Cybersecurity
White House: No Cyberattack Pact with China, For Now
The Chinese president’s visit to Washington will highlight how far apart the two nations are on cyber issues.
People
Mounting requirements, shrinking staffs plague IGs
Expanded responsibilities under the Data Act are only going to make things tougher for understaffed IG offices, says a new report.
People
Coding boot camps: 'Very empowering, very transformational'
As an alternative or supplement to a computer science degree, coding boot camps can help women get their foot in the door – or kick in the door -- of the tech workforce.
Modernization
EIS RFP might spill into October
GSA says it will set the fees agencies pay to use the telecom contracting vehicle “significantly” lower than originally planned.
Cybersecurity
Federal cybersecurity: Not as bad as you might think
Despite a spate of major breaches, turns out the federal government has relatively good cybersecurity, at least according to a new study from BitSight Technologies.
Cybersecurity
Tax Collectors Want 'Selfies' to Prove You Are Who You Say You Are
States receive federal funds to verify the smartphone self-portraits of citizens, as a means of preventing refund fraud.
Digital Government
Agencies Harnessing Data to Make Your Visit to a Government Office More Bearable
Feedback USA is a system of kiosks that allow citizens to rate their experience visiting field offices and other agency locations.
Digital Government
Silicon Valley Shouldn’t Let China Strong-Arm it Into Spying
With companies under mounting pressure to aid abusive government surveillance, the industry must decide whether to stand up for their most vulnerable users even if that may affect its business opportunities.
Digital Government
European Court Opinion Threatens NSA Spying Overseas
A nonbinding decision Wednesday deemed “invalid” the pact under which Europe and the U.S. share data.
Modernization
This Classroom in a Suitcase Puts 40 Kids Online via Virtually Unbreakable Tablets
A hard plastic suitcase is being marketed as the thing to transform education in Africa.
Cybersecurity
More stolen fingerprints, an Einstein contract, an invisibility cloak and more
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Digital Government
EPA Needs to Get Better at Recording IT Spending
A recent audit recommended EPA issue new policy for tech investment reporting.
Ideas
Does Government Need ‘Hardware-Separated’ Operating Systems?
We need a way to solve the “elevated privileges” dilemma.
Cybersecurity
DISA cyber protection teams deployed
DISA's Lt. Gen. Alan Lynn has moved quickly to defend besieged Defense Department networks.
Digital Government
Only 1 in 7 of the Pentagon’s Emails is Legit
Out of 700 million emails sent to Pentagon account monthly, about 98 million are actually "good emails,” an official says.
Digital Government
Can the next president be transparent if s/he tries?
It doesn't matter who the next president is, those pushing transparency and IT innovation in government will still be frustrated, says one of the Data Act's champions.
Cybersecurity
OPM Says 5 Times More Federal Employees Had Fingerprint Data Stolen in Hack Than First Believed
The number of federal personnel whose fingerprint data was stolen in the hack has increased from approximately 1.1 million people to 5.6 million.
Cybersecurity
Washington's role in hack-proofing cars: A light touch?
The threat of Internet-enabled car hacking looms large in the American psyche. But should agencies rush to put out rules, or can industry find its own way to secure vehicles?
Modernization