Cybersecurity
Lawmakers lose patience with NBIB over clearance backlog
Senators expressed deep frustration about the government's lack of progress reducing the backlog of 700,000 pending security clearance requests, with some threatening to overhaul the process completely.
Digital Government
DOJ launches one-stop shop for FOIA requests
The Department of Justice launched a one-stop shop for users to submit online Freedom of Information Act requests across government.
People
OPM puts agencies on notice about hiring politicals for civil service jobs
The federal government's HR agency put up a caution flag about hiring former political appointees for career jobs, as Congress weighs in on the practice of current politicals "burrowing in" to the civil service.
Digital Government
Senate Panel Seeks Answers on Clearance Backlog
A government watchdog group put the process back on its high-risk list after pending actions exceeded 700,000.
Artificial Intelligence
This is Why the IARPA Director Doesn’t Worry About Self-Aware Artificial Intelligence
Poorly engineered artificial intelligence is more likely to keep Jason Matheny up at night than a program becoming sentient.
Modernization
U.S. Fears China Winning on 5G if Broadcom Gets to Take Over Qualcomm
Broadcom’s hostile takeover attempt would mark the largest-ever tech acquisition in history.
Emerging Tech
Drone Swarms Are Going to Be Terrifying and Hard to Stop
“Now the improvised explosive devices will find our warfighters."
Artificial Intelligence
Would the FBI Arrest Tony Stark or Ultron?
As artificial intelligence programs become aware and autonomous, law enforcement will have to figure out where responsibility lies.
Modernization
Pentagon's Commercial Cloud Will Be a Single Award—And Industry Isn't Happy
The Pentagon released a draft request for proposal for what is expected to be its largest cloud acquisition to date.
Policy
White House Wants To Let Law Enforcement Bring Down Civilian Drones
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a small drone that poses a threat!
Digital Government
This is What The White House Science And Tech Office Has Been Up To
The president’s science and technology advisers released a rundown of major milestones over the last year, from creating the American Technology Council to the passage of the Modernizing Government Technology Act.
Acquisition
Senate panel approves DHS authorization
A Senate panel voted up a DHS authorization bill, but it stripped out provisions to focus the agency on improving election system cybersecurity capabilities.
Cybersecurity
OPM’s Post-Breach Contracting Efforts Fall Short Again, IG Says
The way OPM contracted for credit monitoring services has come under scrutiny.
Digital Government
The Office of the Future Will Be a Distracted Dystopia. We Have Some Better Ideas
There is a clear friction between technology and how offices are currently designed.
Modernization
DOD details its plans for JEDI cloud contract
The timeline for a department-wide commercial cloud solution is aggressive, but Pentagon officials say deeper in-house expertise and better internal cooperation can get them to an award this year.
Cybersecurity
Air Force plans to convert IT staff into cyber force
The Air Force hopes to solve the cyber worker shortage by redefining traditional IT jobs, starting at seven bases.
Digital Government
For 10 Years, I Read the Comments
Farewell to my stressful, dispiriting, but occasionally awesome life as an internet comment moderator.
Digital Government
House Passes Bill Strengthening Powers of FCC CIO
The bill would reauthorize the Federal Communications Commision, encourage broadband development and make some changes to the commission’s oversight.
Acquisition
Can Census staff up for 2020?
With the decennial count looming, a watchdog report finds problems with how the Census Bureau handles background checks of temporary employees.
Acquisition