Acquisition

First EIS contract awards loom

The Social Security Administration is evaluating contract proposal responses while it waits for GSA to finish testing EIS contractors’ back-office systems.

Cybersecurity

House panel looks at ditching the SSN

In light of multiple large-scale data breaches in recent years, some on Capitol Hill are looking at accelerating the move away from widespread reliance on social security numbers in government systems.

People

GAO: SSA chief has been 'acting' too long

For the first time, an acting senior official elevated under the Trump administration has been cited for holding down a political job longer than allowed under the Vacancies Act.

Modernization

Three vendors win SSA's $7.8 billion IT services contract

The Social Security Administration has selected CGI Federal, Leidos and Northrop Grumman for a potential 10-year, $7.8 billion contract for IT services.

Digital Government

SSA expands customer-service systems

The Social Security Administration is building out a new electronic records system, a major initiative of its long-term plan to modernize and improve customer service.

Digital Government

Why OMB needs to lead on reducing federal SSN use

The government's effort to reduce its reliance on social security numbers lacks central guidance, according to a recent oversight report.

People

Teleworking success a mixed bag at SSA

Employee productivity in the Social Security Administration's teleworking pilot program varied significantly by office and job function.

People

SSA gets new CIO

Rajive Mathur is taking over for Rob Klopp as CIO of the Social Security Administration.

Cybersecurity

Can government stop using Social Security numbers?

Agencies are having trouble reducing reliance on Social Security numbers as identifiers because of outdated systems, insufficient funding and lack of coordination from OMB.

Cybersecurity

Social Security takes a second crack at two-factor authentication

Almost a year after rolling back a mobile phone-based authentication plan for its public beneficiary services, the Social Security Administration unveils a new approach.

Digital Government

IG: SSA system reboot success depends on backlog

The Social Security Administration's reboot of a failed $300 million IT system for its disability program is being rolled out gradually, and it's getting good marks so far.

Cybersecurity

IGs: budget cuts could put cybersecurity at risk

Inspectors general fear that budget cuts could force agencies to choose between spending on program operations and cybersecurity.

Digital Government

SSA gets new access to payroll data

To help prevent fraud, the Social Security Administration hopes make deals to access to private-sector payroll data in real time by the end of this year.

Modernization

Klopp stays on board as SSA CIO for now

The Trump administration has asked SSA CIO Rob Klopp to remain in his role to provide continuity as his agency continues modernization projects and agile adoption.

People

Remembering Jim Dean

A linchpin from the federal IT community's early days passed away on Nov. 28.

Digital Government

CIOs uncertain about the Trump administration

Agency-level CIOs tell legislators that real progress is being made, but uncertainty looms regarding Trump administration IT priorities -- and in some cases, about their own futures.

Cybersecurity

SSA looks for cyber risk help

The Social Security Administration holds highly sensitive data on nearly all Americans and is looking for ideas on how to keep it safe.

Digital Government

Social Security rolls back two-factor mandate

The Social Security Administration is relaxing a recent security directive for beneficiaries, because of potential user inconvenience.

Modernization

Social Security looks to scrap 30 years of code

The SSA CIO is hoping a new funding vehicle will allow his to scrap his entire existing code base and re-write a better system – if overseers will only trust him.

Modernization

It's time to trash your legacy system and rewrite from scratch

At least one federal tech chief has become convinced that instead of prolonged, incremental modernization of legacy IT, agencies should just rewrite their entire systems in a modern environment.