Author Archive
Cybersecurity
Treasury's system tracking federal debt still needs security improvements, GAO says
The watchdog found continued “information system control deficiencies,” despite Treasury’s progress on prior recommendations.
Defense
Pentagon didn't check risks before authorizing cloud services, watchdog finds
An audit conducted by the Defense Department’s inspector general found agency components “may be unaware of known vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks associated with operating their systems or storing their data.”
IT Modernization
Top senator says modernizing VA’s EHR 'is not optional'
After leading GOP lawmakers introduced legislation to terminate the deployment of VA’s new electronic health record program, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.—chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee—said upgrading the system “has to be done.”
Workforce
Lawmakers propose a federal reserve corps for digital talent
The bipartisan legislation seeks to address the government’s tech and cyber needs by enabling industry professionals to bring their skills and experience to the federal level.
Cybersecurity
FCC rule would require telecom providers to immediately disclose sensitive data breaches
The Federal Communications Commission’s proposed rule would require telecommunications providers to immediately notify consumers and federal agencies about any breaches involving “customer proprietary network information.”
Cybersecurity
Interior’s cyber practices allow for easily crackable passwords, watchdog finds
An OIG investigation found that the Interior Department has not fully implemented multifactor authentication and that its “outdated and ineffective” password requirements leave employees’ accounts vulnerable to exploitation.
IT Modernization
Despite deployment woes, VA preps to unpause EHR launches in 2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress are continuing to support the rollout of the agency’s new electronic health record system, even as lawmakers remain concerned about the project’s cost and effectiveness.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers highlight cyber, new tech and space in proposed spending bill
The $1.7 trillion omnibus introduced by lawmakers on Tuesday would spur on investments in cutting-edge technologies, cyber defense and space during the 2023 fiscal year.
Acquisition
VA cancels future deployments of new supply chain management system
The agency’s decision to transition away from using the Defense Department’s supply chain logistics solution comes after lawmakers and the VA’s Office of Inspector General questioned the system’s value.
IT Modernization
VA tapped COVID funds to bolster IT and digital services
The VA used supplemental COVID funding from three different bills to support expanded telehealth services and remote operations during the worst of the pandemic.
Defense
DOD creates office to enhance investments in tech vital to national security
The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital will work with private capital providers to “shape and scale investment in critical technologies.”
Defense
Microsoft, defense firms partnering on modeling and simulation capabilities
Microsoft is collaborating with defense sector companies as DOD seeks to increase its gaming, exercising, modeling and simulation capabilities.
Cybersecurity
Iranian hackers compromised a federal agency’s network, CISA and FBI say
Actors linked with the Iranian government were able to exploit an unpatched Log4Shell vulnerability—which the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency asked agencies to address by the end of 2021—in an unnamed agency’s network.
Cybersecurity
No ‘specific or credible’ cyber threats affected integrity of midterms, CISA says
Despite “a handful” of DDoS attacks targeting state and local election websites and some technical glitches affecting voting equipment, CISA says it saw “no activity” that should undermine faith in the results of the midterm elections.
Defense
Pentagon expects to award $9 billion cloud contract in December
The Pentagon’s chief information officer said the multi-cloud, multi-vendor JWCC contract will be awarded “in about a month.”
IT Modernization
NOAA planning to join DOD’s electronic health record system
A spokesperson for the office overseeing the rollout of the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system said that NOAA’s deployment of the software is “targeted for summer 2023.”
Cybersecurity
Public entities in nearly every state use federally-banned foreign tech, report says
A new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology found that at least 1,681 state and local governments purchased equipment from five Chinese companies that were banned by the federal government between 2015 and 2021.
IT Modernization
VA official has 'deep concerns' about agency's electronic health record project
But leadership at the agency pushed back against projected cost overruns and delays moving forward.
Workforce
DHS launches 'largest customer experience hiring initiative’ with hundreds of technologist positions
The agency’s recruitment initiative comes in response to President Joe Biden’s 2021 executive order seeking to streamline the “government-to-customer delivery process.”
Cybersecurity