Modernization

What CIOs really think

Here are seven insights into the state of federal IT from the 25th annual CIO survey.

Acquisition

AT&L official: Data restrictions in defense bill impede management

The already testy public debate between Pentagon officials and Sen. John McCain over an acquisition provision in the defense authorization bill is getting even testier.

People

NASA's top watchdog talks IT

NASA Inspector General Paul Martin says the agency has made strides, but is still far from perfect when it comes to IT governance and cybersecurity.

People

Federal program management needs help

Policy has been aimed at addressing specific problems rather than a holistic approach, says a new report from the National Academy of Public Administration.

Emerging Tech

Neuroscience Computing Boot Camp Aims to Ignite Interest for Brain Research

Representatives argued in favor of a National Brain Observatory, dedicated to neuroscience.

People

What smart succession planning requires

Leadership changes don’t have to be painful. Here are some tips for easing the transitions.

Digital Government

Why It Still Sucks to Be a CIO in Government and What a New Law Can Do About It

While CIOs claim the “chief” title, in many cases their hands have been tied by sprawling bureaucratic structures and a lack of institutional heft.

Cybersecurity

A 'Powerful' Cyber Tool Created by Government Now On the Market

After three years in development, the Network Mapping System has moved into the commercial market.

Emerging Tech

How Government Space Geeks at NASA Won the Internet

How NASA stumbled upon perhaps the greatest social-media strategy of our time.

Digital Government

How a Fed with Fake Diplomas Worked at the Interior Department for 5 Years

The technology officer eventually resigned from the Interior Department—and then he worked at the Census Bureau.

Cybersecurity

White House plugs plan to boost immigration IT

The U.S. Digital Service wants to bring a more intuitive process and consistent look and feel to online immigration applications.

Cybersecurity

DOD looks to new analytics center to tackle insider threat

The Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center is meant to be predictive rather than reactive, with the help of advances in big data.

People

Making the most of agency email scandals

Chief Records Officer Paul Wester would prefer that records management was done right, of course, but the political kerfuffles do offer a teachable moment.

Acquisition

GSA rolls out commodity IT service

The idea behind Advantage Select is for the agency to do the upfront work and award short-term BPAs that leverage existing contractor inventories.

Modernization

Do Encrypted Phones Threaten National Security?

A legislator compares manufacturing devices with strong, end-to-end encryption to dumping toxic waste in a stream.