Digital Government
Lawmaker: 'Encryption is Going to be a Big Issue in 2016'
Fueled by recent events and the 2016 election, expect the debate over encryption to heat up next year.
Cybersecurity
Cyber threat agency navigates growing pains
The White House's plan for fusing cyber intelligence after the massive hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment got off to a rocky start, but an insider says agency turf battles that appeared ready to unfold have been quieted.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Bungled Y2K Planning, According to Newly Declassified Docs
If something had gone wrong as the world entered the new millennium, the Pentagon may not have been prepared for the consequences.
Digital Government
Build or buy? Critical Census IT decisions loom in 2016
The coming year is full of critical milestones as the Census Bureau prepares for 2020, but fundamental strategy questions remain unanswered.
Modernization
Coming in 2016: Cloud legislation
The New Year will bring a bill designed to streamline the way agencies fund, acquire and approve the move to cloud computing.
Digital Government
Protests Against 18F’s Agile Development Deal Resolved -- But Next Steps Still Unclear
Introduced as a way to speed up the technology buying process, the BPA's implementation has been sluggish.
Digital Government
IRS programming glitch costs millions in errant tax refunds
A code error led to the IRS paying out tens of millions in suspect tax refunds that it meant to peg for further examination.
Acquisition
Deadline extended for Federal 100 nominations!
You now have until Monday, Jan. 4, to get them in. Happy holidays!
Modernization
Bank of America Loads Up on Bitcoin Patents
Bankers may not think bitcoin will ever go fully mainstream, but they clearly believe there is value in the technology that powers such cryptocurrencies, known as blockchain.
Emerging Tech
The Latest SpaceX Launch Could be Make or Break for Elon Musk
Since the company’s June to mission the International Space Station ended in an explosive failure, SpaceX has been forced to delay its commercial manifest, costing it and its clients millions of dollars.
Digital Government
Video: Inside the Ruins of an NSA Spy Station
During the Cold War the U.S. built a secret facility to gather intelligence on East Germany. That facility still exists.
Digital Government
The Real Story of NORAD’s Santa Tracker
It sounds too good to be true. And, as it happens, it almost certainly is.
Modernization
FedRAMP issues last call for comments on high-baseline standards
Comments are due Jan. 8 on security standards that would cover sensitive unclassified data.
Digital Government
OMB Aims to Curb Waste in Agencies’ Software Buying
The new policy tasks an interagency tiger team with developing governmentwide software agreements and requires agencies to appoint in-house software managers.
Modernization
Truly committing to innovation and the cloud
Government's success is enabled by using contracting practices that reward rather than discourage new ideas and approaches.
Cybersecurity
Clinton calls for 'Manhattan-like project' on encryption
Clinton has elevated her voice among current and former Obama administration officials warning of the potentially dire consequences of "going dark."
Acquisition
White House hopes to trim $9B software spend
Can smarter management and detailed reporting requirements help agencies stop overpaying for software?
Cybersecurity
Can the U.S. push the world to accept cyber norms?
As international cyber norms take shape at a slow pace, experts consider how individual nations can lead, follow and take matters into their own hands.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Chief Didn't Violate Governmentwide Ban on Using Personal Email for Business
Using personal email while carrying out government business is an issue that’s come up repeatedly in recent months.
Cybersecurity