Through their goal of providing “timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, nonideological, fair, and balanced”, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is one of the most important offices in government. As such, here are some of the latest reports I find particularly relevant and interesting, and at least worth a skim of the highlights and recommendations.

Information Sharing: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining in Sharing Terrorism-Related Information
GAO-12-144T, October 12 (23 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-144T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12144thigh.pdf
Tags: Homeland Security, Information Management

Federal Chief Information Officers: Opportunities Exist to Improve Role in Information Technology Management
GAO-11-634, September 15 (72 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-634
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11634high.pdf
Tags: Information Technology

Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: Enhanced Stakeholder Consultation and Use of Risk Information Could Strengthen Future Reviews
GAO-11-873, September 15 (69 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-873
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11873high.pdf
Tags: Homeland Security

Data Mining: DHS Needs to Improve Executive Oversight of Systems Supporting Counterterrorism
GAO-11-742, September 7 (75 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-742
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11742high.pdf
Tags: Information Management, Information Technology

Information Security: Additional Guidance Needed to Address Cloud Computing Concerns
GAO-12-130T, October 6 (17 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-130T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12130thigh.pdf
Tags: Information Security

Information Security: Weaknesses Continue Amid New Federal Efforts to Implement Requirements
GAO-12-137, October 3 (49 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-137
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12137high.pdf
Tags: Information Security

Information Technology: OMB Needs to Improve Its Guidance on IT Investments
GAO-11-826, September 29 (58 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-826
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11826high.pdf
Tags: Information Technology

Aviation Safety: Enhanced Oversight and Improved Availability of Risk- Based Data Could Further Improve Safety
GAO-12-24, October 5 (65 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-24
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1224high.pdf
Tags: Transportation

Language and Culture Training: Opportunities Exist to Improve Visibility and Sustainment of Knowledge and Skills in Army and Marine Corps General Purpose Forces
GAO-12-50, October 31 (46 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-50
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1250high.pdf
Tags: National Defense

Warfighter Support: DOD Has Made Progress, but Supply and Distribution Challenges Remain in Afghanistan
GAO-12-138, October 7 (79 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-138
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12138high.pdf
Tags: National Defense

National Preparedness: Improvements Needed for Acquiring Medical Countermeasures to Threats from Terrorism and Other Sources
GAO-12-121, October 26 (58 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-121
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d12121high.pdf
Tags: Health Care, Homeland Security

Income Security: The Effect of the 2007-2009 Recession on Older Adults
GAO-12-172T, October 18 (10 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-172T
Tags: Retirement Security

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Actions Taken to Address Most Procurement Recommendations
GAO-11-794, September 6 (39 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-794
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11794high.pdf
Tags: Government Operations, Information Technology

EPA Health Risk Assessments: Oversight and Sustained Management Key to Overcoming Challenges
GAO-12-148T, October 6 (12 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-148T
Tags: Health Care, Natural Resources and Environment

Health Care Price Transparency: Meaningful Price Information Is Difficult for Consumers to Obtain Prior to Receiving Care
GAO-11-791, September 23 (43 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-791
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11791high.pdf
Tags: Health Care

Federal Courthouses: Improved Collaboration Needed to Meet Demands of a Complex Security Environment
GAO-11-857, September 28 (51 pages)
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-857
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11857high.pdf
Tags: Homeland Security