Digital Government
Capitol rioters planned for weeks in plain sight. The police weren't ready.
For reasons that remained unclear Wednesday night, the law enforcement authorities charged with protecting the nation’s entire legislative branch — nearly all of the 535 members of Congress gathered in a joint session, along with Vice President Mike Pence — were ill-prepared to contain the forces massed against them.
Cybersecurity
Government Watchdogs Launch Cyber-Threat Sharing Assessment
In the wake of the recent hack, Microsoft President Brad Smith said contractual obligations hurt cross-government sharing following breaches.
Digital Government
GAO: Bid Protests Down 2% in 2020
For a second straight year, the Government Accountability Office dealt with fewer bid protests.
Modernization
10 of 15 of DOD’s Major IT Projects Are Behind Schedule, GAO Found
Lack of talent is one of the key reasons Defense officials cited for shortfalls implementing cybersecurity best practices.
Modernization
IG: Last Major CBP System Outage Caused By Code Defect Known for 2 Years
The customs agency could have avoided an August 2019 system outage—and hours of delays for travelers—with better patch management and employee training on backup procedures.
Cybersecurity
FITARA grades mostly stable
Most agencies maintained their grades on the latest FITARA scorecard, but the new telecom category produced some failing marks.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: Treasury Briefing Reignites Encryption Debate
Here are the news and updates you may have missed.
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.
Cybersecurity
CISA: SolarWinds' Orion may not be only entry point for hackers
CISA's latest alert suggests hackers may have found other entry points into the federal government's networks than just the IT management software suite.
Cybersecurity
GAO Issues ‘Wake-Up Call’ Report on Agencies’ Lax Supply Chain Security Management
The bottom line is that none of the 23 agencies audited fully implemented foundational risk management practices.
Cybersecurity
After Solar Winds, it's time for a National Software Security Act
The time has come for Congress to regulate security in the software industry by mandating minimal best practices for software companies selling software products or services in America.
Digital Government
New bill would shed light on 'midnight regulations'
A new bill would require the Government Accountability Office to provide Congress with information about rules published during the ending days of the Trump administration.
People
Longtime agency watchdog to head CIGIE
The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency elected the Inspector General of the National Science Foundation as its new chairperson.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Risks Falling Short on Electromagnetic Spectrum Goals, GAO Finds
The Defense Department needs to improve governance and oversight of EMS strategies in order to maintain operational control, according to a new audit.
People
Gender pay gap persists in the federal workforce
Incomplete data on promotion by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission limit the ability of agencies to ensure equal opportunity for promotions across gender, race and ethnicity, the report says.
Digital Government
DHS IG Opens Probe into Warrantless Cellphone Tracking
The investigation is in response to a Congressional inquiry about Customs and Border Protection getting location data from phones.
Artificial Intelligence
GAO: AI Promising in Health Care, but Challenges Remain
The nascent technology is leading to positive health care outcomes, but issues may impede widespread adoption.
Emerging Tech
The Defense Department IG Outlined the Pentagon’s Top Challenges. Here’s Where Tech Fits In.
Two new challenges added this year focus on technological dominance and data as a strategic asset. Tech like hypersonics, microelectronics, AI, 5G and biotechnology were also highlighted.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog says Pentagon's effort to 'harmonize' cyber is lacking
A new Government Accountability Office report says the Pentagon's architecture to unify its cyber efforts lacks governance structure and goals.
Modernization