# GAO Flags Gaps in $10.3B DoD IT Programs

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found performance-measurement, fraud-risk training, agile-delivery, cybersecurity, and zero-trust planning gaps across 18 major Department of Defense IT business programs with approximately $10.3 billion in planned spending for FY2024–FY2026. GAO recommended stronger IT-specific fraud-risk training; seven programs reported that staff lacked or were unaware of relevant training, while 12 reported some level of zero-trust implementation ahead of the department’s 2027 deadline. The findings are oversight recommendations, not a solicitation or contract award.

- Contractors supporting these programs should be prepared for greater scrutiny of measurable outcomes, software-development controls, fraud-risk awareness, and approved cybersecurity strategies.
- The planned spending represents a significant portfolio of government IT activity, but the report does not identify a new procurement opportunity or guarantee funding for any specific contract.
- Organizations working with the programs can review their performance measures, staff training, software integrity controls, and zero-trust implementation plans against the oversight priorities identified by GAO.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO)
- Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)

### Sources
- [GAO Flags Fraud, Cyber, Performance Gaps Across $10.3B in DOD IT Programs – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/gao-flags-fraud-cyber-performance-gaps-across-10-3b-in-dod-it-programs) - MeriTalk
- [GAO Urges Fraud Risk Training for Pentagon IT Programs](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/gao-pentagon-it-business-programs-fraud-risk-training) - ExecutiveGov