The Department of Homeland Security’s reviewed information security programs for compliance with Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requirements. An evaluation was conducted according to fiscal year 2022 reporting instructions. The objective was to determine whether DHS’ information security program and practices were adequate and effective to protect the information and information systems that support DHS’ operations and assets for FY 2022.
The dramatic increases in migrant encounters and traffic at the Southwest border have magnified existing staffing challenges at CBP and ICE. In light of these intensifying issues, an audit was conducted to determine whether CBP and ICE are effectively managing law enforcement staffing resources to accomplish their mission at the Southwest border. Three recommendations were made.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses different processes under various statutory authorities to hire employees by type, such as permanent full-time employees and temporary reservists. Additionally, FEMA uses hiring flexibilities to hire employees for critical positions and augments its workforce if a disaster or emergency exceeds FEMA's capacity, such as with local hires and contractors, among others. However, GAO found FEMA has challenges calculating and reporting consistent and accurate timeframes for hiring to DHS. Documenting consistent methods would help FEMA accurately calculate its timeframes for hiring and use more reliable information to determine potential workforce changes needed to better prepare for future emergencies.
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) received a hotline complaint stating that the resilient high-frequency radio network (RHFRN) system was not functioning as intended. The OIG substantiated the complainant’s allegation that the RHFRN was not functioning as intended. Although the OIG did not identify fraud or abuse, VA funds were wasted because the network was not operational.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity, responsible for coordinating cyber incident response and mitigation. In December 2020, CISA issued an emergency directive about an advanced cyberattack that had caused a breach of SolarWinds software and Federal computing networks. This review was conducted to determine CISA’s ability to detect and mitigate risks from major cyberattacks based on lessons learned after the SolarWinds breach. Four recommendations are made to address CISA’s resource needs and improve technology to enhance cyber detection and mitigation.
The Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan (FIOP) guides federal departments and agencies (hereafter “federal agencies”) in executing the response and recovery mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal to achieve Unity of Effort through coordination and communication following an incident for which an interagency response is required. Response and recovery are two of the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal.
The 2022 Annual Report showcases many of the Center’s accomplishments and outlines plans for 2023. Some of the highlights include: Stop the Bleed continues to reach thousands of individuals through the app and FAST (First Aid for Severe Trauma) course specifically designed for high school students, Military-Civilian NYC COVID-19 Response Workshop which brought together military and civilian health care professionals to share lessons and evaluate the response in NYC to the pandemic, DoD National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Pilot Program, which expanded its efforts to include site implementation plans at each of the five Pilot sites, a master implementation plan and countless collaborations between military and civilian health care organizations.
The 50-member nonpartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released its Aerial Equipment Strategy Report on February 13, 2023. To improve federal policies related to U.S. wildland fires, this report outlines a strategy to meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030.
In response to COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiated Project Airbridge to mitigate shortfalls in medical supply distributors’ personal protective equipment (PPE) and facilitate the delivery of critical PPE to the most needed locations. The objective of this audit was to determine the extent to which FEMA provided oversight of Project Airbridge and ensured its commercial partners distributed medical supplies to prioritized healthcare facilities in designated locations. Two recommendations were made to improve FEMA’s management and oversight of future public/private partnerships.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Countering Human Trafficking Year in Review reports on select accomplishments and advancements made by DHS offices and components toward countering human trafficking. These annual reports include links to additional information resources that explain DHS’s counter-trafficking operations, outreach, and other efforts.
