Cybersecurity
TSA ramps up fuel pipeline cyber strategy
At a Senate hearing, the TSA administrator updated lawmakers on the implementation of two recent cybersecurity directives issued in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.
Modernization
Why VA's electronic health record mega-project is failing
The agency's former top technology official explains how management problems, reliance on outmoded development methodology and lack of customer buy-in are combining to sink (for now) a critical modernization project at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Digital Government
DHS lacks comprehensive strategy to counter violent extremism, report says
The Department of Homeland Security is failing to assess critical external factors and has not yet implemented a data governance framework while developing strategies around terrorism prevention, a new report warns.
Modernization
DOD may be 'overly optimistic' with IT program risks, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office found that DOD often underestimated risks to IT programs compared to its own assessments.
Cybersecurity
Tech can help, but clearance reciprocity is a policy issue
The backlog of security clearance investigations has continued to drop from a 2018 high of 725,000 to 200,000, but agencies continue to struggle with reciprocity issues.
Cybersecurity
TSA's role in pipeline security looks like a weak link to some in government and industry
Questions about whether TSA is rightly positioned to oversee cybersecurity for natural gas and oil pipelines are resurfacing in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.
People
Boosting student loan debt forgiveness could pay off for cyber recruiting
Almost all Defense Department personnel who have sought student loan debt forgiveness have been denied -- a trend that, if unchanged, could make it even harder to recruit and retain tech talent.
People
Dismantling the 'old boys' club' at State
Several witnesses scrutinized the State Department's placement and promotion practices when it comes to minority foreign service officers.
Modernization
VA chief looks at spend, productivity on $16B health record modernization plan
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough told House lawmakers on Thursday that performance and joint execution were issues driving the 12-week "strategic review" of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program.
Cybersecurity
Impatient lawmakers press Biden for cyber director nominee
President Joe Biden has said cybersecurity will be a top priority for his administration, but two senior positions focused on the issue remain either vacant or held by an acting official.
Modernization
GAO warns on cyber risks to power grid
The country's electrical systems are increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks, according to government auditors, and there is uncertainty about the extent to which a localized attack might cascade through power distribution systems.
Cybersecurity
House panel advances industrial control systems bill
New legislation puts the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the center of federal response to threats to computerized industrial systems.
Cybersecurity
Vague contract language hampers cybersecurity for weapons systems, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office found that missing or vague cybersecurity requirements in acquisitions contracts for weapons systems often led to DOD getting a system that didn't meet its security needs.
People
Human capital woes make high-risk operations worse, GAO says
Strategic human capital management has fallen by the wayside, and that is taking a toll on government operations.
Acquisition
GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending
As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.
Modernization
Watchdog: pause on VA's $16B electronic health records project might be needed
The Government Accountability Office wants the VA Secretary to postpone new installations of the Cerner electronic health record while the agency irons out the most serious system problems.
Cybersecurity
Foster plans push for digital ID legislation
Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) said today he will likely reintroduce a bipartisan bill to improve the country's fragmentary digital identity verification systems.
Digital Government
Accenture rebuffed again in Healthcare.gov protest
Accenture Federal Services lost yet another protest in its effort to hold on to a contract operating the Healthcare.gov exchange that connects health insurance applicants to coverage available under the Affordable Care Act.
People
State Dept. can't justify move to open cyber office, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office says the State Department failed to justify the scope and organizational placement of a new office that was greenlighted in the final days of the Trump administration.
People
GAO tracks diversity in the intelligence community
Although steps have been taken to address workforce diversity, a recent report underscored gaps in strategic planning among intelligence community elements.
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