DHS Makes Progress in Implementing IT Reform, But CIO Involvement Lacking, Audit Finds

Homeland Security Today: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) still faces challenges in implementing certain Federal Information Technology (IT) Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) provisions, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit report.

GAO said while DHS “has fully implemented 28 of the 31 selected FITARA action plans … as of December 2016 DHS did not fulfill all aspects of 3 action plans. For example, one action plan is to use an updated process for reviewing troubled programs to provide support to such programs; however, DHS has not finalized its policy for this process. Until DHS ensures that these 3 plans are implemented, it will lack assurance that it is fulfilling FITARA’s goals.”

In 2015, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released FITARA implementation guidance outlining agency Chief Information Officer (CIO) responsibilities, and required agencies to develop action plans for implementing the guidance.

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