Digital Government

Pending Executive Order to Move Entire Background Investigation Bureau to Pentagon

The president is preparing to sign an order to move the entire National Background Investigations Bureau—workload, people and all—under the Defense Department.

Emerging Tech

Defense Security Service Is Trying to Overhaul the Entire Security Clearance Process

And it turned to an alternative contracting method to find nontraditional background check companies and ideas.

Cybersecurity

Government Report IDs the Need For Speed in Cyber Hiring

The report from the Commerce and Homeland Security departments also urges more investment in cyber education and training.

Digital Government

Census Bureau Goes Tech Shopping for 2020 Count

The bureau is looking for help with background vetting, app testing and other prep for the decennial.

Cybersecurity

Agency That Vets Pentagon Contractors’ Security Isn’t Keeping Up With the Threat, Audit Finds

The Defense Security Service plans to shift to a risk-based approach, but needs to reach out to stakeholders, GAO says.

Policy

Huawei, ZTE Banned in House Draft of Pentagon Policy Bill

The bill also requires a governmentwide strategy to counter Chinese cyber threats.

Cybersecurity

You May Have to Wait 2 Years to Get That Security Clearance

The metrics fail to capture the real-world impact of the backlog, which includes careers put on hold and the loss of top talent, says Raytheon's Jane Chappell.

Digital Government

Senate Panel Seeks Answers on Clearance Backlog

A government watchdog group put the process back on its high-risk list after pending actions exceeded 700,000.

Digital Government

Lax Census Background Checks Could OK ‘Unfit’ Employees for 2020

Part of the problem is the type of contract the agency used to vet the temporary workers who handle the data, the inspector general found.

Cybersecurity

Antiquated Security Clearance Process Earns a Spot on the GAO’s High-Risk List

The hackable technology and outdated screening methods used in the clearance process merit its return to the government’s list of most vulnerable programs.

Digital Government

Congress' Week: Data Breaches, Kaspersky and Murderers with Security Clearances

Amid tackling a series of high-profile data breaches, Congress moved along important IT legislation and aims to address whether criminals are actually getting temporary security clearances.

Cybersecurity

If You Fall for a Phishing Scam, Should You Lose Your Security Clearance?

CISOs are concerned about how frequently even senior-level federal employees fall for the bogus emails.