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DHS
Latest Headlines
Latest Headlines
GAO can't validate OMB's TechStat cost savings claims
The Office of Management and Budget's estimated governmentwide cost savings from TechStat Accountability Sessions, the oversight program it uses to review agencies' troubled technology investments, could be grossly overstated. Based on agency documentation, the Government Accountability Office identified only $22.2 million in cost savings and avoidances.
Coasties don't want expensive TISCOM laptops
Reasons for the TISCOM laptops unpopularity--auditors note a prevalence on what they call "non-standard laptops"--likely stems from several factors noted by auditors, including the fact that TISCOM charges recipients $2,270 per laptop and an annual fee of $1,533.91, meaning that a new laptop provided by the command costs nearly $4,000 in just its first year.
GSA considers mobile-friendly HSPD-12 services
The General Services Administration could soon allow agencies to register personnel for their identification cards from a smartphone or tablet. The agency issued a request for information June 5 on the viability of offering its identity management services in a mobile-friendly format.
DHS report supports suspicionless searches of electronic devices at borders
A Homeland Security Department report says that border agents should continue to perform suspicionless searches of electronic devices at borders, because adding a heightened, suspicion-based threshold could be operationally harmful and would not necessarily enhance civil liberties.
Task force calls for stronger U.S. international engagement on cyber issues
A task force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations calls on the United States to build an alliance for cybersecurity with like-minded actors. The task force – charged with making recommendations for the defense of an open global Internet and co-chaired by John Negroponte, a former diplomat and director of national intelligence, and Samuel Palmisano, the former chief executive officer of IBM – issued June 6 a final report (.pdf).
House and White House setting stage for appropriations battle
The House Rules Committee approved two fiscal 2014 appropriations bills for debate on the House floor during a June 3 hearing , shortly after a warning from President Obama that he would veto both bills because Congress has yet to approve an budget framework with the Senate.
PortfolioStat reflects OMB concerns with CIO authority
FierceGovernmentIT asked OMB in April under FOIA for documents associated with PortfolioStat as part of our ongoing effort to shed light on federal oversight efforts, given that OMB likes to broadcast the fact of programs such as PortfolioStat or TechStat but is generally loath to talk about them in any depth in public – leaving us, we feel, little alternative but to resort to FOIAing the self-proclaimed most transparent administration in history.
House Appropriations Committee releases spending plan
The Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee released a $972.6 billion discretionary spending plan (.pdf) to dole out money to agencies in the fiscal 2014 budget. That's $187 billion less in discretionary spending than President Obama's $1.16 trillion request (.pdf).
DHS seeks to upgrade ID system to include facial and iris scans
The Homeland Security Department wants to upgrade its identification system to a new system that makes use of fingerprint, facial and iris recognition as part implementation of HSPD-12, the 2004 Homeland Security Presidential Directive that requires biometric personal identify verification cards for federal workers.
DHS notifies employees of PII potential data breach
The Homeland Security Department says software utilized by a vendor that processes personnel security investigation had a vulnerability that may have allowed a data breach of elements including Social Security numbers.
