Federal Reports

Elevated privileges grant users broad authority to modify configurations, access sensitive data, and control critical system functions of NASA information systems. IT privileges can pose security risks if not properly controlled. In the two elevated privileges accounts that we reviewed, we determined the Agency is effectively managing which users get administrative rights to NASA-provided computers.

During our unannounced inspection of U.S. Immigration and 3 Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Washington Field Office (Chantilly) 4 in Chantilly, Virginia, we found that ICE staff complied with 5 requirements for meal and water provision, facility capacity, and 6 average time in detention, as set by Office of Enforcement and 7 Removal Operations (ERO) Directive 11087.2: Operations of ERO 8 Holding Facilities, issued January 31, 2024.  Additionally, ICE 9 staff exceeded requirements by providing detainees with access 10 to resources beyond those outlined in the policy, such as access 11 to bathing facilities and telephones. 

An Amtrak lead operational specialist based in Washington, D.C., was terminated from employment on May 27, 2026, following the issuance of our investigative report. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policy by allowing a non-employee to accompany him in restricted areas without proper authorization and for knowingly submitting expenses and receiving reimbursements for meals for non-company employees. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.