Chief Information Officer Open Recommendations: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

What GAO Found

In January 2026, GAO identified 30 open recommendations under the purview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chief Information Officer (CIO), from previously issued work. Each of these recommendations relates to a GAO High-Risk area: (1) Ensuring the Cybersecurity of the Nation or (2) Improving IT Acquisitions and Management.

For example, GAO previously recommended that NASA prepare and approve an organization-wide cybersecurity risk assessment. Further, GAO recommended that NASA fully implement all event logging requirements as directed by the Office of Management and Budget. In addition, GAO recommended that NASA develop an implementation plan with time frames to update its spacecraft acquisition policies and standards to incorporate essential controls required to protect against cyber threats.

GAO also previously recommended that the agency complete annual reviews of its IT portfolio consistent with federal requirements. The CIO's continued attention to these recommendations will help ensure the secure and effective use of IT at the agency.

Why GAO Did This Study

CIO open recommendations are outstanding GAO recommendations that warrant the attention of agency CIOs because their implementation could significantly improve government IT operations by securing IT systems, identifying cost savings, improving major government programs, eliminating mismanagement of IT programs and processes, or ensuring that IT programs comply with laws, among others.

For more information, contact Nick Marinos at [email protected].