Author Archive

Edward Graham

Staff Reporter, Nextgov

Edward Graham
Edward Graham is a technology reporter for Nextgov, where he reports on national security technologies and policies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and election security issues. He received his master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in 2016.
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OIG investigation found that the Interior Department has not fully implemented multifactor authentication and that its “outdated and ineffective” password requirements leave employees’ accounts vulnerable to exploitation.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

Election officials have been largely successful in deterring cyber threats, CISA official says

The head of CISA’s National Risk Management Center pointed to public-private partnerships and enhanced resource sharing activities as key to defending against outside threats to voting systems.