The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s new director wants to get DCSA’s critical next-generation background investigations IT system back on track, while he also keeps an eye toward the “data-centric” future at the security agency. In his first interview since taking over as DCSA director in late March, David Cattler discussed his initial thoughts and priorities for the agency’s vast mission. Cattler has extensive experience throughout the intelligence community. He most recently served as NATO’s top intelligence and security official. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new audit looks at how one agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) manages its cloud computing assets. The HHS inspector general looked specifically at the Administration for Children and Families. To learn more, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke to the Assistant Inspector General for Cybersecurity and IT audits, Tamara Lilly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent update by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the Uniform Grants Guidance, aims to give state, local, and tribal governments more autonomy on how they spend federal grant money. The update engenders more importance, with substantial amounts of money coming in from the Inflation Reduction Act. For one view of how this could all play out, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with the assistant director for policy at the union-oriented Jobs to Move America, Valerie Lizarraga. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: The Biden Administration tweaks regulations for how states and cities can use federal funding. A look into whether one HHS component is properly securing its cloud information systems. Can this be? The Army has burned its software development bridges and will start over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of DoD facilities — from barracks to office buildings — are in pretty bad shape, and because of consistent maintenance shortfalls, things are generally getting worse. So as part of a new strategy for its bases, the department is trying a new approach, seeking permission from Congress to test a series of pilot projects that would demolish old buildings and consolidate the people who live and work in them into “livable communities.” In a legislative proposal the department sent to Capitol Hill last week, officials asked to demonstrate the new demolition and consolidation ideas at five locations over the next three years, spending up to $25 million at each site. It would be one of the first large tests of the new Resilient and Healthy Defense Communities strategy the department announced in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset have both been around for decades. They reduce or rule out Social Security benefits for some federal retirees. A bill to repeal them has been gaining unprecedented traction. For one view of this issue, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman spoke with the staff vice president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, John Hatton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS’ direct file program was created to make things easier on taxpayers. Direct file, as its called, helps certain taxpayers file their tax returns for free, utilizing the the IRS website. IRS is running a pilot program this filing season and may have been a bit off when estimating how much the program will cost. That’s the finding of the government accountability office (GAO). Federal News Network's Eric White got more from the GAO's Director of Strategic Issues, Jay McTigue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White House has given agencies until the end of the year to make sure their use of artificial intelligence is safe and fair. It tells practitioners to keep humans in the proverbial loop and to let people opt out of AI applications. And it also wants them to stop using AI if they cannot meet the safeguard rules. How feasible is all of this? For one view, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with the Principal Security Consultant for the cybersecurity company NCC group, David Brauchler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: Can agencies actually do what the White House ordered for artificial intelligence? The IRS underestimated the cost of letting people file for free. Congress again ponders updating Social Security policy for non-eligible federal retirees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices