People
Biden’s State of the Union highlights semiconductor success and big tech privacy concerns
The president applauded the CHIPS and Science Act and urged lawmakers to crack down on big tech’s data privacy and surveillance practices.
Emerging Tech
GAO: IRS Not Capturing the True Cost of its Legacy IT Footprint
An oversight report requested by Rep. Gerry Connolly found that the tax agency lacks timelines for decommissioning decades-old legacy systems and isn't tracking how much they are paying for upkeep of out-of-date software.
Artificial Intelligence
Bring on the Chatbots: How AI Can Assist Government Customer Service
Cyara's James Isaacs joins the podcast to discuss how technology can help give citizens a better customer experience.
Digital Government
Biden Uses the State of the Union to Demand More Federal Resources and Less Legislative Brinksmanship
The president also calls for a dramatic uptick in federal watchdog spending.
Digital Government
Biden’s State of the Union Highlights Semiconductor Success and Big Tech Privacy Concerns
The president applauded the CHIPS and Science Act and urged lawmakers to crack down on big tech’s data privacy and surveillance practices.
People
Labor Secretary set to leave post for NHL players union, reports say
The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.
Modernization
IRS not capturing the true cost of its legacy IT footprint, watchdog says
An oversight report requested by Rep. Gerry Connolly found that the tax agency lacks timelines for decommissioning decades-old legacy systems and isn't tracking how much they are paying for upkeep of out-of-date software.
Cybersecurity
Russian Hacker Pleads Guilty to Crypto Money Laundering
Denis Mihaqlovic Dubnikov used cryptocurrencies to attempt to hide his involvement in ransomware attacks on foreign and domestic companies.
Modernization
House panel presses FAA to speed up modernization
Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure pressed an FAA official on what it would take for the agency to modernize faster, including its plans to update a system that caused a nationwide ground stop last month.
Digital Government
VA Centers Talent Recruitment and Remote Work in Its Operations Revamp
The agency’s chief people officer described efforts to attract high-skilled workers affected by layoffs across the tech sector and expand telework opportunities to modernize tech-centric operations.
Policy
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Curtail Foreign Adversary Telecom Influence
The legislation would require the FCC to publish a list of entities with FCC authorizations and close ties to foreign adversaries.
Emerging Tech
Federal Reserve Issues New Restrictions on Crypto Banking
The regulator issued new policy largely prohibiting digital assets from the regulated banking environment, primarily due to security concerns.
Ideas
Large Numbers of Americans Want a Strong, Rough, Anti-democratic Leader
A new national survey sheds light on why.
Ideas
Biden’s Plan for Ending the Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 Signals a Pivotal Point in the Pandemic—4 Questions Answered
What will the U.S. government's next steps be for COVID-19?
Acquisition
Software industry group offers FedRAMP wishlist to OMB, GSA
The recently-passed FedRAMP Authorization Act should be a starting point for the government to remake the certification program in a way that lowers the barrier of entry for cloud solutions, the Alliance for Digital Innovation said in a new letter to OMB and GSA.
Digital Government
NSA Bills Itself as a 'Soft Landing Place' for Laid off Tech Workers
The intelligence agency has been quietly moving over the past few months to recruit talented workers affected by the wave of layoffs at tech companies and startups.
Policy
House Dem pushes back on bill to cancel VA's $20B-plus software refresh
Rep. Mark Takano, now ranking member on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, doesn't want to cancel the Electronic Health Records Modernization program without a ready alternative – and VistA doesn't count.
Digital Government
Biden Announces New Appointees for Telecommunications Advisory Committee
The president put forth more than a dozen new appointees.
Cybersecurity
Agencies Seek Public Input on Updates to Guiding Plan for Cyber R&D
The document is updated once every four years.
Digital Government