Cybersecurity

Cryptocurrency tracking improves -- but how?

The IRS and other tax enforcement agencies are touting big improvements in tracing the use of cryptocurrencies in tax evasion and other criminal schemes. They just don't want to talk about how.

Digital Government

Bid Protests Hit 10-Year Low

Companies filed 16% fewer bid protests in fiscal 2019 than the year prior.

Modernization

NSA says it can collect metadata for encrypted comms

During a hearing to discuss reauthorization for a number of controversial spying authorities, intelligence and law enforcement officials indicated they could sweep up logistical records related to encrypted communications.

Modernization

Oracle pushes ahead with JEDI appeal

After Microsoft's win in the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud contract, Oracle is still looking for a court to force the contract to be rebid.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard plans drone intercept program

The U.S. Coast Guard is developing a counter-drone capability to protect both its own locations and to guard protected assets under special circumstances as provided for under a recent law.

Digital Government

GAO imagines the future of oversight

In a new Innovation Lab, a vision of audit tech with big data and expanded reach begins to take shape.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Census Risks Missing Deadlines on 15 IT Systems Ahead of 2020 

With Census Day less than six months away, officials have no room for error in system development, testing and deployment.

People

Agencies lag on IT workforce planning, GAO says

The congressional watchdog warned that agencies are putting billions in spending at risk by not taking steps to raise skills and competencies in the IT workforce.

Acquisition

An insider's guide to avoiding procurement fraud

Outright criminal procurement fraud is thankfully rare, but compliance issues in federal contracting often have legal ramifications. Good communication can help, according to a new book.

Digital Government

DOD data strategy nearing release

Navy chief data officer says the final draft should be out in November, with service-specific implementation plans to follow.

People

Blackburn presses DOD management chief on Fourth Estate cuts

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) pressed DOD's acting chief management officer for answers on why the Pentagon can't find more cuts in Fourth Estate agencies.

Cybersecurity

Lieu seeks answers from White House about cybersecurity purge

A member of Congress wants Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to answer for recent reports that indicate the White House's cybersecurity team has been gutted.

People

AFGE president takes leave in the wake of sexual harassment allegations

J. David Cox says the charges, from at least 10 employees, are "scurrilous, politically-motivated attacks."

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker pushes online verification to combat disinformation

Mandatory ID checks for social media platforms could help fight propaganda, but experts worry about privacy tradeoffs.

Digital Government

Some movement in the Senate on funding, but concerns remain

The Senate is moving ahead on a package of funding bills with bipartisan support, but spending levels for homeland security and defense continue dog lawmakers, with a shutdown still a possibility.

Digital Government

Security, modernization and people are key IRS challenges

The IRS should focus the next year on modernizing IT, improving security controls for its primary e-filing tool, eliminating critical vulnerabilities in servers used for personal devices and addressing its "serious" human capital crisis, according to Treasury auditors.

Cybersecurity

Senate investigation pins CPSC breaches on 'incompetence'

Poor software design and lack of trainings were found to be responsible for a series of data breaches that touched 10,000 manufactures and 30,000 consumers.

Digital Government

Election security lessons from Illinois

Officials express confidence that 2020 won't be a repeat of 2016, but testimony from state and local officials indicate that substantial security holes still exist.

Modernization

GAO Wants To Know The Best Way To Buy a Modernization Strategy

The agency plans to upgrade its content management and delivery systems, as well as its talent management tools. But first, it needs to decide on the best way to buy a modernization strategy.