The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive and In Depth radio shows each day. Our headlines are updated twice per day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon — with the latest news affecting federal employees and contractors.
The Office of Personnel Management is sending emails to federal employees telling them about a second cyber breach. This one may have targeted records related to security clearances. OPM, Homeland Security and the FBI are still investigating the attack. Once they know more, they’ll notify everyone who’s affected. Right now, it’s unclear how many people are impacted in the second cyber breach. It could potentially affect current, former and prospective employees, and also people who’ve applied for a federal background check. (Federal News Radio)
A State Department computer hardware failure has prevented issuance of thousands of temporary and immigrant visas since last week. The Wall Street Journal reports it’s left leaving agricultural workers stranded in Mexico and farmers unable to get crops harvested. A State Department spokesman said the crash occurred in a system hosting a database that takes in fingerprints for security checks. He said technicians have been working around the clock to get it fixed. But until it is, State cannot issue visas. Growers groups say they risk losing millions of dollars worth of berries and other crops. (Wall Street Journal)
Privacy advocates are fuming about a federal system called Midas. It’s the repository of personal health data gathered under the Affordable Care Act. A federal privacy assessment recommends keeping the data perpetually. The National Archives and Records Administration has recommended erasing the data after 10 years. But the Electronic Frontier Foundation said even 10 years is too long. It’s got some backing in Congress. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) cited the government’s poor record on protecting databases from hackers. A Health and Human Services spokesman said the data is essential to the smooth operation of what he called the insurance marketplace ecosystem. (Federal News Radio)
The chairman of the House transportation committee said he’ll introduce a bill to privatize the air traffic control part of the FAA. Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) wants to turn ATC into a non-profit corporation run by the airlines and other segments of the aviation industry. He told the Aero Club the FAA under its current setup is headed for failure. He noted the 10-year effort to convert from ground radar navigation to satellites. A recent audit report found that few airline officials believe the FAA can achieve that goal. Controllers themselves said they’re open minded on the idea, but want to see details. (Federal News Radio)
A watchdog found some Environmental Protection Agency employees are using their personal computers for work. In one case, an employee connected to the network and stored documents on his personal laptop, even while in the office. He also emailed work documents using a personal email account. EPA policy said any personal devices need to be approved, scanned and inspected before they can connect to the agency’s network. The inspector general recommends EPA clarify its policy on personal computers for official work. (EPA)
Talks among the Commerce Department, retailers and nine privacy groups have broken down. Privacy advocates walked out on discussions over use of facial recognition as a biometric identifier. Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has been mediating the talks for 16 months. Spokesman Juliana Gruenwald said the groups have made progress, and she believes the talks will resume. Privacy advocates worry that facial recognition technology will be used indiscriminately by businesses. The goal of the working group was to come up with standards for the use of facial recognition. (Federal News Radio)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants reports from the Pentagon on contracting fraud. The Hill reports Sanders wants that as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. It would require the Defense Secretary to send an update to Congress each year on contracting fraud. The annual report would include the value of Pentagon contracts with companies that have been charged with contract fraud by an agency. Sanders also asked for recommendations from the inspector general on how to punish contractors repeatedly involved in fraud. (The Hill)
The Pentagon published its first law-of-war manual ever. Officials said it was years in the making. The DoD’s General Counsel, Steven Preston, said the manual is designed for operational use by lawyers, commanders and others at headquarters and in the field. Both military and civilian lawyers worked on the document. It covers international law principles governing armed conflict, something the United States has been contributing to since the Civil War. Treaties also require the United States to disseminate information about the law or war. (DoD)
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