Federal News Countdown: GSA spending, mobile security and improper payments

Bob Suda, president and senior consultant at Suda and Associates and In Depth's Francis Rose count down the top federal news stories of the week.

Today’s guests on the Federal News Countdown:
– Bob Suda, president and senior consultant, Suda and Associates
Francis Rose, In Depth anchor

Bob Suda’s stories
#3 Is mobile security a losing game?
From Federal Computer Week:

The surge of network-connected mobile devices has introduced a new kind of threat to an already crowded cyber landscape, and with it a new kind of concern: mobile security. With an increasing number of workers from both the federal and private sectors using their Blackberries, iPhones, Androids and iPads to conduct business, it’s a critical threat to address – and one that will require a step away from traditional cyber defense, according to industry insiders.

#2 Finding the hidden value in shared IT services
From Federal Computer Week:

When U.S. CIO Steven VanRoekel unveiled the draft shared IT services strategy in late 2011, the concept came as no news to one agency whose sharing approach dates back years.

#1 House panel to probe ‘outrageous’ GSA spending
From Federal Computer Week:

A House committee is turning its eye to the General Services Administration’s “outrageous” spending habits after news emerged that in addition to footing an $822,000 conference bill, the agency also spent $200,000 on an employee-award program.


Francis Rose’s stories
#3 Shrinking GAO budget concerns employees, oversight advocates
From Federal News Radio:

When the Government Accountability Office released its 400-page volume on duplicative and potentially wasteful government programs in February, lawmakers praised the investigative and auditing agency for being watchful stewards of taxpayer money. But just a few weeks later, the head of GAO, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, went before a Senate appropriations subcommittee, hat in hand, to ask an increasingly skeptical Congress for a modest increase in the agency’s funding for next year.

#2 White House unveils new tool to stop improper payments
From Federal News Radio:

The White House has unveiled a new tool to fight wasteful spending on payment errors and fraud. The “Do Not Pay” tool combs through multiple government databases, creating a single list for federal agencies to use to determine whether the recipients of payments, including grants and contracts, are eligible to receive them.

#1 Shakeup at GSA
From Federal News Radio:

On Monday, April 2, 2012, General Services Administration chief Martha Johnson stepped down from her post after firing Bob Peck, the commissioner of the Public Buildings Service, and GSA adviser Stephen Leeds. The shakeup in the administration came on the heels of an inspector general report that detailed excessive spending by the agency at a conference in 2010. Read Federal News Radio’s full coverage of the Shakeup at GSA.

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