People

The government reorganization plan: There may be a pony in there after all

Attention and criticism have focused on the proposed org-chart changes, Alan Balutis notes, but the real opportunities lie elsewhere.

Cybersecurity

DOJ backtracks on linking OPM hack to fraud case

The Justice Department acknowledged that a news release connecting a fraud case with the massive data theft of employee data at OPM was "premature."

Cybersecurity

There’s Even More Bad News About IRS Information Security

A board charged with overseeing the agency’s sprawling active directory networks isn’t fulfilling its basic responsibilities.

Cybersecurity

Auditor Dings CFPB Complaint System for Poor Identity Management

The system is doing better on patching vulnerabilities and continuously monitoring activity for anomalies.

Modernization

NTIA blocks China Mobile's bid for U.S. presence

The NTIA tells the FCC that China Mobile is a potential national security threat if it is allowed to provide international services from the U.S.

Modernization

Watchdog: GSA isn't clearing all contactors for work on telecom transition

According to an oversight memo, GSA didn't complete required background checks on all contractors working on transition duties for the $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Systems contract.

People

Lankford dishes on the future of the federal workforce

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) spoke with FCW about his workforce priorities as well as the White House's reorganization plan.

People

Lawmakers question goals of reorganization plan

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle raised concerns about various aspects of the White House's plan to structurally reorganize the federal government.

Acquisition

MGT money zeroed out in Senate funding bill

After receiving $100 million in funding last year, money for the Technology Modernization Fund in fiscal year 2019 may not be a sure thing.

Cybersecurity

IRS’ Rush to Secure Exposed Taxpayer Data Left It Vulnerable Again

Personal information about more than 350,000 taxpayers was compromised in 2015. Three years later, it’s still not secure.

Cybersecurity

Audit finds another cyber headache for IRS

Two years after the Get Transcript breach, officials at the tax agency are still getting dinged for insufficient protection of sensitive taxpayer data.

People

Will Trump's reorg plan get a boost from Congress?

The White House proposed a wide-ranging plan that would consolidate and reorganize cabinet-level agencies, but it won't get far without backing from Congress.

Modernization

Lawmakers question Google-Huawei partnership

Five Capitol Hill security hawks are asking Google CEO Sundar Pichai to justify a partnership with Chinese telecommunications manufacturer Huawei.

People

21 House Republicans ask Trump to rescind workforce orders

A group of 21 Republican lawmakers wants the Trump administration to reconsider three executive orders on federal unions that they say undermine existing labor laws.

Cybersecurity

Interior IG: Nation’s Dams Safe From Hacks But Vulnerable to Insider Threats

An inspector general review exposes significant weaknesses to dam cybersecurity that have grown more serious over time.

Cybersecurity

Warner seeks fix for clearance backlog

Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner proposed new cost transparency and processing goals to reform the federal security clearance process.

Digital Government

Bid to revive Capitol Hill tech office fails

On a mostly party-line vote, the House rejected an effort bring back the Office of Technology Assessment.

Cybersecurity

GAO Probing FCC Claims of Denial-of-Service Attack

Critics have questioned whether the FCC’s commenting site was actually hit with a distributed denial-of-service attack or just deluged with comments opposing net neutrality repeal.