Modernization

IG: Social Security isn't moving fast enough on agile development

An Inspector General report published this month said the Social Security Administration is still struggling to mature its agile development processes and not yet transitioning away from costly outdated technology.

People

How smaller agencies are working to close their technology talent gaps

From innovative fellowships to nixing degree requirements on job listings, smaller agencies are getting scrappy when it comes to hiring tech and cyber talent. 

Digital Government

Senate committee advances open source software and digital identity bills

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved 24 bills on Wednesday, many of which aim to secure federal systems and enhance government operations around data management and digital identity.

People

CISA director says agency is working on cyber workforce gaps

From leveraging new hiring authorities to reskilling and training initiatives, Jen Easterly said CISA plans to reduce its job vacancies to less than 8% by 2024. 

People

ODNI official details efforts to use automation to speed talent recruitment timelines

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s assistant director for human capital said the agency is looking to recruit blue chip talent in former college athletes, and is leveraging technology to speed up hiring. 

People

Consumer Product Safety Commission failed to complete mandated future of work plan, report says

The agency tasked with preventing unreasonable risks of injury and death from consumer products has not yet completed a required plan that considers post-pandemic office reentry and property management strategies, according to an inspector general's report. 

Digital Government

New federal website offers grants info and research to counter domestic terrorism 

The Department of Homeland Security hopes a new website will serve as a one-stop shop for visitors aiming to prevent targeted violence and domestic terrorism with a slew of local and national federal resources.

Cybersecurity

FDIC Fails to Establish Effective Controls to Secure Sensitive Data, Report Says

The agency tasked with supervising financial institutions nationwide is struggling to maintain effective information security measures, according to a new inspector general report.

Digital Government

FDIC fails to establish effective controls to secure sensitive data, report says

The agency tasked with supervising financial institutions nationwide is struggling to maintain effective information security measures, according to a new inspector general report.

Cybersecurity

Government employees and defense contractors still have got bad passwords, report says

According to new research, a majority of government employees with exposed passwords were found to have reused them across multiple accounts. 

Modernization

White House seeks $74 billion for federal civilian IT in 2024

The administration is proposing a nearly $10 billion bump in federal spending to achieve its modernization goals, including several significant increases in spending on IT and cybersecurity at civilian agencies.

Cybersecurity

TSA issues cybersecurity amendment for aviation industry

The Transportation Security Administration has released a series of new performance-based cybersecurity measures for the aviation industry just days after the White House released its national cybersecurity strategy.

People

Acting national cyber director offers new details on upcoming cyber workforce strategy

The forthcoming plan is meant to accompany an overarching cyber strategy released last week that industry groups and cybersecurity experts said would be challenging to implement given the nation’s cyber workforce woes. 

Cybersecurity

Tech trade group leery of new regulations proposed in Biden's cyber strategy

The new national cybersecurity strategy calls for software providers to be held accountable for vulnerabilities in their products – a fundamental shift in approach that sparked concerns among some technology associations and firms.

Cybersecurity

National cyber strategy faces major implementation challenges, experts say

A depleted workforce, lack of funding and challenges with information sharing across the public and private sectors may severely hamper the federal government’s implementation of a new sweeping cybersecurity strategy, experts told FCW. 

Cybersecurity

CISA advisory details red team attack on critical infrastructure organization

The report comes as the director of the nation’s cyber defense agency calls on Congress to establish “higher standards of care for software in specific critical infrastructure entities.”

Digital Government

White House to Officially Ban TikTok from Government Devices Within 30 days

New guidance from the Office of Management and Budget finalizes a congressional push to ban the popular Chinese social networking app from all government devices amid privacy and security concerns.

Cybersecurity

White House to officially ban TikTok from government devices within 30 days

New guidance from the Office of Management and Budget finalizes a congressional push to ban the popular Chinese social networking app from all government devices amid privacy and security concerns.

Acquisition

The great power pivot and the intelligence community

The shift from terrorism to great power competition means changes in tech, acquisition and private-sector partnerships.

Digital Government

CDC technology office plans roadmap for public health data interoperability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology is aiming to expand public health data sharing and nationwide health equity over the next two years.