Joe Warminsky
FedScoop
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Joe:
Reviews of 2020 census data show undercounts of some demographic groups, overcounts of others
The 2020 census, called the "first online," undercounted the Black or African American population, as well as other groups, officials said. → Read More
ACLU sues FBI for information about its encryption-cracking skills
The FBI must be more transparent about its ability to break into people’s mobile devices, the American Civil Liberties Union says, and the group is suing for information about what the feds have in their toolkit. The ACLU says the bureau should come clean about what its Electronic Device Analysis Unit (EDAU) is using “to unlock and decrypt information that is otherwise securely stored on cell… → Read More
ACLU sues FBI for information about its encryption-cracking skills
The FBI must be more transparent about its ability to break into people’s mobile devices, the American Civil Liberties Union says, and the group is suing for information about what the feds have in their toolkit. The ACLU says the bureau should come clean about what its Electronic Device Analysis Unit (EDAU) is using “to unlock and decrypt information that is otherwise securely stored on cell… → Read More
DHS's innovation program brings in 5 more blockchain startups
The small Phase 1 awards are specifically for projects on preventing forgery and counterfeiting of certificates and licenses at agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection. → Read More
Telework shift presented durable lessons about workforce, USPS and NASA officials say
Going forward, organizations will need to define the "new normal," said USPS's CISO. Every company will have to decide if it still needs employees working side-by-side. → Read More
Congressman reminds everyone about potential to do legislative work remotely
Rep. Eric Swalwell is reintroducing a bill that would "mandate the development of a secure remote voting system" for use in the House, but only on noncontroversial legislation. → Read More
Foreign IT subcontractor had improper access to Commerce system, audit says
Commerce sent sensitive data from a document management system to a Canada-based subcontractor with "unvetted foreign nationals," according to a new IG report. → Read More
SAIC adds to IT modernization portfolio with $1.2B acquisition of Unisys Federal
The acquisition, expected to close by May 1, will strengthen SAIC's ability to provide cloud migration, EITaaS and other services. → Read More
GAO reminds agencies of FISMA requirements, says OMB report is overdue
The typical federal agency still has familiar deficiencies in its information security practices, according to a Government Accountability Office survey of implementation of one of the government’s key cybersecurity laws. As of fiscal 2018, “many federal agencies were often not adequately or effectively implementing their information security policies and practices” under the Federal Information… → Read More
Federal Acquisition Service has fixed IT pricing problems found in 2016 audit, report says
The General Services Administration’s procurement arm has fully met the recommendations of a 2016 audit that found widespread problems in how the agency handled pricing for IT products, GSA’s Office of the Inspector General says in a new report. The Federal Acquisition Service, which procures goods and services for agencies across the government, has fixed how it … → Read More
DHS's 'cyber incident response teams' back on Congress' radar
Congress is again moving to solidify the “cyber incident response teams” at the Department of Homeland Security that work with the private sector in recovering from cyberattacks and other events that affect the nation’s digital infrastructure. The teams were created by the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) as part of its mission to … → Read More
Trump's choice for OPM director says she'll listen closely to agency's tech leaders
The nominee to lead the Office of Personnel Management told senators Tuesday that her past experience in working on the congressional response to the agency’s major 2015 data breach will help inform how she handles IT issues related to any major changes at OPM. Dale Cabaniss, who was a senior Republican aide on the Senate … → Read More
Cybersecurity pros could work for multiple agencies under bill passed by Senate
Skilled federal cybersecurity workers could be rotated among civilian agencies under bipartisan legislation the Senate passed Tuesday. The intent is not only to help fill specific gaps in the workforce, but also to help agencies recruit and retain people by offering opportunities “to enhance their careers, broaden their professional experience, and foster collaborative networks by … → Read More
Trump's cybersecurity budget emphasizes DOD while spreading cuts around elsewhere
Federal cybersecurity spending would increase by about 5 percent overall in fiscal 2020 under President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, with the Department of Defense getting a big boost and many civilian agencies seeing small cuts or relatively flat funding. As part of the White House’s plan to significantly expand military spending, the DOD’s cybersecurity budget would … → Read More
Health and Human Services IG sizes up department's cybersecurity vulnerabilities
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General says it instituted an ongoing series of cybersecurity audits on HHS networks in response to what it found during penetration tests in fiscal 2016-17. The OIG says in a new report that it hired Virginia-based Defense Point Security (DPS), a unit of Accenture Federal, to conduct … → Read More
Internet of Things cybersecurity bill is back with bipartisan support
Legislation to ensure that the government’s Internet of Things hardware meets minimum cybersecurity standards has returned for the 116th Congress, as the public and the government grow more aware of the dangers of poorly designed and configured IoT sensors. The bipartisan Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019, introduced Monday on both sides of the Capitol, … → Read More
White House sticks with TMF, but scales back its 2020 budget request
After two years of receiving less than what it sought for the Technology Modernization Fund, the White House is requesting $150 million for fiscal 2020 — a proposal that would provide a robust addition to the fund but still represent some tempered expectations about Congress’ support. The request represents far more than the $25 million TMF was allocated … → Read More
Security clearances, cybersecurity, 2020 census remain on GAO's High-Risk List
The latest edition of the Government Accountability Office’s “High-Risk List” of federal programs highlights problems in the governmentwide program for granting security clearances, and it reiterates concerns about the 2020 census and the government’s role in the nation’s cybersecurity. The new report, which will be featured in a House hearing Wednesday afternoon, also includes familiar notes… → Read More
The Sleigher: Sloover, ‘Balls, Balls, Balls’
Arts Desk is Washington City Paper's blog about D.C. music, film, theater, books, and performance. → Read More