Federal Reports

An Amtrak service/train attendant based in New Orleans was terminated from employment on October 29, 2021, following her administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policies by failing to report an April 2019 drug-related arrest as required by company policy. During her interview, the former employee acknowledged her arrest and admitted that she failed to report it to the company.

As required by FISMA, OIG reviewed USDA’s ongoing efforts to improve its information technology security program and practices during FY 2021.

Our objective was to determine whether the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) overall information technology (IT) security programs and practices were effective as they relate to Federal information security requirements.The Department made several improvements in implementing its cybersecurity posture. In FY21 the Department improved in three functional areas and three metric areas from Level 2 Defined to Level 3 Consistently Implemented.However, its overall IT security programs and practices were not effective in all the five security functions. We had findings in four of the nine metric domains, which included findings with the same or similar conditions identified in prior reports, as well as open findings from previous years where the corrective action plan was not completed.Although the Department made considerable progress in strengthening its information security programs, we found areas needing improvement in all nine metric domains.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not always ensure only low-risk drivers participate in its Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

This report was submitted to the Comptroller General in accordance with Section 5 of the Government Accountability Office Act of 2008. The report summarizes the activities of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the six-month reporting period ending September 30, 2021. During the reporting period, the OIG issued one audit report and continued two performance audits. In addition, the OIG closed 15 investigations and two self-initiated inquiries, and opened 10 new investigations. The OIG processed 59 hotline complaints, many of which were referred to other OIGs for action because the matters involved were within their jurisdictions. The OIG remained active in the GAO and OIG communities by briefing new GAO employees on its audit and investigative missions, and participating in committees and working groups of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, including those related to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. Details of these activities and other accomplishments are provided in the report.

October 2021 Semiannual Report to Congress

Semiannual Report