Cybersecurity
How petabytes are crushing the security classification system
The official in charge of overseeing the federal government's information classification policy is warning that the current system is beginning to break – and he wants help and money to fix it.
Cybersecurity
The Army is Falling Behind on Staffing Cyber Units, GAO Says
As of March, the cyber and electronic warfare units the Army deployed last year had less than 40% of their combined positions filled.
Digital Government
Windows 7 woes crash into 2020 election cycle
Financial, technical and bureaucratic hurdles are making it more difficult for states to patch their election-related software and move on from an expiring Windows operating system.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog: Hiring freeze increased cyber risk at State
An extended hiring freeze at the Department of State delayed key cybersecurity initiatives and placed highly classified information at risk, according to a watchdog report.
Cybersecurity
Battle lines forming over surveillance authority
Advocates for eliminating or curtailing one of the government's main Patriot Act surveillance authorities are gearing up for battle, but questions remain whether Congress will be receptive to the message.
Modernization
Defense Department Inspector General Clarifies JEDI Involvement
The Pentagon’s IG is reviewing complaints from multiple sources.
Cybersecurity
Energy Department Never Blacklists Risky Nuclear Tech Vendors, GAO Says
The process is too time-consuming and narrow to be effective, according to officials at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Modernization
DOD watchdog announces JEDI review
The Pentagon's internal watchdog announced in its first public statement on the matter that it was reviewing the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure program – a massive, single-award cloud computing buy with a ceiling value of $10 billion that is set to be awarded in the coming weeks.
Digital Government
GAO Wants Tech to Shed Light on the Commercial Offices It Rents
The agency is inviting interested small business vendors to submit a quote by early September.
Digital Government
Post Office IG wants tech help desk
The USPS watchdog shares computer support with the OIG at Peace Corps.
Cybersecurity
Postal Service Watchdog Finds New Vulnerability During Security Audit
The inspector general warned exposure could “have a serious negative impact to the Postal Service brand.”
People
USDA IG says relocation plans may violate laws
An oversight report states that the Department of Agriculture may have skirted appropriations laws in its push to move two research agencies from Washington, D.C. to the Kansas City region.
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.
Digital Government
Will Hurd, The Most Vocal Lawmaker on Federal IT Issues, Won’t Seek Reelection
The three-term congressman plans to keep pushing on government IT issues from the private sector.
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
New data center metrics to show up in FITARA scorecard
CIOs want FITARA scoring to grow as federal IT does, but not sprint ahead.
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