Cybersecurity

Is supply-chain risk overstated?

Software is at greater risk of cyber-attack than hardware, but foreign-made gear is still raising concerns.

Digital Government

DOD business systems under fire -- again

A GAO report, echoing longstanding criticisms, diagnoses the causes of DOD's sputtering modernization progress.

Acquisition

GAO urges agencies to learn from private-sector purchasing

Big businesses know how to save money when negotiating contracts. A new report suggests that the government could emulate some commercial practices to good effect.

People

USDA research efforts need management improvements: GAO

Oversight agency critiques collaborative planning and other aspects of Agriculture's research programs.

Digital Government

GAO raps DOD satellite operations

The Defense Department needs to modernize the ground stations and control networks that operate the nation's defense satellites.

Digital Government

GAO dashboard tracks action on recommendations

As annual report on overlap and duplication is released, new Action Tracker monitors agency response to GAO suggestions.

Digital Government

Could feds run afoul of vague 'political intelligence' guidelines?

Though federal employees are often the source of valuable information on rulemaking and other government actions, the definitions and disclosure guidelines remain unclear.

Acquisition

DOD competes fewer contracts

GAO finds more than 30 percent of Pentagon spending went to non-competitive awards in fiscal 2012.

Digital Government

GAO finds IRS still struggling with IT security

Review concludes that progress was made in 2012, but serious problems remain unaddressed.

Digital Government

GAO details the high cost of continuing resolutions

It may be hard for Congress to agree on a budget, but not doing so leads to reduced effectiveness and added expenses.

People

GAO finds Census Bureau vulnerable to cyberattack

A litany of IT shortcomings will put the Census Bureau at the mercy of hackers and other nefarious activity until the agency implements a comprehensive information security program, auditors find.

People

High risk longevity: A graphic look

Who has been on the GAO High-Risk List the longest? Take a look.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Cyber efforts not enough

The government has been faltering on several critical aspects of cybersecurity, GAO finds. Will the president's executive order address the concerns?

Cybersecurity

Why cybersecurity remains a risky endeavor

Cybersecurity is a 'tough nut to crack,' and escalating attacks only make it harder.

Acquisition

DOD struggles to justify sole source awards

A law that took effect in 2011 requires written justification for sole-source contracts when they're worth more than $20 million. Why is DOD finding that a hard rule to follow?

Digital Government

Are citizens' voices heard in rulemaking?

Agencies are often failing to conduct a full public comment process when considering new rules, GAO finds.

People

GAO's call to action in IT management

The government plans to spend $74 billion on IT this year, and needs to tighten its control over programs to prevent cost overruns and missed deadlines.

People

Transportation's acquisition workforce at risk

Poor documentation on attrition and other management lapses strain resources in the Transportation Department's component agencies, audit finds.