People

Mattis mulls consolidation in IT, cyber

In a Feb. 17 memo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told senior leadership to establish teams to look for duplication across the armed services in business operations, including in IT and cybersecurity.

Digital Government

GSA watchdog barks at 18F on shadow IT

Innovation shop 18F is playing by its own rules, according to the General Services Administration's inspector general.

Modernization

UPS Is Testing Drones That Allow Its Delivery Trucks to Be in Two Places at Once

Spending all day waiting for a package delivery may one day be a thing of the past.

Cybersecurity

Wyden objects to DHS password collection plan

The Democratic senator hope to block plans, floated by the Homeland Security secretary, to collect social media and mobile device passwords as a condition for travelers to enter the United States.

Modernization

DHS chief takes first steps to building a border wall

DHS picks sites in Arizona, California and Texas to begin building a planned border wall, and also moves to hire thousands of new border agents.

Cybersecurity

Could Segmentation Restore the Federal Cybersecurity Perimeter?

Using segmentation requires thinking about cybersecurity in a way almost completely opposite of tradition.

Cybersecurity

Why the private sector shouldn't rely on feds for cybersecurity

Despite cybersecurity policy advances, former DHS officials say the private sector should not expect much help from the government with hacks and breaches.

Modernization

IG: Interior risks exposing sensitive data

Deficient IT security controls at a core data center put the Department of Interior at risk of exposing sensitive and personally identifiable information.

Cybersecurity

Hackers Target Journalists, Tribal Members and Use Forged Cookies

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.

Emerging Tech

SpaceX’s Launch This Weekend Is a Monument to Space Capitalism—Just Ask NASA

This marks the beginning of a new phase of American operations in space.

Cybersecurity

NIST Wants To Know How Utility Companies Can Deter Hackers

The federal government wants input on the best ways to protect companies from losing control of physical assets.

Cybersecurity

An Interior Data Center's Security May Have Exposed Data for Years

An OIG report suggests the Bureau of Indian Affairs' cyber program wasn't enough to protect 24 systems internally.

Modernization

DHS Showcases Bluetooth Tech at RSA

DHS’ cyber research division looks for technology the private sector will use but might not develop on its own.

Emerging Tech

Tech + Tequila: Come See How the Government is Using Drones for Good

Drones can do more than make deliveries.

Artificial Intelligence

The Robot That Takes Your Job Should Pay Taxes, Says Bill Gates

It’s a striking position from the world’s richest man and a self-described techno-optimist who co-founded Microsoft.

Digital Government

States still seek answers on election tech

State officials are still pushing for answers from DHS on critical infrastructure designation. DHS wants to talk.

Digital Government

Chaffetz bills would outlaw warrantless stingray use

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) introduced two bills that would rein in law enforcement's use of technologies that tracking users via their mobile phones.

People

DISA CTO to retire

David Mihelcic spent the final 19 years of his government career with the Defense Information Systems Agency.