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

Clinton Campaign Voter Records Breached; Hackers Invade Juniper Networks, & Pickpocket Bubba Gump Patrons

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

Ideas

5 Cyber Risk Trends for 2016

These are the top themes CIOs and CISOs should have on their radar in the new year.

Cybersecurity

Jokesters Attack European Space Agency Systems

Government (Foreign) // France

Digital Government

The Life-Saving Train Technology That Congress Isn’t Fully Funding

The omnibus budget bill allocated money for a railroad-safety measure that prevents accidents. But not enough.

Digital Government

Mark Zuckerberg’s Plea for Internet Freedom Means Nothing if he Keeps Kissing up to China

Where was Zuckerberg’s statement when China blocked Instagram, another property owned by Facebook?