Modernization

IRS, Education to team up on electronic student aid form

The IRS and Education Department will release a new student aid form in January that is shorter and easier to complete, federal CIO Vivek Kundra says.

Modernization

Record numbers use IRS' e-file in 2009

IRS officials say a record number of people have filed their tax returns electronically this year.

People

Lawmakers want to shake out TARP fraud with tech

A standardized, Web-accessible database showing how TARP money is spent could make it easier to detect fraud in the program, according to experts.

Cybersecurity

Bill would make fraud-detection available for TARP

Technology the credit card industry uses to detect fraud could be applied to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, according to an expert who helped draft a House bill that calls for the use of such technology.

Modernization

IRS fails to plug all security gaps, IG says

The IRS has installed effective security controls on its laptop computers, but still has problems with reporting breaches and in backup data storage, a new report says.

People

IRS braced to lose experienced technical employees — and newer ones, too

The IRS estimates that it would need to recruit one manager a day for the next 10 years to fill the projected shortage.

Modernization

Audit: IRS killed online project just before deployment

The IRS hopes to revive a canceled project to allow taxpayers to view their tax records online, according to an audit.

Modernization

IRS launches YouTube, iTunes sites

The IRS launched a YouTube video site and an iTunes podcast site filled with content that provides taxpayers with information about tax provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Modernization

Debate still rages on federal use of cookies

A plan to allow Web tracking technology on government Web sites draws protests, support.

Cybersecurity

Rising Star Mary Beth Murphy

Murphy managed the transition of the Treasury Department's HSPD-12 initiative to the General Services Administration's USAccess shared services program.

Cybersecurity

Murphy leads Treasury's HSPD-12 charge

Mary Beth Murphy shepherded Treasury's employee ID card effort.

Modernization

Cyberattacks could have been mitigated

Agency responses to cyberattacks on U.S. government sites demonstrate a need for better coordination between agency security officials and the companies that provide Internet services, experts say.

Cybersecurity

'Noisy' cyberattacks have little effect

The attacks, which spiked late July 6 and early July 7, are not particularly sophisticated and can be mitigated by organizations that are prepared for them, experts say.

Modernization

Terrorist Screening Center gets new director

Timothy Healy is the new director of a center that administers the consolidated terrorist watch list database.

Cybersecurity

IRS slow on security settings, IG says

The tax agency also was late to establish a project management team for FDCC, which did not follow best practices, auditors have said.

Modernization

Treasury launches FinancialStability.gov

The site helps users understand the financial system's problems and track the administration’s efforts to fix them.

Modernization

4 lessons on changing employee performance metrics

A strong performance management system links employees’ results with that of the immediate organization and larger agency mission.

Modernization

Agencies establish stimulus-focused sites

While the Obama administration and Congress have started tackling economic issues, agency Web teams have been setting up sites that help carry out the goals of the stimulus work.

Modernization

Auditors: IRS should scan servers weekly

The IRS should scan all servers often to protect against malicious code and software attacks, IG recommends.

Modernization

GAO will review state plans for stimulus cash

Federal auditors will check how state governments plan to spend their money from the new economic stimulus law, an official said.