Defense

White House Aims To Beef Up Nation’s Cybersecurity After Pipeline Hack

A new executive order shifts how the government buys software and gives consumers visibility into products’ security features.

Oversight

GAO: Federal Human Capital Management has Regressed Over Last Two Years

The government watchdog agency faulted a lack of leadership at OPM for the failure to address gaps in critical skills and other federal workforce issues.

Defense

A Big 2020 Election Hack Never Came. Here’s Why

America’s cyber defenders are getting more proactive — and more chatty.

Defense

U.S. Elections Are Safer From Foreign Interference, But Gaps Remain

Four years after a big wake-up call, federal, state and local governments are working harder and more closely to ward off threats.

Defense

Could Trump Deploy US Cyber Command Against Protestors?

It’s time to set better limits on the U.S. military’s ability to operate against Americans.

Defense

Russia’s Attempted Vaccine Hack Suggests Research — and Putin’s Grand Plan — Has Stalled

The Kremlin’s cyber attack on the UK, U.S., and Canada suggests their coronavirus vaccine — and a key Putin promise — is far from reality.

Defense

The Defense Bill Could Rewrite How the US Does Cyber Defense

A proposed new office would help private entities and the government respond together to major hacks.

Pay & Benefits

How to Keep Your TSP Account Secure in the Era of COVID-19

Scammers and fraudsters are taking advantage of the novel coronavirus pandemic to target online financial accounts. 

Pay & Benefits

Merit Board Offers Advice to Fix Reskilling Program That Hasn't Translated to Any New Job Placements

A pilot program to train some non-IT workers with technology skills has not resulted in anyone switching jobs, largely because participants would have needed to take a pay cut.

Oversight

Watchdog: OPM is At Risk of Not Being Able to Restore IT Systems Post-Disaster 

The massive 2015 data breaches that exposed personal information of current and former federal employees are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit. 

Management

Why You Need to Know What the Government Does With Your Data

Agencies share personally identifiable information with contractors—sometimes for good reasons—but there are serious risks associated with that, and we need guardrails.

Management

Election Assistance Agency Loses Its Top Leaders 

The bipartisan and independent agency also faces pushback from advocacy organizations and potential funding shortages.

Management

Report: Executive Branch Should Establish an Interagency Task Force to Combat Foreign Election Inference

Bipartisan Senate report recommends a media literacy initiative and a system for alerting people targeted with disinformation.

Pay & Benefits

Trump Administration Seeks to Quash Lawsuit Over OPM Hack

Government says feds are not entitled to damages as hackers intended to use the personal information they gathered for spying, not identity theft or fraud. 

Pay & Benefits

Federal Employees Suing OPM Score Win in Lawsuit Over Data Hacks

Appeals court overrules district-level finding, says federal employee unions have standing to sue.

Management

House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill

The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.

Defense

NATO Getting More Aggressive on Offensive Cyber

Secretary General Stoltenberg says NATO pushes limits of what the alliance can do in cyberspace.

Management

GAO: GSA Must Do More on Property Management, Cybersecurity

A federal watchdog agency’s reminder on outstanding recommendations comes as the Trump administration pushes for the agency to take on new responsibilities.