Modernization

Commission: Trump admin needs to prioritize cybersecurity

With its report now delivered to the White House, the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity says the next step is to implement the recommendations, starting with simply making cybersecurity a government priority.

Cybersecurity

Where would Mattis take cyber?

The president-elect's selection for secretary of defense is well known for his sometimes off-color comments on warfare and threats to the U.S., but James Mattis is largely a blank slate when it comes to cyber.

Modernization

$9 billion price tag likely dooms MGT Act

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementation of the Modernizing Government Technology Act will cost $9 billion over five years.

Acquisition

Donald Trump and federal procurement: Who woulda thunk it?

Steve Kelman notes that acquisition issues have surfaced twice already for the next administration.

Cybersecurity

Obama’s Cyber Commission Recommends New Cyber Role

The guide also encourages the federal government to cooperate more with industry to promote strong cybersecurity standards.

Digital Government

‘Catastrophic’ Power Outage Nearly Destroyed MSPB’s Electronic Records System

A newly released report shows how devastating a June 2015 incident was to the Merit System Protection Board.

Cybersecurity

53 steps to stronger cybersecurity

The Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity issued its long-awaited report, which calls for (among many other things) a new agency to consolidate, administer and secure federal IT infrastructure.

People

Tech leaders urge Senate to codify PIF program

A group of entrepreneurs, coders and former officials are urging the Senate to pass legislation that would make the Presidential Innovation Fellows program a permanent fixture of government.

Ideas

In 2017, Agencies Should Expect Forced Cyber Disruption

Government cybersecurity programs are not working as planned and a new approach is anticipated.

Digital Government

Cutting NASA Earth Observations Would Be a Costly Mistake

NASA’s Earth observation satellites provide constant real-time data on space, the atmosphere and the oceans—information critical to U.S. Navy and Defense Department operations worldwide

People

House VA committtee gets new boss

Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) will replace outgoing Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Cybersecurity

Feds help bag international malware platform

Working with other nations, the FBI helped take down a international criminal infrastructure platform that has been spewing malware and ransomware since 2009.

Emerging Tech

How Algorithms Can Bring Down Minorities' Credit Scores

Analyzing people’s social connections may lead to a new way of discriminating against them.

Acquisition

Senators press GSA on Trump hotel lease

How the 2013 agreement is now handled could be the first test for agencies faced with the president-elect's conflicts of interest.

Digital Government

U.S. Chief Data Scientist: 'Time is Now' For Technologists to Jump into Public Service

The data already exists, DJ Patil said, to solve some important crises—if only we could piece together the pieces.

Modernization

Apple Is Using Drones to Make its Maps Better

Apple was granted permission to fly drones by the Federal Aviation Administration in March