Digital Government

Education Department faces tough criticism from Congress on its IT security

The department’s CIO fielded questions from Democrats and Republicans alike during a House oversight hearing on information system shortcomings.

Cybersecurity

IG: State lax on information security

A newly released audit concludes that the State Department is not complying with federal information security standards and has failed to fully implement a continuous monitoring strategy.

Cybersecurity

IG: OPM still vulnerable to cyber attacks

The Office of Personnel Management's lack of compliance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act leaves it vulnerable to another cyberattack, according to an audit from the agency's internal watchdog.

Cybersecurity

Is it time to regulate the automotive Internet?

Despite sensational media reports about cyber vulnerabilities, Congress and federal officials appear to be in the slow lane when it comes to regulating connected cars.

Digital Government

VA watchdog-in-waiting promises more whistleblower protections

The Inspector General nominee at the Department of Veterans Affairs told a Senate panel he could institute reform in the short time he'll have on the job.

People

Clock ticking on FITARA implementation

There's much to do in a short amount of time to make the IT reforms in FITARA work, leaders say.

Cybersecurity

Paris attacks revive 'going dark' concerns

The terrorist attacks in Paris have rekindled a debate in the United States about law enforcement access to end-to-end encryption on mobile devices.

Cybersecurity

Administration bows out of classified Hill briefing on OPM hack

A scheduled Capitol Hill briefing on the Office of Personnel Management hack didn't happen because of a dispute over transcription.

Modernization

Hurd: Feds' cloud security concerns are overblown

Agencies wary of moving to the cloud should look to the CIA's example, congressman says. And "server-huggers will have an uncomfortable time" in front of Congress.

Acquisition

OPM broke the rules with its breach cleanup contract, says agency watchdog

A forthcoming inspector general report will delve into how the IG says OPM violated procurement regulations with its $20 million post-breach services award to Winvale.

Cybersecurity

So many chiefs, so little coordination

The growing number of roles with "chief" in the title are complicating governance and security efforts, especially when they bypass the CIO.

Digital Government

GAO sounds alarm bells on IRS financial systems

From basic functions to security protections, IRS' financial systems are subpar and threaten the agency's mission, according to a new audit.

Digital Government

IG knocks State's handling of $3.5B contract

A State Department office charged with overseeing a $3.5 billion contract failed to validate certain performance metrics while the department paid incentive fees to contractors on the project, according to a new report.

Modernization

House panel hands out failing grades for FITARA implementation

Agencies aren't living up to expectations in key areas of IT acquisition reform legislation, according to a congressional report card.

Modernization

Dodging 'fatal errors' for Census 2020 tech

With an agile, iterative testing model, the Census Bureau is hoping to avoid repeating the mobile meltdown of 2010 as it tries to technologically streamline -- and secure -- the 2020 count.

Digital Government

Agricultural data is a new cash crop, but who reaps the harvest?

Farmers and businesses need to hash out property rights and privacy issues as big data pervades American agriculture -- especially if they want to avoid regulation by Congress.

Digital Government

Nontechnical problems doomed joint VA/DOD health record, top official says

Chris Miller, the Pentagon's point man on electronic health records, offers some real talk on why interoperability between DOD and Veterans Affairs is proving so difficult.

Cybersecurity

BIS dinged on cyber posture by Commerce IG

The Bureau of Industry and Security lacks a full inventory of network-connected devices and isn't doing all it can to protect against cyberattack, according to a new report.