Cybersecurity

House Oversight Chief Probes OPM Hack Timeline

Rep. Jason Chaffetz is zeroing in on a March 2014 cyberintrusion at the agency, during which hackers made off with what amounted to a blueprint of OPM’s IT systems.

Cybersecurity

Chaffetz wants answers from US-CERT, OPM on hack

A top watchdog in Congress isn't done with his probes into the theft of personal data on feds.

Modernization

In search of virtualization

Responding to calls from Congress and the Pentagon, several Defense Department components are seeking better virtualization technologies.

Cybersecurity

Can America thump China for the OPM hack – and should it?

Foreign relations experts tackle tough questions of how, and if, the U.S. should retaliate against China for the latter's suspected orchestration of the biggest act of cyber espionage in history.

Cybersecurity

DOD sets up cyber workforce council

The group will include members from the offices of the DOD CIO, Defense undersecretaries for personnel and readiness, policy, and intelligence, and the National Security Agency.

Cybersecurity

Ashley Madison Hack Files: 10,000 Emails Belong to US Officials

Hackers and criminals can use the basic identifying information from the breach of the adultery website to access other systems.

People

Maximizing the effectiveness of customer service

To satisfy citizens' digital expectations, agencies should shift their focus from exceeding expectations to improving the customer service experience.

Digital Government

Chuck Schumer Wants to Set Up No-Drone Zones Around Airports

The New York senator cited a recent uptick in drone sightings near commercial airliners to advocate for quick action.

Emerging Tech

A Space Elevator Has Been Patented to Take Astronauts 12 Miles off the Earth

The famed command “beam me up” could soon become more than just a geeky reference to Star Trek.

Ideas

US Effort to Grab Data from Microsoft in Ireland Should Frighten All Firms Using the Cloud Overseas

A legal battle pitting Microsoft against the Justice Department raises fundamental questions that all CIOs should pay close attention to.

Digital Government

How to Get Ahead of 2016: Ensuring Federal IT Can Adapt to Leadership Transitions

In anticipation of the leadership changes a new administration brings, an adaptive approach will position federal IT to meet changing priorities while capitalizing on technology advancements.

People

Another lawsuit for OPM, Ashley Madison's government customers and more

News and notes from around the federal IT community.

Emerging Tech

Smithsonian Raises $700,000 on Kickstarter to Save Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit

Now that’s some expensive dry cleaning.

Cybersecurity

What’s in the Ashley Madison Database Hackers Released Online?

Despite some initial skepticism about the veracity of the leak, researchers are now starting to agree it is real.

Digital Government

Six Months In, White House Data Scientist Reflects on Progress

Sixth months after his first day in office, White House Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil is assessing the administration's progress.

Acquisition

OPM: CDM will offer baseline security

The continuous diagnostics and mitigation program will give agencies a much-needed standard for reporting vulnerabilities.