Digital Government

House Oversight Dems Seeking Data From Social Media Companies About Threats to Law Enforcement

Lawmakers are demanding information from online platforms about how they are responding to growing threats against law enforcement officials following the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago.

Digital Government

CISA's Cyber Info Sharing Program Didn't Always Deliver, Watchdog Says

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not always provide more than 300 participants of a public-private cyber threat partnership with actionable information to address potential vulnerabilities, according to an oversight report.

Cybersecurity

Interior’s Cyber Threat Detection and Defenses are Sufficient, OIG Finds

According to the inspector general’s memorandum, the Department of the Interior detected simulated malicious attacks and responded properly, making improvements from 2015 and 2018 evaluations.

Cybersecurity

CISA's cyber info sharing program didn't always deliver, watchdog says

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not always provide more than 300 participants of a public-private cyber threat partnership with actionable information to address potential vulnerabilities, according to an oversight report.

Policy

What does the federal government buy from data brokers?

The chairmen of two House committees want federal agencies to explain what they are doing with "billions of data points on hundreds of millions of Americans" acquired from data brokers.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Push IRS on Backlog and Customer Service Problems

The agency says it's aiming to get to a "healthy" backlog level by the end of the year, but in June, the National Taxpayer Advocate said that would be "difficult" for the agency to do.

People

A former watchdog has ideas on dealing with poorly performing inspectors general

The former acting Pentagon inspector general asks, “Who is watching the watchdogs?”

Policy

Senate chairman presses for details on deleted Jan. 6 texts

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, wants officials to explain what they know about the deletion of texts potentially relevant to ongoing inquiries into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and why seemingly routine records management directives were ignored.

Cybersecurity

VA Systems Vulnerable to Cyber Intrusions Due to Lack of Effective Oversight, Report Says

The Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's office said the agency is "leaving its systems vulnerable to compromise by impostors who may gain access to protected information."

Emerging Tech

Treasury Sanctions Cryptocurrency Mixer

The online digital money platform has proven to act as a haven for cyber criminals looking to launder illegal cryptocurrencies.

Digital Government

DOD Failing to Track Progress on Military Alternatives to GPS, GAO Says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Cybersecurity

Finance Sector Deals Latest Blow to Cyber Solarium Construct Teetering in NDAA

Congress will return from the August recess faced once again with the challenge of building cybersecurity policy for private providers of critical infrastructure faster than industry can tear it down.

Modernization

Over 20,000 Veterans Received VHA iPads but Never Used Them for Virtual Care

An inspector general review found that the agency was also slow to get devices back so they could be redistributed.

Cybersecurity

DOD failing to track progress on military alternatives to GPS, GAO says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Policy

A new bill seeks to prevent the Secret Service from withholding records from its watchdog

“While I share the concerns of my colleagues about the actions of the current inspector general, it is also clear the Secret Service tried to impede the inspector general’s investigation into the events of Jan. 6,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Modernization

5G Presents a Need for Spectrum Coordination Among Federal Agencies

A Senate hearing underscored the need for federal telecommunication agency teamwork surrounding 5G spectrum deployment.

Acquisition

Senate passes bill to root out conflicts of interest in federal contracting

The Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act sets new disclosure requirements and expands authorities for federal contracting officers. 

Digital Government

Audits of CBP’s Facial Recognition Partners ‘Vital to Building Trust,’ Lawmaker Says

The agency has “a ways to go” in auditing facial recognition partners for privacy and security, a watchdog noted.

Cybersecurity

Banking Groups Urge Senators to Reject NDAA Provision as Harmful to Cybersecurity

The provision for identifying “systemically important entities” included in the House-passed NDAA could still hitch a ride on the massive defense bill when it’s called to the floor in the upper chamber.