Digital Government

How the Veterans Affairs Department Went Digital During the Pandemic

Senior officials shared details and numbers on the department’s COVID-19-specific deployments.

Emerging Tech

EPA’s New Telecom Contract Will Ensure Every Employee Can Telework

The agency has yet to pick a vendor off the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract but has built-in key modernization goals for remote work, according to the inspector general.

Ideas

Directed Energy Weapons Shoot Painful but Non-Lethal Beams – Are Similar Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?

In 2020, a study on Havana syndrome by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concluded that the more than 130 victims experienced some real physical phenomena.

Digital Government

Biden Names His Pick for Permanent Defense CIO

John Sherman, currently serving in an acting capacity, will step down during the confirmation process.

Emerging Tech

Air Force, Navy Set to Gain New Supercomputers in $68M Deal

The Defense Department's High Performance Computing Modernization Program is funding the machines.

Ideas

GPS Lessons from Before 9/11 Still Endanger the U.S.

“Public policy must ensure, primarily, that safety is maintained even in the event of loss of GPS,” officials wrote in the 2001 Volpe Report.

Modernization

Federal CIO: Diversity, Accessibility Are Key to Improving Customer Experience

A diverse workforce and focus on accessibility will be central to administration’s efforts to improve customer experience.

Ideas

Alexa and Siri Won't Make Your Kids Bossy

A new study finds kids are sensitive to context when it comes to conversation.

Digital Government

Postal Service Law Enforcement Isn’t Fully Tracking Inspectors’ Use of Cryptocurrencies

Investigators reported using cryptocurrencies in nine closed cases. Auditors found another 1,064 that might not have been properly recorded.

Cybersecurity

FBI Official: Russia Is Not Cooperating with U.S. Against Ransomware Threat

Administration officials promised consequences after a meeting between presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.

Cybersecurity

Military Intel Officials Highlight Efforts to Counter Online Disinformation

Adversaries take advantage of moments in real time, such as when efforts are focused on withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Ideas

A New Platform Lets You Buy Shares of Blue-Chip Paintings – but Is Art a Wise Investment?

For as little as $20, you can now own a tiny piece of a valuable work of art.

Cybersecurity

How Equipment Left In Afghanistan Will Expose US Secrets

Even rendered inoperable, equipment now in the hands of the Taliban will yield troves of information about how the U.S. builds weapons and uses them.

Policy

Big Tech Under Scrutiny as White House Looks to Align Policy Approach with Europe

Lawmakers are also trying to beef up resources for domestic privacy and cybersecurity enforcement at an emboldened Federal Trade Commission.

Emerging Tech

Air Force Looks to Kaiju for Advanced Anti-Aircraft Countermeasures

Project Kaiju—expected in January—will include nine efforts named after famous giant monsters.