Big Change

New President. New Congress. New agency leaders.

Big change is coming and that means big challenges for a lot of government folks, including the Government Accountability Office. Say what you will, the GAO is worth listening to.

GAO chief Gene Dodaro says one of the biggest challenges will be technology -- how to buy it, how to keep it safe, how to get from contractors what taxpayers are paying for.

Dodaro spelled out his thoughts in a presentation at Input FedFocus 2009, called "Upcoming Transition Includes Key Information Technology Challenges."

At a time when the country is engaged in a war abroad and an unprecedented financial struggle at home, the government will need to address a wide array of issues in cyberspace, according to Dodaro's presentation. That includes looking out for Internet attacks, protecting against hackers and minimizing disruption of services. Most federal agencies do a poor job of protecting their computer systems.

Agencies will also have to do a better job delivering on the promises of the Freedom of Information Act, a system that sputters more and more it seems, making the acquisition of government records a hit-or-miss affair.

"The timeliness of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing continues to be a challenge for many agencies," Dodaro's presentation says. "Agencies will need to ensure that plans to reduce backlogged FOIA requests are developed and implemented appropriately, and the results monitored."

Amen.

Stay tuned for details about what the GAO believes are going to be even more urgent issues facing the government. Later this week, the oversight agency will launch a new Web site dedicated to the transition.

Government Inc. will be watching for procurement- and money-related matters. What ideas do you have?

By Robert O'Harrow |  November 3, 2008; 5:45 PM ET
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Posted by: rickblum | November 4, 2008 3:05 PM

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