Digital Government

IG Finds Legacy System to Blame for Delayed DHS Data Reporting

The system the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses to track a flood insurance program lacks automation, slowing DATA Act-required reporting down.

Modernization

IRS Doesn’t Know How Many Legacy Systems It Has or How Much They Cost, IG Says

The tax agency needs to start with a single definition of what constitutes a “legacy system.”

Digital Government

Lawmakers Ask Watchdog to Review New Coronavirus Data Reporting System Housed Within HHS 

“We are concerned that these reporting changes undermine the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts,” wrote top House Energy and Commerce Committee members. 

Cybersecurity

GAO rejects bid by DHS to rescind opinion on illegal appointments

The Government Accountability Office is sticking to its guns on its legal opinion that states that top officials at the Department Homeland Security were elevated in violation of federal law.

Modernization

7 of 10 Agencies Respond to Senator’s Request for IT Modernization Plans

Sen. Maggie Hassan asked for updates on the government’s 10 legacy systems previously flagged as most in need of an update.

Digital Government

IG: Agriculture Employees, Contractors Aren’t Being Disciplined for Improper Use of Agency Networks

The watchdog said inconsistent policies and reporting structures have led to minimal repercussions for people using agency IT in unauthorized ways.

Cybersecurity

With the clock ticking, a House committee looks to election security

Election readiness, the cybersecurity fallout from COVID-induced telework and network monitoring and will be key areas of focus for House Homeland Security Democrats this year.

Cybersecurity

IRS Granted Tens of Thousands of Devices Network Access Without Proper Authentication

Most devices accessing the Internal Revenue Service’s internal network using wireless connections and virtual private networks weren’t authenticated, according to an audit. 

Cybersecurity

Senate's latest Russia report backs new rules for cyber vendors

Federal investigators may need new authorities to probe cybersecurity breaches in sensitive non-governmental networks, according to the declassified version of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's report on foreign interference in the 2016 election.

Cybersecurity

DHS slams assertions that leaders were illegally appointed

The agency's top lawyer argued that a Government Accountability Office legal opinion was flawed and politically motivated.

Modernization

DHS gets mixed reviews on IT modernization

The agency is seeing uneven results on two of its most important efforts, cloud migration and data center consolidation, according to a new agency watchdog report.

Cybersecurity

GAO: DHS acting secretary, top deputy were appointed illegally

Top acting officials at DHS were appointed without regard for laws in place governing agency succession, according to a Government Accountability Office legal opinion.

Digital Government

Connolly balks at FEVS delays

The head of the subcommittee with oversight of the federal workforce is accusing the Office of Personnel Management of "mishandling" the government's annual employee survey.

Cybersecurity

GAO to Suggest More than 100 Ways to Secure Federal IT Supply Chains

An upcoming GAO report will provide recommendations for civilian federal agencies to secure their global supply chains.

Modernization

Senate bill would extend full-time federal telework for duration of COVID emergency

The bill also would steer Technology Modernization Fund dollars to agency efforts to improve telework activities.

Modernization

Agencies Off-Pace to Switch to New Telecom Contract Before Cutoff Date, GAO Says

The latest FITARA scorecard showed what percentage of operations have moved off old infrastructure contracts—and the numbers aren’t good. 

Modernization

VA Restarts Electronic Health Record Rollout

The initial deployment at a Spokane, Washington, medical center is now scheduled for October, while the new scheduling system will begin rolling out in August.

Digital Government

Senate Dems cast doubt on DOD watchdog pick

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said Jason Abend's nomination circumvented a vetting process set up by the 2008 Inspector General Reform Act.

Acquisition

Lawmakers push back on STARS shutoff date

Changes the GSA made to one of its most popular governmentwide small business set-aside acquisition vehicles draws congressional scrutiny.