Cybersecurity

IG: 700,000 taxpayer accounts could be compromised

The 2015 breach of the IRS' Get Transcript tool swept up far more taxpayer accounts than the IRS initially thought, an IG investigation has revealed.

Cybersecurity

Comey seeks $85M boost for FBI cyber

Most of that additional money will go toward buying better IT and providing cybersecurity training, Comey told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.

Cybersecurity

DHS excoriated for mismanaged HR IT system

The Government Accountability Office warned that mismanagement has led to blown deadlines and wasted money in a Homeland Security effort to unify its human resources IT.

Cybersecurity

Can the FDA secure medical devices?

Regulators and industry face the daunting challenge of keeping medical devices online while protecting against cyberthreats.

Cybersecurity

Appropriators appear to back more cyber spending

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson sought to convince lawmakers about the need for more investment in cybersecurity.

People

OMB chief tries to sell appropriators on IT upgrades

OMB Director Shaun Donovan urged Congress to fund administration plans for modernizing federal IT and improving cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

Lieu asks Comey to back off Apple court order

In a letter to the FBI director, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) argued that forcing Apple to unlock the San Bernardino shooter's phone could have adverse Internet security consequences.

Digital Government

High-level management failures doomed HealthCare.gov

A comprehensive inspector general report blames high-level government mismanagement for the failed launch of HealthCare.gov.

People

Embattled OPM CIO steps down

Departing OPM CIO Donna Seymour had been under intense pressure to deliver on crucial IT projects in the wake of the hack of OPM that exposed the personal data of at least 22 million Americans.

People

Education CIO retires weeks after Capitol Hill confrontation

Danny Harris will leave his job as CIO of the Department of Education after 32 years of federal service.

Cybersecurity

IG details OPM contractor's security flaws

KeyPoint Government Solutions, which intruders used to hack the Office of Personnel Management, lacked a formal incident response plan and controls on unauthorized devices, according to the agency's IG.

People

IG says law bars Cobert from leading OPM on acting basis

OPM IG Patrick McFarland said in a memo to Beth Cobert that under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, "any actions taken by you since the date of your nomination are void and may not be subsequently ratified."

People

FITARA: Maintaining momentum

The keys to the law's success are identifying and mitigating the risks to its implementation, especially in light of the upcoming presidential transition.

Modernization

State IG finds lack of IT contingency plans overseas

Consulates and embassies are expected to be able to restore connectivity in the event of disruptive events, but the IG found a range of issues with 20 of the 29 posts it reviewed.

Cybersecurity

Intel officials dwell on encryption as a potential security problem

FBI Director James Comey and other senior intelligence leaders told Congress that the use of encrypted communications by terrorists and other adversaries remains a problem for investigators.

Digital Government

Agencies, what's up with your FOIAs?

A new survey seeks insight into how agencies are handling Freedom of Information Act requests.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon IG to audit cyber readiness

The audit will gauge how well agencies have corrected vulnerabilities identified by Command Cyber Readiness Inspections.

People

OPM IG McFarland to step down

Patrick McFarland, the longest-serving Inspector General in government, will resign this month after monitoring OPM for two-and-a-half decades.

Digital Government

Education CIO in the hot seat on Capitol Hill

The Education Department's long-serving CIO came under fire from members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for past allegations of misconduct and potential conflicts of interest.

Cybersecurity

Chaffetz wants more answers from Education CIO

Lawmakers are looking for details about warnings that the Education Department's systems are ripe for a devastating hack.