People

GSA wants more info on Trump's D.C. hotel plans

On the heels of the president-elect's raucous Jan. 11 press conference, the General Services Administration wants more details on the future of the Trump Hotel doing business in a government building.

Cybersecurity

Border wall isn't enough, intel on Russian hacking accurate, DHS nominee says

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. John Kelly, the would-be leader of the Department of Homeland Security told a Senate panel that a border wall is inadequate and embraced the accuracy of U.S. intelligence on Russian cyber intrusions, and information operations.

People

Watchdog: improper workforce incentives could cost VA millions

The Department of Veterans Affairs awards incentives to attract and retain skilled employees in hard-to-fill positions, but their unauthorized and improper uses could lead to millions of dollars in unsupported spending, according to a recent inspector general report.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers, CSIS unveil cyber recommendations for Trump administration

A cybersecurity task force recommended that the Trump administration move quickly to improve and reorganize oversight authorities, elevate the role of the White House cybersecurity coordinator and clarify the cyber defense roles of civilian and military agencies.

Cybersecurity

Senators support intel findings on Russia, call for deterrence policy

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee expressed support for the intelligence community and its assessment that Russia hacked Democratic Party servers to influence the election and called for more defined cyber deterrence policy.

People

House rule change puts feds at risk of job and pay cuts

The one-year revival of the Holman Rule in the House gives lawmakers the authority to reduce the federal workforce or cut employee pay legislatively.

Cybersecurity

U.S. sanctions Russia and releases hacking report

The Obama administration announced a long-awaited response to Russia's election-related hacking, but many view it as too little too late.

People

What to make of the NDAA's latest DOD reorgs

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act splits the undersecretary of acquisition, technology and logistics position into two new undersecretary roles -- one focused on acquisition, the other on innovation. What does that mean for the future of defense tech?

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers: Snowden a fabricator, not a whistleblower

Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who stole and leaked sensitive documents was a disgruntled employee and liar who is in league with Russian intelligence, says a newly declassified House Intelligence Committee report.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers warn against weakening encryption

A congressional working group studying encryption has concluded that strong encryption is in the national interest, but needs of law enforcement must be accommodated.

People

Prison sentence for GSA Advantage fraudster

A former Defense Department procurement official will serve nearly three years in prison for stealing and reselling millions of dollars of equipment and material obtained through GSA's online shopping and ordering system.

Cybersecurity

House panel seeks new rules for Stingrays

Technology used by law enforcement agencies to track the location of a cell phone needs to be better regulated, a House report concluded.

Digital Government

DOD watchdog lists top 10 challenges for 2017

The Pentagon Inspector General's office has released its Fiscal Year 2017 Oversight Plan that focuses on 10 performance and management challenges facing the DOD, including cyber.

Acquisition

GAO sustains more protests in 2016

The GAO's annual bid protest report to Congress shows a spike in the number of protests filed.

Digital Government

Obama signs bill clarifying IG authority

At the close of his administration, President Obama signed into law a measure that specifies access for inspectors general to agency information.

Cybersecurity

Watchdog: DOD needs to improve cybersecurity

Despite taking steps to improve cybersecurity, the Department of Defense reportedly is still coming up short on securing its cyber networks, systems and infrastructure.

Modernization

IG: State's consular tech upgrade is slow going

Despite improvements in management, the effort to modernize the State Department's disparate consular IT systems is lagging, and the office that manages these legacy systems is understaffed, according to a recent inspector general report.

People

GSA in the crosshairs on Trump lease

House Democrats and others say that President-elect Donald Trump will be in breach of his lease on the Old Post Office when he takes office, but the General Services Administration is not taking a position for now.

Modernization

IG: VA wasted more than $7M in poorly-planned tech refresh

Technology buyers at the Department of Veterans Affairs wasted more than $7 million in software licenses and hardware in an uncoordinated tech refresh, according to the agency's internal watchdog.

Cybersecurity

Dems push for Russia hacking investigation

The ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and others in Congress including one top Republican want to air allegations of Russian cyber interference in the U.S. elections. President-elect Trump has dismissed the assertions by U.S. spies as politically motivated.