Digital Government

Watchdogs worried about DOJ's tech

Oversight officials told Congress they are concerned about the Justice Department's cybersecurity, use of unreliable tech and inability to track contract and grant spending.

Digital Government

Trump hotel lease is valid, says GSA

The lease President Trump signed with the GSA for the Old Post Office building in Washington is in compliance, an agency contracting officer said.

Modernization

GAO: Optimize Data Centers or Lose Them

Progress on closing data centers is mixed and the government’s optimization efforts are worse.

Digital Government

House panel takes on government transparency

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee explored legislative means to increase transparency in government at a March 23 hearing.

Cybersecurity

Spy powers at risk amid Trump controversy

The growing controversy around foreign surveillance and Trump associates is adding fuel to what's already expected to be a fiery debate in Congress over the reauthorization of FISA Section 702.

Acquisition

IG: Census underestimates costs of 2020 count

Inaccurate assumptions in the Census Bureau's 2016 test plan are contributing to the agency's underestimation of what the 2020 enumeration will cost.

Cybersecurity

Comey confirms FBI is investigating Trump-Russia links

FBI director James Comey also told the House intel panel there is no evidence to support President Trump's wiretapping tweets, and the FBI is investigating whether there was coordination between Trump campaign officials and associates and Russia.

Modernization

McCaskill pushes DHS to clarify rules for election aid

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) pushed DHS for clarity on what exactly the designation of election systems as critical infrastructure will mean for states.

Digital Government

When 'compliance' should be a dirty word

Steve Kelman makes the case that using the word "comply" can have unintended consequences.

Cybersecurity

Watchdog: DHS social media screening lacks objectives

Two DHS components launched social media screening pilots in the wake of the San Bernardino shooting. The agency's internal watchdog wants to see improved coordination and measurable goals.

Modernization

VA chief swears off software development

In his most pointed comments on IT to date, David Shulkin, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said that the agency will move to off-the-shelf software.

Cybersecurity

FDIC leads agencies in major cyber incidents

The bank regulator was responsible for 10 of 16 major information security incidents recorded in the FY2016 FISMA report.

Acquisition

How budget sequestration affected contracting

Defense agency contract obligations for IT and telecom services dipped over the last five years under the Budget Control Act, even as civilian side obligations held steady.

Digital Government

Chaffetz, Cummings push White House on records

A bipartisan letter from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee seeks information on Trump administration compliance with federal recordkeeping laws.

Cybersecurity

IGs: budget cuts could put cybersecurity at risk

Inspectors general fear that budget cuts could force agencies to choose between spending on program operations and cybersecurity.

Digital Government

Can IGs and agencies agree to a code of conduct?

Steve Kelman argues "The Art of the Deal" offers a possible path to more constructive oversight.

Cybersecurity

Why the private sector is key to cybersecurity

There is only so much the military can do to protect the country in cyberspace, expert witnesses at a House hearing said, so Congress should invest more is supporting the private sector.

Digital Government

IG: Commerce lags on Data Act

The Department of Commerce is behind on its Data Act preparations and risks missing a key May deadline, the agency watchdog warned.

Cybersecurity

Border drones and aerostats need better coordination

Although Customs and Border Protection coordinates its airborne border surveillance aircraft with other agencies, it needs to refine some specifics, according to a GAO report.

Cybersecurity

States balk at election system move by DHS

A group of state officials formally opposed the DHS critical infrastructure designation for election systems and want it rescinded.