Modernization

Microsoft’s Transition to the Cloud Will Be a Drawn-Out Slog

The company is shifting toward a model of selling software as subscription-based services, and away from its “old” business of selling one-time software licenses.

Digital Government

Your Appliances May Be Spying on You

FTC issues privacy and security guidelines to the companies creating the Internet of Things.

Cybersecurity

Fed data at risk in attacks on university computers

DHS is warning that a college's information-filled IT infrastructure can provide access to sensitive federal networks.

Digital Government

USAID plans to up its data game

The U.S. Agency for International Development is seeking outside help building capacity in data analysis and visualization.

People

Satisfaction with fed customer service worst ever

The American Customer Satisfaction Index blames the decline on budget and staff cuts.

Digital Government

VA’s System for Managing IT Projects Comes Under Scrutiny

A new inspector general report finds the system needs some monitoring of its own.

Cybersecurity

TSA and Inspectors Tussle Over Redactions in JFK Tech Audit

A Jan. 23 review found numerous cyber gaps, most having to do with hazardous climates in computer rooms and missing fire protection systems.

Digital Government

SpaceX Founder Drops Lawsuit Against Air Force, Will Compete for Future Satellite Contracts

The US government is the world’s largest spender on space access, so its contracts remain a key point of competition for space companies already battling for private satellite business.

Cybersecurity

NGA to merge CIO and IT services

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency reorganization is an effort to bolster IC ITE, an ambitious IC-wide IT architecture.

People

Contracts OK'd, drone crashes, leave bill introduced

News and notes from around the federal IT community.

Digital Government

DOT Embraces Automatic Braking and Other Safety Gizmos

Transportation Secretary Foxx says the agency is looking for ways to mitigate human error.

Digital Government

Drone Crashes on White House Lawn

A small unmanned aircraft unexpectedly landed on the southeast side of the executive mansion Monday morning.

Cybersecurity

DHS IT compliance head moves to USDA

Richard Young is the new CIO at the Foreign Agricultural Service.

Cybersecurity

IG blasts secrecy on JFK IT security lapses

The DHS inspector general says TSA is unduly classifying embarrassing IT practices at the New York airport.

Cybersecurity

Mixed messages for VA IT

A report from Mandiant offers an upbeat assessment, but an IG report is critical of IT project management.

Cybersecurity

CIS gearing up for deferred action

Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to hire secure IT personnel ahead of an expected tsunami of new application forms.

Cybersecurity

What Do CENTCOM’s Twitter Hack and GoDaddy Have in Common?

Two Tennessee Valley Authority sites were compromised in 2013, when an adversary broke in through a software flaw.

Cybersecurity

Hackers Defile Crayola, Borrow F-35 Designs and Tick off Madonna

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.