Digital Government

Can Project Maven help shape acquisition policy?

The DOD's inspector general found that the lack of a formal documentation process for acquisition metrics and procedures could prevent future growth of Project Maven and similar projects.

Acquisition

Can Project Maven help shape acquisition policy?

The DOD's inspector general found that the lack of a formal documentation process for acquisition metrics and procedures could prevent future growth of Project Maven and similar projects.

Acquisition

GAO uses uses covert testing scheme to assess SBA screening processes

The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.

Cybersecurity

FTC warns of legal risks of failing on Log4j mitigation

The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning this week urging companies to take "reasonable steps" to mitigate known software vulnerabilities or face potential legal consequences, recalling the $700 million settlement Equifax paid for a major breach in 2017.

Digital Government

Tech woes and fraud top the list of unemployment system issues

A new report from a special Pandemic Response Accountability Committee delves into the issues surrounding UI during COVID-19.

Digital Government

Legislation Could Mandate DOD to Review How it Categorizes Drones

The lawmaker that proposed it said he hopes to make it easier for the military to operationalize new UAS technologies.

Policy

Data Broker Sales To Law Enforcement Violate Fourth Amendment, Senator Argues

A Democratic senator promoted his pending privacy legislation as he spoke about the sales of American data to law enforcement agencies.

Digital Government

Better Collaboration Needed Between 18F, USDS To Reduce Overlap, GAO Says

A GAO audit suggests the two offices need to improve communication of IT guidance to reduce overlap and contradiction for federal agencies.

Digital Government

GAO: NSA Erred in Technical Evaluations of $10 Billion Cloud Contract

The Government Accountability Office recommended the NSA reevaluate bids from Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.

People

What’s next for security clearance reform?

Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.

People

Top House Republican pushes back on government telework

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.

Digital Government

Social Security Enjoys Broad Customer Satisfaction As It Overhauls Telephone System

The Social Security Administration has been angling to streamline and automate its call center for quicker customer service.

Emerging Tech

Senator Doubles Down On Data Privacy, Sends Letter to CFPB

Sen. Ron Wyden asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to tighten its rules regarding data broker sales.

Emerging Tech

ACLU Calls for Halt of Homeland Security’s Use Of Facial Recognition Technology

The civil rights organization said that the biometrics technology can lead to discriminatory arrests based on race.

Cybersecurity

OMB Guidance Heralds Automation of FISMA Reporting

The new Federal Information Security Modernization Act guidance also prioritizes security testing and doubles down on CISA’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

People

White House presses for improved agency-IG cooperation

The White House has called for increased collaboration between federal agencies and inspectors general after conducting a review which revealed some agency leaders had not fully communicated their endorsement of IG policies and whistleblower protections to staff.

Emerging Tech

Sixth Member of International Hacking Community Sentenced in SIM Card Scheme

In response to the growing number of SIM hijacking incidents, federal law enforcement is cracking down on perpetrators.

Emerging Tech

FAA Warns Of Holiday Laser-Light Display Dangers To Pilots

2021 broke records for the highest number of annual laser strikes, which can incapacitate pilots and endanger aircraft passengers.

Digital Government

GAO: Better Data Collection Can Improve Homelessness Estimates

Auditors suggest the Housing and Urban Development Department can improve its homeless estimates by gathering better data at the local level.