Cybersecurity

Is Social Security concealing IT risk?

The agency charged with maintaining some of the nation's most sensitive information is vulnerable because of its antiquated IT, and lawmakers say its leaders are downplaying the danger and sidestepping their inspector general.

Cybersecurity

TSA and Social Security race to Windows 10

They've hit a few snags, but the two agencies are nevertheless hoping to complete an upgrade to end all Windows upgrades within the month.

Cybersecurity

More modern IT could keep SSA from mailing out Social Security numbers

The Social Security Administration's internal watchdog said modernization would help the agency keep personally identifiable information out of mailings to beneficiaries.

Modernization

Can government tech compete with Uber and Netflix?

Given the public's increasing expectations for government services to be available from anywhere, agencies might have to ditch incremental change in favor of transformation.

Digital Government

Why the $300 million software project needs to go extinct

Private-sector innovation could send massive, failure-prone projects the way of the dinosaur if federal agencies are willing and able to seize the opportunity, says one leading CIO.

Digital Government

The new retirement calculator, same as the old retirement calculator?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a new tool, but it's basically a facelift for an existing SSA calculator -- and that facelift is kind of the point.

Acquisition

Herb Strauss wins Mendenhall award

The Social Security Administration's deputy CIO was honored for his many contributions to ACT-IAC and federal IT.

Digital Government

Leaky data integration costs billions

A new study says bad data integration results in $342 billion in lost health care benefits every year.

Digital Government

Why Social Security's websites succeed

"They do a great job of setting expectations," said Dave Lewan of ForeSee, which rated five of SSA's sites in the latest list of top 10 federal websites.

Modernization

Social Security preps data reboot

SSA plans to migrate data and production to the new National Support Center by August 2016.

Modernization

Social Security wants new outreach channels

The communications solutions would include chat, video messaging, secure screen sharing and ways for users to send attachments.

Acquisition

4 signs agencies are serious about agile

Federal IT executives have been talking about agile development for years, but the iterative approach is now being incorporated into contracting requirements.

Cybersecurity

The Top 10 stories on FCW.com

Most FCW readers strive to make government work better, but in the past 12 months, they often chose to read about what went wrong.

Digital Government

When agency websites outshine Amazon and Apple

The latest E-Government Satisfaction Index finds solid performances across government, and a few agencies that are particular standouts.

People

A $300 million IT flop

Six years and nearly $300 million later, the Social Security Administration has decided to press "reset" on its project to improve the claim processing system. Here's what happened.

Modernization

Social Security plans pivot to agile

SSA is in the midst of migrating its data operations to a 300,000 square foot facility that is still under construction.

Acquisition

Social Security plans pivot to agile

A call to industry suggests SSA is looking for a just-in-time approach to development.

Cybersecurity

Federal agencies flunking FOIA

None of the 15 agencies studied earned an A on a Freedom of Information Act report card from the Center for Effective Government, and seven – including DOD, DHS and State – got an F.

Digital Government

Pro tips for using big data

Ignore fads and focus on what the agency is looking to achieve, says Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board CIO Shawn Kingsberry.