HHS just cut 40+ IT policies down to 2. Here's what federal ITAM leaders need to know.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- HHS reducing 40+ IT policies → 2 comprehensive documents (one for IT management, one for security)
- Goal: Improve transparency and eliminate policy confusion for federal employees and contractors
- Impact: Blueprint for agencies to simplify IT governance while strengthening ITAM programs
- Opportunity: Federal IT leaders can advocate for similar reforms in their organizations
HHS Reduces 40+ IT Policies to Just 2: What This Means for Your Agency's ITAM Program
The Department of Health and Human Services announced a major policy consolidation initiative that should have every federal IT leader taking notes. After managing more than 40 IT policies accumulated over two decades, HHS is streamlining everything into just two comprehensive documents.
This isn't administrative housekeeping. It's a transparency initiative that creates immediate opportunities for federal IT asset management professionals to strengthen their programs during this policy evolution.
What HHS is doing
Robin Collins, Chief Information Officer at HHS's Administration for Children and Families, described the initiative: "We're looking at over 40 IT policies that were put in place over twenty-something years."
The goal? Two policies total.
"We're looking at having one policy for IT management and oversight, and one policy for security. That's our goal, that's kind of our North Star." — Robin Collins, CIO, ACF
Collins explained the vision: "It doesn't have to be this convoluted. The goal here is to have greater transparency so that we can be more effective."
Why this matters beyond HHS
When a major federal agency streamlines IT governance, it influences policy development across government. This initiative signals that other agencies may pursue similar simplification.
For federal IT asset managers, this is your blueprint.
HHS has already demonstrated that effective asset management leads to:
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Optimized hardware budgets
- Improved software spending
- Better lifecycle management
Streamlined policies make these outcomes easier to achieve.
The real-world impact on federal ITAM
Collins and Deputy CIO Kevin Duvall shared specific examples of how policy simplification improves operations:
Three lessons for federal ITAM professionals
1. Simplification enables better compliance
Streamlined policies create frameworks that are easier to follow and audit. HHS's reduction from 40+ policies to two demonstrates this principle in action.
Modern ITAM implementations require clear policies covering purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, asset lifecycle management, and regular reviews.
2. Transparency strengthens vendor relationships
Public IT policies help contractors understand requirements before submitting proposals. This streamlines procurement and can lead to:
- More effective ITAM tool implementations
- Enhanced support services
- More competitive bidding
- Better solution value
3. Consistency improves security posture
Aligned policies support stronger security frameworks. Organizations investing in proper compliance see significant benefits, while non-compliance incidents can cost an average of $14.82 million.
Streamlined policies help ensure ITAM practices align with security requirements and regulatory mandates, strengthening your overall cybersecurity posture.
The broader federal context
This HHS initiative reflects the ongoing federal commitment to modernize IT governance and enhance operational efficiency.
Federal agencies are developing ITAM programs that:
- Support centralized asset management
- Meet OMB requirements
- Enable effective reporting to oversight bodies
The timing is strategic. As agencies continue implementing FITARA requirements and advancing cybersecurity capabilities, simplified and transparent policies make it easier to demonstrate compliance and adapt to evolving requirements.
Take action now
Federal IT leaders have an opportunity to lead similar initiatives.
Use the HHS example to:
The momentum for transparency in federal IT governance is growing. Agencies that embrace simplification now will be well-positioned to navigate future policy changes while maintaining strong, compliant ITAM programs.
Frequently asked questions
The Department of Health and Human Services is consolidating over 40 IT policies that were developed over more than 20 years into just two comprehensive documents: one for IT management and oversight, and one for security.
HHS aims to eliminate confusion caused by contradictory policies, improve transparency for federal employees and contractors, and create a clearer governance framework that supports effective operations while meeting federal compliance requirements.
HHS plans to make all IT policies publicly accessible on the internet, making it easier for contractors to understand requirements before submitting proposals. This eliminates issues like broken links to internal documents and provides clear guidance on IT rules and expectations.
While this is an HHS-specific initiative, it signals a broader trend toward policy simplification across federal government. Other agencies may pursue similar consolidation efforts to improve their own IT governance frameworks.
Streamlined, consistent policies make it easier to maintain compliant ITAM practices, reduce confusion about requirements, support better vendor relationships, and allow IT teams to focus on asset optimization rather than policy interpretation.
Conduct a policy audit within your organization, identify contradictory or outdated IT policies, document how simplification could improve ITAM effectiveness, and advocate for similar transparency initiatives that support operational excellence.
Specific implementation timelines have not been publicly announced. HHS leadership has indicated this is an active initiative, but agencies should monitor official HHS communications for updates on rollout schedules.
The policy consolidation supports FITARA compliance by creating clearer governance frameworks. Federal agencies must still meet all FITARA requirements, but simplified policies can make compliance demonstration and reporting more straightforward.
Get expert guidance
Ready to strengthen your agency's ITAM program with expert guidance on federal compliance and policy optimization? Contact our team to explore how we can support your transparency and modernization objectives, or schedule a discussion with our federal ITAM experts to discuss solutions tailored to your agency's needs.
