Emerging Tech

Energy Department's Random Number Generator Could Make for Stronger Encryption

Oak Ridge scientists believe they have created a quantum-based device that creates truly random numbers.

Digital Government

Trump tech office looks to improve customer experience

A senior White House tech adviser said that administration's priorities include improving citizen-facing services, shared services and pushing open government legislation.

Cybersecurity

DHS offers new details on Kaspersky ban

The Department of Homeland Security published the full text of its Kaspersky ban in the Federal Register just as the Senate voted to ban the company from federal networks as an amendment to the defense bill.

Acquisition

IRS relies on obsolete hardware, IG finds

An inspector general audit found the IRS is losing ground when it comes to replacing outdated IT hardware, with budget constraints topping the list of reasons.

Modernization

Last call for feedback on cloud guide for feds

The federal Cloud Center of Excellence is seeking in-person input from both industry and government at a Sept. 26 event.

Ideas

What Government Buyers Need to Know About Rugged Devices

There are lots of little nuances that buyers should know when evaluating rugged gear.

Cybersecurity

An Anti-Virus Company Accidentally Distributed a PC Virus, And Maybe Let’s Just Cancel the Internet

If you downloaded and installed a copy of Avast’s CCleaner between August 15 and September 12, you could be in trouble.

Digital Government

IT Modernization Bill Clears Senate as Part of Defense Authorization Bill

The OPEN Government Data Act also advances, along with other tech and cyber goodies.

Digital Government

GSA Shakes Up Federal Acquisition Leadership

The acquisition service will have some familiar faces and expects more permanent regional leaders soon.

Cybersecurity

Equifax Breach Prompts Renewed Calls for National Breach Notification Standard

The proposed national standard would replace a patchwork of 48 state standards for when consumers must be notified about a breach.

Emerging Tech

National Guard’s Smart Radios Create Networks in Disaster Zones

The radios link together to create a secure network on the fly—even where there isn’t infrastructure.

Digital Government

GSA elevates Davie, makes changes at 18F

Longtime IT procurement specialist Mary Davie is now deputy commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, while 18F Acting Executive Director Dave Zvenyach becomes acting assistant commissioner for the FAS Office of Systems Management.

Artificial Intelligence

Can the US Military Re-Invent the Microchip for the AI Era?

As conventional microchip design reaches its limits, DARPA is pouring money into the specialty chips that might power tomorrow’s autonomous machines.

Modernization

$500M IT modernization plan passes Senate in defense bill

A bill to help agencies modernize legacy systems and move to the cloud passed the Senate as part of the $700 billion defense bill.

Digital Government

Census dinged by IG for canvassing error rate

A recent Department of Commerce inspector general report raises questions about the quality control procedures for an in-office component of the Census Bureau's address canvassing operation.

Cybersecurity

House Dem revives data breach bill after Equifax hack

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) is hoping the massive Equifax breach will induce lawmakers to finally pass nationwide data breach notification standards.

Modernization

FAA greenlights drone use in Irma recovery

Hurricane Irma generated a wave of drone authorizations at FAA as recovery work ramped up in Florida.

Emerging Tech

Sorry, Drones and Self-Driving Cars Won’t Be Delivering Your Amazon Packages Anytime Soon

With urban congestion bad and getting worse, how will we get all our packages?