People

GAO: Banks need stricter access controls

The Government Accountability Office had reviewed internal controls for financial reporting for debt securities services when it identified weaknesses in security controls.

People

GAO: FDA needs food safety planning

However, the FDA has taken a first step to modernize its policies and approach to food safety, but its plan lacks of specifics, a GAO official says.

Digital Government

USDA keeps livestock data open to public

The Agriculture Department has delayed plans to apply privacy protections to a database that contains livestock operations information.

People

Court stops privacy for livestock database

A federal district court has ordered the Agriculture Department to suspend its effective date for applying Privacy Act safeguards to a database that is the foundation for the National Animal Identification System.

Acquisition

Bill aimed at small-biz cybersecurity

Backers say the legislation would create an SBA task force to help entrepreneurs and small firms with information security.

People

Treasury offers benefits debit card

Beneficiaries without bank accounts can access Social Security payments and disability benefits through retail automatic teller machines.

People

VA promotes teamwork on cybersecurity

An incident response team brings information technology and business line representatives together to address information security issues.

People

OMB seeks more volunteers for PAR pilot

The program seeks to make agency financial and performance information more understandable and useful to Congress and the public.

Digital Government

OMB calls for financial clarity

Common financial management processes will enable agencies to reconcile their payables and receivables.

People

GAO: FDIC needs stronger security controls

GAO's auditors also found that the agency that insures deposits in federally chartered banks has fixed or made progress on 16 of the 21 security weaknesses the auditors found last year.

People

Walter Reed patient data exposed

Names, Social Security numbers and birth dates were among the personal information in a computer file that was shared without authorization, officials said.

Digital Government

Lawmakers want stronger NASA IT security

The House could add new reporting and testing requirements on information security to the authorization bill for the space agency.

People

Career federal IT exec Suda to retire

Robert Suda, most recently at the Transportation Department, was also associate chief information officer at the Agriculture Department and an assistant commissioner at the General Service Administration’s Federal Technology Service.

Digital Government

In info sharing, trust counts

Commission studies ideas for next president.

People

More taxpayers use e-filing

The increase in e-filing was strong among last-minute filers, a group that has traditionally filed paper returns.

People

FAA uses technology to speed air travel

The agency has been under fire by Congress for growing air traffic gridlock and delays and for safety concerns.

People

Agencies recognized for performance reporting

A public accountants’ organization has given 17 agencies awards for Performance and Accountability Reports that are clear and readable.

People

Senator raps USDA for travel spending

Agencies should make more use of online conferencing instead of meetings at exotic resorts, Sen. Coburn said in a report.

People

GSA considers data-center optimization

GSA is partnering with EPA and DOE on a possible initiative to help agencies to make their data centers more energy efficient.

Digital Government

LOB said to promote services sharing

The Information Technology Infrastructure Line of Business initiative is said to promote the consolidation of agency hardware and software, sharing of infrastructure services and environmentally friendly systems.