Author Archive
Cybersecurity
Industry reps like CISA's public-private cybersecurity collaborative, but offer tips on how to scale it
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) noted in the hearing that CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative lacks a charter or membership criteria and previewed a forthcoming bill to “clarify activities of the JCDC.”
IT Modernization
IRS Taxpayer Advocate says Congress shortchanged IT modernization efforts
Lawmakers didn’t allocate the $80 billion provided to the IRS in the right way, claims National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins, adding that IT modernization and taxpayer services aren’t getting the money they need.
Workforce
OPM gives agencies guidance for a new program to rotate cybersecurity employees across agencies
The guidance seeks to implement the Federal Rotation Cyber Workforce Program created by lawmakers last year as a way to foster new critical skills across government.
Cybersecurity
NSA offers new tips on zero trust and identity
Weaknesses in identity and access controls are allowing cyber attacks to happen, NSA officials say. A new tip sheet is meant to help national security systems mature their controls.
People
USDS alum Lynn Overmann talks priorities in new role as Beeck Center’s director
Continuing a recent tradition of former U.S. Digital Services officials tapped to lead Georgetown University’s technology and policy hub, Overmann talks about the challenges and opportunities of helping bring innovation to the federal government.
IT Modernization
IRS plans to approve use of Login-dot-gov as Tax Day nears
The tax agency intends to add Login-dot-gov this filing season—and as early as next week—as the integration is in final rounds of testing.
Workforce
Reciprocity remains a key clearance issue
Intelligence community elements appear to have adopted a wait-and-see posture over efforts to construct a common platform that allows for agencies to treat security adjudications as a shared service.
Workforce
Building neurodiverse tech teams
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency started a pilot in 2020 focused on neurodiversity in its workforce. One hire from the effort says the job is a welcome opportunity to use her unique skills and talents to support the agency’s mission
Digital Government
White House budget proposal includes CX, fraud prevention
The fiscal 2024 budget request emphasizes funding for the President’s Management Agenda goals, including customer experience.
People
IRS CIO moving to Treasury CTO post
Jeff King, currently deputy chief information officer at Treasury, will be taking on the role of acting CIO at the IRS.
Cybersecurity
CISA still has work to do to fix agency weaknesses revealed by SolarWinds, watchdog says
A new report from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general details recommendations for CISA’s network visibility and threat detection tech, workforce and more.
Digital Government
GSA officials misled agencies about Login-dot-gov
The agency’s inspector general blasted GSA officials for claiming that its identity proofing website met NIST guidelines for biometric comparison, charging millions for it, when it did not.
Digital Government
New federal service delivery model focuses on people and problems, not bureaucratic silos
The White House envisions applications for services like food assistance, Medicaid and other benefits taking 20 minutes, with enrollment coming after just 24 hours.
Cybersecurity
National cyber strategy faces major implementation challenges, experts say
A depleted workforce, lack of funding and challenges with information sharing across the public and private sectors may severely hamper the federal government’s implementation of a new sweeping cybersecurity strategy, experts told FCW.
Digital Government
White House sends anti-fraud wishlist to Congress as stakeholders await identity executive order
Asked when the long-anticipated executive order would be coming out, senior advisor to the President Gene Sperling told reporters to “stay tuned” as the measure winds through legal approvals.
Cybersecurity
New White House cyber strategy looks to redistribute risks, responsibilities
The ranging strategy document includes plans for the collective defense of federal civilian executive branch agencies and a push for legislation to require software vendors to assume liability for the security of their products.
Congress
House Republicans offer proposal to claw back unemployment modernization funding
A Tuesday markup in the House Ways and Means Committee featured partisan sparing over a proposal to pull back Labor Department funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for unemployment modernization.
Acquisition
Rights groups push ICE to end contract with LexisNexis
The groups argue that the contractor-supplied data allows the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to obtain information that might ordinarily require a warrant – or be restricted by state and local government with "sanctuary" statutes protecting undocumented Americans.
Digital Government
DHS tests show facial recognition tech has varied results, but gaining ground
Although some systems were able to meet performance thresholds for all demographic groups, others did show differentials because of issues with obtaining quality photos of people with varying skin tones.
Digital Government