Modernization

Everybody talks about the weather …

The National Weather Service wants to do something about it, and has enlisted social scientists and data experts to devise social media and visualization strategies.

Acquisition

We're paying contractors how much?

GSA's 18F has a new tool aimed at saving money on a huge part of any contract's expense: people.

Emerging Tech

DARPA Wants Technology That Could Help Troops See Through Walls

Light particles used to create photographs carry lots of information about their surroundings, but traditional imaging systems only gather a fraction of it, according to DARPA.

Cybersecurity

USMC colonel calls for shakeup of cyber structure

Marine Col. Gregory Breazile, director of the Corps' C2/Cyber and Electronic Warfare Integration Division, says HQ "is not functionally aligned to support cyberspace operations."

Cybersecurity

EDDIE, ICE and apps

A mobile biometrics app used by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement took home the top prize at the ACT-IAC Mobile Application Fair.

Cybersecurity

Other Agencies Use Same Log-on Procedures as Exploited IRS Site

The IRS hack is raising questions about once tried-and-true identity-protection measures.

Modernization

FCC Wants to Make It Easier to Block Annoying Robocalls

The commission plans to tighten its rules on telemarketing.

Emerging Tech

Unbreakable: A Robot That Can't Be Stopped

New research shows that artificial intelligence can use trial and error to finish a job even when a robot's body is damaged.

Cybersecurity

Data breach costs, open data growth, SpaceX certified and more

News and notes from around the federal IT community.

Modernization

What to Expect at Google's I/O Conference

Google takes on the Internet of Things.

Digital Government

SpaceX Has Broken the Monopoly on US National Security Launches

The move is another milestone in the development of SpaceX from start up to a legitimate aerospace company.

Digital Government

Inbox Zero vs. Inbox 5,000: A Unified Theory

There are two types of people in the world: those with hundreds of unread messages, and those who can’t relax until their inboxes are cleared out.

Digital Government

The Future of the Patriot Act Depends on the Votes of These 10 Senators

If the USA Freedom Act comes to another vote, these are the senators to watch.

People

When the agency CIO heads to Silicon Valley

Never mind the dress codes. The real divide between East and West is over how to build and for whom.

Cybersecurity

Americans Are, by Far, Hackers’ Favorite Credit-Card Fraud Targets

Nearly half of all the credit card fraud around the world occurs in the U.S., even though America accounts for only about a quarter of the global card volume.

Digital Government

New email records policy takes shape

A presidential directive requires agencies to manage email records in electronic form by the end of 2016, and the National Archives' plan to hit the goal is almost in final form.

Digital Government

Commerce Department Recruits Former Google Exec

Alan Davidson is expected to help lead Commerce’s work on issues related to the digital economy and Internet policy

Cybersecurity

DHS Seeks Input on Public-Private Cyber Sharing Groups

Information Sharing Analysis Organizations are to be formed based on sector, sub-sector or region, and overseen by a standards board.

Acquisition

IT lobby optimistic about defense bill

Some acquisition provisions in the defense authorization measure have pleased the IT Industry Council’s public sector arm.

Cybersecurity

IRS breach highlights weakness of ‘knowledge-based’ security

By answering personal questions, hackers were able to access information for 100,000 taxpayers, revealing how vulnerable the IRS authentication system really is.