Cybersecurity

GAO: NCCIC needs to clarify operating principles

The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center "generally performs required functions" but it needs to further evaluate and clarify its operating principles and performance metrics, says GAO.

Cybersecurity

GAO Sees Room for Improvement in DHS’ Cyber Ops Center

The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center needs to ensure it's speaking with the full range of critical infrastructure owners, the watchdog says.

People

Shulkin pledges no 'learning curve' as VA secretary

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee conducted a bipartisan hearing to elevate current VA Undersecretary for Health to lead the agency, while elsewhere in the legislative chamber, panels were at odds over other Trump cabinet picks.

Modernization

How cyber info sharing helps keep the lights on

At a House hearing, electricity industry reps said that information sharing between private sector and government is essential to mitigating cyber threats.

People

House Oversight to tackle IT and workforce, but probably not Trump's potential conflicts

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved a work plan for the 115th Congress that includes key reauthorizations and IT oversight, but Democrats on the panel wanted to hear more about President Trump's finances.

Digital Government

IG reports hiccups in GSA's cloud adoption

IG audits just released show as managed services pioneer GSA had to absorb some early lessons about cloud security.

People

Chaffetz bill targets feds who owe back taxes

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is looking at changes to workforce and procurement policies, including a bid to crack down on federal employees who have "seriously delinquent" tax debt.

Cybersecurity

Senators drill down on 2018 defense spending

Just a month after the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act became law, the Senate Armed Services Committee is starting the process of formulating the 2018 defense budget.

Cybersecurity

Chaffetz backs Trump's tough line on feds

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) sketched his priorities for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, but Democrats want to see a formal plan.

Digital Government

DHS IG Says Immigration System Could Grant Citizenship to National Security Threats

The inspector general made the urgent recommendation to stop the department from reactivating the system.

Digital Government

DHS watchdog warns agency on ELIS system

DHS Inspector General urged the Citizenship and Immigration Services to keep the struggling Electronic Immigration System unplugged.

Cybersecurity

DHS tackles backlog of unauthorized IT systems

A report by the agency's inspector general says DHS has made progress in cybersecurity training, dual-factor authentication and certifying systems, but more 50 of its unclassified systems still lack authorities to operate.

People

GAO reports billions in savings linked to oversight efforts

In its end of the year summary, the Government Accountability Office reported billions of dollars in federal savings and progress in addressing its management challenges.

Cybersecurity

House panel probes DHS scans of state election tech

Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz wants the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general to look more deeply into reports of unauthorized scans of Georgia's network firewall.

Digital Government

DOD official takes aim at interference from Congress

Frank Kendall, the outgoing and possibly last undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, says congressional attempts to reform acquisition do more harm than good.

Cybersecurity

House leaders back plan to authorize DHS

The Department of Homeland Security hasn't been authorized by Congress since it was created in 2002, but a move to change that is gaining momentum in the House.

Digital Government

DATA Act deadline signals need for upgrades

While most CFO Act agencies expect to hit the May deadline of the DATA Act, some agencies will need to change their accounting practices and upgrade their systems.

People

Cyber plays small role in cordial Mattis hearing

The Senate panel reviewing the nomination of James Mattis, a retired Marine general, to head the Defense Department focused on strategic threats and agency priorities, including Russia, nuclear modernization, the Pentagon budget and to a small extent, cyber.