Digital Government

Technologists, privacy advocates push back against algorithmic 'extreme vetting'

The Trump administration's plan to use predictive software to rate threats posed by immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers will result in discriminatory decisions, say a group of privacy advocates and computer scientists.

Modernization

What's behind agency FITARA scores?

Agencies shared the stories behind improved, declining and stable FITARA grades.

Digital Government

IGs seek more access, authority, resources

A panel of inspectors general are seeking greater access, subpoena power and more resources to hire staff and increase transparency and oversight work across the government.

Cybersecurity

White House goes public with bug disclosure policy

The Trump administration is pulling back the curtain a bit on the secretive process by which the government discloses (or retains) computer vulnerabilities.

Digital Government

FITARA progress stalls

Federal CIOs under the Trump administration have seen progress lag on implementing the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, according to the latest scorecards.

Acquisition

Army IT official sentenced in bribery scheme

Ranier Ramos, formerly of the U.S. Army Public Health Command, will serve a year in federal prison and pay millions in penalties and restitution.

Digital Government

DATA Act oversight highlights growing pains

The first round of oversight reports on financial reporting under the Data Act shows that most agencies are experiencing growing pains when it comes to implementing the recent law. Does that mean it's working?

Acquisition

Judge rules protestor couldn't compete for Vista replacement

In a recently unsealed ruling, a federal judge also noted that the administrative record lacks detail on why specifically Cerner was selected as the prime contractor for the replacement electronic health record system.

Modernization

Agencies failing key agile test

An oversight report found that most agencies were failing to certify implementation of incremental development on some major software projects.

Cybersecurity

DHS Cyber Info Sharing Focuses on Quantity Over Quality, IG Says

The department is sharing a lot of cyber threat indicators with agencies and the private sector, but only a handful are useful.

Cybersecurity

OPM still plagued by cyber weaknesses, IG finds

An oversight report found the OPM was unready for its annual cyber audit, while the agency says that the CDM program will help mature its efforts.

Cybersecurity

IG: Compliance alone will not save DHS cyber efforts

An oversight report gives passing grades to DHS on compliance with core tenets of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 – but offers the agency a stark warning that its threat and information sharing efforts are still falling short.

Cybersecurity

S&T budget woes could blunt DHS research

The mission of the research arm of the Department of Homeland Security isn't helped by new budget priorities, a former undersecretary told a House Homeland Security subcommittee.

People

Clock ticking on officials in acting roles

The Vacancies Act sets time limits on the period for acting officials to occupy politically appointed roles -- and some of these officials are about to run out of time.

Modernization

Lawmakers look to keep close tabs on VA's health record switch

A bipartisan quartet of lawmakers introduced legislation that would compel the Department of Veterans Affairs to document how it plans to implement its new electronic health record system.

Modernization

Why GAO nixed the Census mobile deal

Census made several key slipups in its decision to award a $283 million mobile device contract for the 2020 population count, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Cybersecurity

GAO Says Cybersecurity is Top Concern for 2020 Census

The Census Bureau has only tested four of 43 systems needed for the 2020 Census.

Cybersecurity

U.S. ports lack key cyber tools

The NotPetya attack in June that briefly crippled shipping giant Maersk is a reminder that maritime cybersecurity vulnerability is a problem with global reach.

Cybersecurity

IG: EPA infosec needs better management

The EPA's internal watchdog praised the agency's information security program, but says improved management and training program are required to protect data.

Cybersecurity

Can dark fiber help secure the energy grid?

Sen. Bill Cassidy is interested in the possibility of legislation to support an isolated networks that can conceal and protect the electric grid.