Modernization
Spectrum auction yields billions, CFPB signs IT deal, TIGER turns 25 and more
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Modernization
Why Is Apple Gobbling Up a Quarter of the World’s Sapphire Supply?
The sapphire is used to cover the iPhone’s camera lens and fingerprint reader.
Digital Government
The Number of Works Licensed Under Creative Commons Will Surpass 1 Billion by 2015
The number of creations under open 'Creative Commons' licenses has doubled since 2010
Digital Government
Obama's Net-Neutrality Plan Could Mean New Internet Fees
The president wants to treat the Internet like a utility, which could trigger new government tolls.
Cybersecurity
Agencies might need to rethink telework security
A rash of breaches that some fear could be tied to VPN connections is raising concerns about the security of federal telework programs.
People
10 IT skills that matter in 2015
A private-sector survey finds that project managers are in greater demand than big-data pros.
Cybersecurity
Contractor Rejected for Employment Allegedly Infected Power Firm's Network
Energy // Ohio, United States
Cybersecurity
For Army cyber, it's on-the-job training
Army Cyber Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Harris says the Army is learning as it goes along in the uncharted terrain of cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
Immigration order means big lift for CIS, ICE
An information-sharing program is being overhauled, and agencies will have to find funding to deal with a massive influx of applications.
Cybersecurity
Why the grid needs CDM
A Chertoff Group study assesses the state of readiness for U.S. critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity
DSS plans a move out of legacy systems
The Defense Security Service needs an enterprise system to coordinate clearance monitoring, detect possible insider threats and other tasks.
Digital Government
Guess which agency Americans think performs best?
A new Gallup Poll finds respondents happier with the oft-disparaged Postal Service than any other major federal agency.
Cybersecurity
Former Israeli Bank Personnel Hold Employer’s Data for Ransom
Financial Services // Tel Aviv, Israel
Cybersecurity
What a Privacy Activist Turned Top White House Adviser Thinks About Cybersecurity
One-time civil liberties activist now forges compromises between government and industry on network security and surveillance activities.
Digital Government
CIA’s Official Book Reviewer Unimpressed with Tomes on Snowden
The spy agency describes Glenn Greenwald’s recent book as full of “bitter ad hominem rationale.”
Digital Government
Government Tech Recruiting Still Overshadowed by HealthCare.gov Blunder
Democrats are concerned Todd Park’s recent grilling could hurt his efforts to recruit top tech talent.
Digital Government
Lawmaker Says NSA Should End Phone Spying On Its Own
Senate Republicans blocked a bill to restrict domestic surveillance. But Rep. Adam Schiff says the administration should act anyway.
Digital Government
Yes, Your Pacemaker Can Get Hacked
Lapses in cybersecurity leave hospital records and patients' medical devices open to exploitation.
Digital Government
Developers, Want to Earn More Money? Learn Ruby on Rails
Though a language currently in high demand like Ruby might get you the best salary, it might not be the best way to make a career.
Digital Government