Digital Government
Why it's harder than you think to hack a voting machine
Despite the fear and hype, there are several obstacles that make the most direct form of tampering, altering vote counts, extremely difficult.
Acquisition
IT funding bill survives NDAA conference
The $700 billion defense bill now poised for final passage includes provisions to modernize agency IT through revolving funds and allow for for easy, off-the-shelf Pentagon procurement.
Cybersecurity
IG: Compliance alone will not save DHS cyber efforts
An oversight report gives passing grades to DHS on compliance with core tenets of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 – but offers the agency a stark warning that its threat and information sharing efforts are still falling short.
Cybersecurity
What governments can learn from the original Russian cyber attack
Ten years after Estonia's networks came under siege from a Russian botnet, a group of officials gathered to discuss how the incident helped shape the future of cyber warfare.
Modernization
Lawmakers look to keep close tabs on VA's health record switch
A bipartisan quartet of lawmakers introduced legislation that would compel the Department of Veterans Affairs to document how it plans to implement its new electronic health record system.
People
IG: Silos contributing to DHS immigration woes
An audit found that DHS is struggling to implement a unified immigration strategy and pointed to a series of breakdowns that illustrate a lack of communication and coordination between different offices.
Cybersecurity
New standards coming for ISAOs
There are no common standards for data collection and dissemination at private-sector cybersecurity information sharing groups, but that is expected to change soon.
Cybersecurity
Enrollment for threat sharing program continues to lag
The federal government has big plans for the Automated Indicator Sharing program, but agency officials and members of Congress continue to express frustration at the sluggish pace of enrollment.
Cybersecurity
Three paths for Congress on spy powers
Privacy advocates and security hawks in Congress are grappling over the future of surveillance.
Cybersecurity
Will warning labels shield users against insecure IoT?
A pair of Democratic lawmakers is backing new cybersecurity standards for connected devices, including a framework to identify and label products.
Cybersecurity
DHS: A 'vast majority' of agencies on track with Kaspersky directive
It is too soon to tell how long it will take to fully purge the embattled vendor from federal systems, according to a DHS official.
Cybersecurity
Can dark fiber help secure the energy grid?
Sen. Bill Cassidy is interested in the possibility of legislation to support an isolated networks that can conceal and protect the electric grid.
Cybersecurity
Kaspersky: pirated software led to NSA contractor breach
The embattled cyber vendor claims an NSA contractor breach can be traced to a pirated version of Microsoft Word.
Cybersecurity
White House official fires back at McCain over cyber hearing 'stunt'
Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert criticized Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for marking a White House no-show at a hearing with an empty chair.
People
White House sketches plans to staff its modernization efforts
A new solicitation sets the stage for a new advisory structure to help the Office of American Innovation modernize federal IT.
Modernization
Little progress on IT governance, says NASA IG
An oversight body found little change in IT governance at NASA four years after a critical report and wonders if the space agency can effectively oversee its IT assets.
Cybersecurity
Whitehouse: 'I can't find a point of entry' to talk cyber with Trump administration
Senate Democrat wants to know whom he needs to talk to in the administration to coordinate on cybersecurity legislation.
Cybersecurity
Sessions pushes back on proposed House surveillance reform
Attorney General Jeff Sessions told a Senate panel that the administration is open to FISA reform, but doesn't want to saddle the FBI with a warrant requirement.
Cybersecurity
DOJ sees a path to legal hacking
A legal framework for information security research is gaining traction, said a senior Justice Department official, but the guidance is broad, with specific policies emerging from the private sector.
Modernization
IRS pushes back on data protection criticisms
Officials cite lower rates of fraudulent tax returns as a mark of improving taxpayer security, but external hacks and internal reviews demonstrate the agency still faces challenges.
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