Digital Government

Watchdog urges IRS to expand e-filing

The inspector general at IRS wants the agency to ditch its error prone and largely manual process for examining amended individual tax returns and allow users to submit their changes through the same streamlined e-filing portal used for original returns.

Cybersecurity

You’re Probably Not Getting $125 from Equifax Claims, FTC Warns

A rapid influx of claims is already exhausting the $31 million fund for payouts. 

Modernization

Agencies Should Be More Transparent About Public Comments, GAO Says

By defining and disclosing how they handle commenters’ information, agencies could help combat identity fraud and other abuses, auditors said.

Cybersecurity

Agencies Still Falling Short on Cyber Standards, GAO Says

Despite thousands of watchdog recommendations and a growing array of digital threats, agencies are still dropping the ball on cybersecurity, auditors found.

Cybersecurity

Watchdog Uncovers Cyber Gaps at Radioactive Waste Facility

The Energy Department failed to secure the site in line with federal cyber standards.

Digital Government

Small Agencies Need Shared Services Providers to Step Up DATA Act Support

Large departments are assisting smaller agencies in meeting their DATA Act requirements through shared services providers. But that help isn’t always so helpful.

Cybersecurity

IRS Still Has Dozens of Cyber Fixes to Make From Last Year

Numerous security deficiencies in the agency’s IT ecosystem could leave data on millions of taxpayers at risk, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Cybersecurity

Census Chief Assures Lawmakers IT and Cyber Risks are Under Control

But with less than a year until the 2020 count kicks off, the bureau still has little room for error, the Government Accountability Office warns.

Digital Government

High-Level Vacancies Are Weakening Agency Management and Oversight, Lawmaker Says

Rep. Gerry Connolly’s comments marked the release of a bipartisan report recommending ways agencies can deliver better on their missions.

Cybersecurity

NSA Isn’t Always Following Its Own Cybersecurity Policies, Watchdog Says

The NSA Inspector General found the agency has “room for improvement” in every IT security category outlined in FISMA.

Acquisition

Federal contractor sentenced

A federal contractor who also served as a Virginia state legislator was sentenced by a federal judge for defrauding the government to get small business contracts.

People

House Dems welcome watchdog probe of FBI building

The Department of Justice Inspector General is launching a probe into the decision to scuttle a longstanding plan to move FBI headquarters to a suburban location and allow commercial development on the current downtown site.

Modernization

Watchdog: Poor Oversight Put GSA’s $50B Telecom Transition Over Schedule, Over Budget

The agency hired contractors to help with a smooth transition but ended up spending lots of money for little movement.

Digital Government

CBP Approving ‘Potentially High-Risk’ People for Trusted Traveler Program 

The Homeland Security Department Inspector General found officers aren’t properly vetting applicants for the Global Entry program or checking their status at ports of entry.

Modernization

Lawmakers: OMB ‘Skirting the Intent of the Law’ With New Data Center Policy

The administration’s shift in focus to optimization, rather than closures, is not what lawmakers envisioned when they passed FITARA.

Cybersecurity

Agencies Are Leaving Sensitive Data Vulnerable to Hackers, Congress Says

Amid growing threats from China, Iran and Russia, most agencies are struggling to put in place even the most basic cybersecurity measures, according to congressional researchers.