OPM cybersecurity improvements made since last year’s breach

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive.

• The Office of Personnel Management says it has made great strides over the last year to shore up its cybersecurity. Almost a year after announcing it suffered a major breach, OPM said its defense in-depth approach has hardened its networks and secured its data. Over a recent three-day period, OPM patched 80 percent of its systems. Now it’s improving how it protects against the insider threat. OPM additionally plans to implement more advanced continuous monitoring tools and technologies over the next few months.

• Homeland Security has penned a new mission statement. It reads, “With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values.” DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said he heard from about 3,000 employees and got input from three former secretaries before coming up with it. (DHS)

• A Senate panel has approved a bill to reorganize part of the Interior Department. The Committee on Indian Affairs said yes to a bill that could turn the Bureau of Indian Education into an independent agency under Interior, with a presidentially appointed director. Its mission would be to oversee both school curriculum and buildings. Committee chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said native American children need safer and more accountable schools. The bill would provide $130 million for school construction.

• How much does it cost the government to award and administer a contract? The Federal Acquisition Regulation council said approximately $1,000.  It’s proposing that amount for the purpose of evaluating bids for multiple awards. It’s double the amount it established back in 1990. They base the new figure on inflation since that year. (Federal Register)

• The House wants Federal Law Enforcement agents to be able to defend themselves, even during a government shutdown. It passed the Federal Law Enforcement Self-Defense and Protection Act. It allows officers to keep firearm carry capabilities regardless of the government’s status. The bill was initiated by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. (FLEOA)

• Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) says he won’t lift the hold he’s placed on Beth Cobert’s confirmation to be the permanent director of the Office of Personnel Management. Vitter wants the agency to change an OPM rule he said lets Congress avoid provisions in the Affordable Care Act because it has small business status. OPM said it never considered Congress a small business and the rule doesn’t either. (Federal News Radio)

• The chairman of the House Oversight Committee predicts new legislation to improve solvency at the Post Service. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) wants any bill to change USPS’ requirement to pre-pay retiree health benefits. Auditors said USPS has defaulted on $30 billion in payments to the fund. (Federal News Radio)

• The Defense Department is overhauling its Defense Innovation Unit Experimental. The organization was created to make connections with tech companies and non-traditional businesses in Silicon Valley. Now less than one year after its creation, Defense Secretary Ash Carter is replacing the leadership. The new mangers of DIUx are a handful of technologists, business executives and investors. Carter said DoD will also open another DIUx office in Boston. (Federal News Radio)

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