People
GAO's call to action in IT management
The government plans to spend $74 billion on IT this year, and needs to tighten its control over programs to prevent cost overruns and missed deadlines.
Digital Government
FBI and DHS team up to nab border intruders with iris recognition
Feds to build upon controversial immigrant fingerprinting program with eye pattern matching.
People
TechAmerica gains former Hill staffer
Scott Bousum, who previously supported the House Armed Services Committee, has joined the technology trade association’s global public sector team.
Digital Government
North Korea's plan to target the U.S. in a nuclear test
North Korea's National Defense Commission threatened a "full-fledged confrontation" with the U.S.
Emerging Tech
Lithium ion battery short circuited in first 787 Dreamliner fire
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating problems with the grounded Boeing fleet.
Digital Government
Military could redefine global-strike weapons
Result could be to expand the kinds of conventional arms available to hit targets on short notice virtually anywhere around the world.
Digital Government
Can feds look to private sector for innovation inspiration?
Think-tank panel explores the problems and potential of bringing industry models to government.
Digital Government
Napolitano suggests DHS will never meet cargo scanning mandate
Last spring, Homeland Security chief told lawmakers it would cost $16 billion to deploy screening technology at all the international seaports that send cargo to the United States.
Digital Government
Microsoft Office deal opens to most at Defense
Employees can buy the software suite for their home computers for $9.95.
Modernization
Data center savings hard to track
While the effort to consolidate data centers is proceeding with some success, significant challenges are impeding progress.
People
Transportation's acquisition workforce at risk
Poor documentation on attrition and other management lapses strain resources in the Transportation Department's component agencies, audit finds.
Emerging Tech
These government apps are on the drawing board
New mobile tools are under consideration at the National Archives and elsewhere.
Modernization
Would you rather check the weather in space or sort data?
Either way, NASA has an app for you.
Modernization
NASA’s space weather app has great images but lags on engagement
The agency could do more to publicize major space events and appeal to kids, our reviewers say.
Modernization
NASA’s Satellite Insight gaming app isn’t educational or fun
The game doesn’t teach users much and it can’t compete with Bejeweled and Tetris.
Emerging Tech
Homeland Security looks to fast-track technology development
Officials ask inventors whether ‘rapid prototyping’ over a two-year schedule could work for border security and other innovations.
Modernization
DHS's Margie Graves puts agile first
A software-development technique that forgoes the rigors of conventional processes in favor of nimbleness is gaining increased popularity in government.
Acquisition
Are procurement contests entering the IT mainstream?
Steve Kelman is hopeful that the VA's unusual choice to host a competition for an IT system will break new ground.
Modernization