People
Executive order pushes SES overhaul
The White House issued sweeping requirements that will affect the entire professional life cycle of federal leaders.
Cybersecurity
McCain wants to scrutinize social media of U.S. visitors
Sen. John McCain introduced a bill Dec. 15 that would require the Department of Homeland Security to scour the social media presence of foreign travelers to the United States.
Cybersecurity
Air Force closes in on new directive for IT governance
Lisa Disbrow, President Obama's choice for the post of Undersecretary of the Air Force, updated a Senate panel on the Air Force's IT plans at her nomination hearing.
Modernization
Do Computers Need Pressure-Sensing Screens?
Apple's new 3D Touch could be revolutionary.
Digital Government
EPA broke the law with social media push, says GAO
By deploying social tools without the proper attribution and linking to outside web pages with political calls to action, the EPA stands accused of violating rules against "covert propaganda" and lobbying.
Emerging Tech
Tomorrow’s Internet of Things Will Rely on Today’s Aging Networks – and That’s a Problem
U.S. Chief Information Officer Tony Scott said government-owned networks have had a hard time keeping up with the rapid pace of change in technology.
Digital Government
Watchdog Calls EPA Tweets 'Covert Propaganda'
The agency used a social media campaign to drum up support for a controversial rule.
Digital Government
FBI Says It Uses ‘Zero-Day’ Exploits, Too
The Bureau uses the same security loopholes in software that unscrupulous hackers do.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity isn't just about money, OPM adviser says
OPM cyber guru Clifton Triplett wants agencies to make better use of the people and tools they already have.
Digital Government
DHS looks to lure startups into the government game
The Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security hopes a new and flexible procurement vehicle can help to attract tech startups.
Cybersecurity
New OPM Cyber Czar Worried About an ISIS Hack
Clifton Triplett -- named OPM's first-ever senior cyber and IT adviser last month – says forthcoming access controls will blunt the severity of any future hack.
Emerging Tech
DHS Wants to Offer Alternative Contracts to Silicon Valley Startups
Traditional procurement takes too long for the new Silicon Valley office, a new DHS notice says.
Emerging Tech
Amid Concern Over Nation’s Weather-Forecasting System, Congress Eyes Commercial Solutions
A legislator linked the rise of commercial vendors to the hurdles faced by NOAA as it operates two massive weather satellite operations.
Digital Government
MEGABYTE Act Seeks to Slash Software Waste
Short for “Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies," the bill requires agencies to assemble comprehensive inventories of software licenses.
Emerging Tech
Video: How Amazon Gets Your Order to You
An army of robots is behind that Amazon Prime shipment.
Cybersecurity
Joint Chiefs hack illustrates insufficient cyber defense
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said the hack "clearly highlighted for me...that whatever investments we've made in cyber defense to date have not gotten us to where we need to be."
Digital Government
Attention, Would-Be Astronauts: NASA Now Accepting Online Applications
Prepare to face some stiff competition.
Cybersecurity
Privacy groups discuss encryption with White House
Obama administration officials met with multiple civil liberties groups about a petition urging the president to support strong encryption.
Modernization
Star Wars’ R2-D2: The Original Mobile Device
The bleep-blooping droid from "Star Wars" helped shape people's perceptions of how machines can be helpers.
Cybersecurity