Emerging Tech

Industry Group Weighs In: FedRAMP Needs Fixing

The industry group’s recommendations mirror efforts announced by the FedRAMP office last week, which focused on speeding up authorizations as well as increasing transparency.

Digital Government

Here’s How the Pentagon Plans to Protect Security Clearance Data

The new IT systems storing background investigation forms on millions of federal employees and contractors will use end-to-end encryption.

Digital Government

Report: OMB Cuts Contracts for Mobile Devices

The new policy could force agencies to consolidate their contracts over the next few years.

Modernization

Industry group seeks revamp for FedRAMP

FedRAMP, according to some cloud service providers, is too expensive and time consuming.

Digital Government

Should Intelligence Whistleblowers Be Protected?

Employees seeking to report wrongdoing are safeguarded across all federal agencies—but the process for doing so in the classified intelligence community can be dangerous.

Modernization

Army to test crucial software tools

The new tools will help soldiers configure and defend the global Warfighter Information Network-Tactical.

Emerging Tech

Video: How Do We Make Rules for Self-Driving Cars?

A trip to Google headquarters can hopefully provide some answers.

Ideas

Don’t Ask for Permission to Use Agile. Just Start Doing It.

In attempting to move your program to agile methods, you may encounter a number of challenges more common for government program managers than for commercial firms.

Digital Government

Wanted: agile robots

NIST is looking for new agility in robotic design, including smart manufacturing techniques and component interoperability.

Digital Government

New contracting rule targets confidentiality agreements

A proposed change to the Federal Acquisition Regulation would eliminate confidentialy agreements that could potentially stifle whistleblowers.

Acquisition

Post-award contract management: Trying to figure out what is happening on the ground

Steve Kelman applauds ASI Government for sharing valuable knowledge -- and notes that there are still plenty of other questions to answer.

Digital Government

Why the $300 million software project needs to go extinct

Private-sector innovation could send massive, failure-prone projects the way of the dinosaur if federal agencies are willing and able to seize the opportunity, says one leading CIO.

Modernization

Nuclear response teams get a lighter load

The federal agency that responds to radiological incidents around the country doesn't have as much communications gear to lug around these days.

Cybersecurity

Justice seeking access to encrypted communications

Law enforcement agencies remain concerned that strong encryption of everyday electronic communications is hampering criminal investigations and prosecutions, a top Justice official said.

Cybersecurity

TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct all Use This Security Feature. Why Doesn’t the IRS?

The Internal Revenue Service is not keeping pace with modern hacking, according to agency watchdogs.

Digital Government

Facebook Is Giving Users a New Way to Access it on the 'Dark Web'

Facebook’s Tor site is one way for people to access their accounts when the regular Facebook site is blocked by governments.

Emerging Tech

The Next Generation of Drones Is Actually Living up to the Hype

The drones on show at this year’s CES point toward a near future where drones are as easy to use as smartphones—and potentially as ubiquitous.