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.