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

DISA looking for info on cloud-based military email

An RFI outlines the parameters for moving the Pentagon's unclassified email system to the cloud.

People

How decision modeling can make for better government

Business decision logic is a type of data, and it's time agencies started treating it that way.

Artificial Intelligence

DHS Wants Boeing to Test a Brain Chip in Firm’s Self-Destructing 'Black' Spyphone

The secret sauce of the mobile device is a so-called neuromorphic computer chip that imitates human learning,

Cybersecurity

Federal Cybersecurity Second Only to Finance Industry, New Report Says

Despite the OPM hack, federal cybersecurity isn't so bad -- especially compared to the education industry.

Digital Government

HHS Focuses on Flexibility in New Health IT Plan

HHS' final Federal Health IT Strategic Plan leaves room for the unknown, according to health IT chief Karen DeSalvo.

Cybersecurity

Some Legacy IT in Government Is so Old, It’s 'Indefensible,’ Official Says

Security remains a “bolt-on” rather than embedded into many IT systems.

Digital Government

Video: New Version of Microsoft Word Allows You to Skype with Collaborators

Your favorite Office programs are getting more social.