People
A NASA nominee, NWS data and more robot boats
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Modernization
FCC Wants to Upgrade Your Phone to 5G
The agency is looking into the next generation of wireless technology, which could make phones a thousand times faster.
Digital Government
Facebook Scolds Federal Authorities Over Fake Account
The social network accused DEA of threatening "the integrity of our community" by pretending to be a New York woman on the site.
Modernization
Feds urge early cooperation in malware investigations
Cyber resiliency in financial services comes from public-private coordination and aggressive prosecution.
Cybersecurity
POODLE's bark may be worse than its bite
DHS considers the Padding Oracle On Downgraded Legacy Encryption a middling threat to users.
Modernization
Understanding State's big database crash: Q&A with Greg Ambrose
FCW's exclusive interview with Greg Ambrose, the State Department’s director of consular systems and technology, who talked about how his office is trying to prevent a repeat of this summer's visa and passport database malfunction.
People
Bhagowalia assumes CIO post at Treasury
The former Interior Department CIO and three-time Federal 100 winner replaces Robyn East.
Cybersecurity
Corrupted Ads Hijack Viewers of Popular YouTube Music Video
"Ransomware" hosted on a hacked Polish site then tries to hold the user’s computer hostage.
Emerging Tech
Getting Health Info to Low-Income Cellphone Users
The digital divide is shrinking; useful apps aren’t keeping pace.
Cybersecurity
Hackers ‘Sandworm’ NATO, Incite Pakistan-India Cyber-rattling and Save Nude Snapchats
Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.
Digital Government
Is Big Data the Solution to VA’s Health Care Woes?
The key to more proactive patient care is lots and lots of data.
Digital Government
What ‘America’s Data Agency’ Should Be Doing With Its Data
Lessons from an open data roundtable at the Commerce Department.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Skeptical of FBI’s Push for Encryption Back Doors
The bureau’s director is arguing that legislation is needed to catch criminals who are using new technologies, but some in Congress disagree.
Modernization
Three Reasons Apple’s New Encryption Technology is a Good Idea (Even if the FBI Hates It)
The benefits of secure encryption far outweigh the costs of devices that "go dark" even when authorities have a lawful warrant.
Modernization
How a Simple Note-Taking App Became the New Anti-Censorship Tool in China
Mainland internet users have been able to freely share commentary and stories about the protests on the app.
Cybersecurity