People

Connolly, Meadows: We're on your side with FITARA

Legislators urge agency leaders to weigh in on the best ways to implement (and grade) IT reform efforts.

Acquisition

CMS needs to close out contracts, watchdog says

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aren't closing out contracts properly under federal regulations, possibly leaving money on the table with contractors according to the agency's Inspector General.

Modernization

McCaul wants new commission on encryption and law enforcement

Top law enforcement officials have decried unbreakable commercial encryption as a dark space for terrorists and criminals. In the wake of the San Bernardino and Paris attacks, one House leader wants to take a hard look at the technology.

Modernization

Can the Library of Congress modernize for the 21st century?

In the midst of leadership changes, Library of Congress officials explain to a House panel where they stand in updating their IT systems and technology strategy.

Modernization

Transportation bill includes recall tech upgrades

The long-term transportation bill pending in Congress would establish an online database of information on vehicle recalls and facilitate information sharing among critical infrastructure providers in emergencies.

Cybersecurity

Reps shun law enforcement, cheer 'slam-dunk' email legislation

Signaling a growing appreciation for electronic privacy, lawmakers voiced support for an update to the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act over law enforcement protests.

Digital Government

Carter: Countering Islamic State online is 'very important'

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford see online response as a part of the battle against the Islamic State group.

People

Government waste playbook highlights 'fumbles'

A host of IT boondoggles are featured in Sen. James Lankford's debut report on wasteful federal spending.

People

Are political appointees 'burrowing' into the bureaucracy?

Republican lawmakers are concerned that political appointees are joining the ranks of career bureaucrats in large numbers, and want the Government Accountability Office to investigate.

Cybersecurity

FEMA still lags on IT coordination, watchdog says

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general says FEMA has improved the way it handles IT projects since the last audit in 2011, but work remains.

Cybersecurity

DHS chief looks to Congress on visa waiver gaps

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson wants Congress to help close data gaps that some say could provide a backdoor entrance for terrorists.

Acquisition

The key to successful IT consolidation efforts

Application portfolio management is a vital component of agencies' efforts to do more with less while keeping the focus on achieving their mission.

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.