People

Why simple language is a complex challenge

Even with a law to inspire it, getting agencies to write in plain language is tough, says Annetta Cheek of the Center for Plain Language.

Digital Government

DHS taps big data to ferret out phony schools peddling student visas

Bogus institutions sell immigration papers under the guise of collecting tuition and fees.

Modernization

Who wants a cell plan with unlimited texting? VA does.

Agency’s national mobile contract likely would be worth millions a month.

Digital Government

Report: Russia stopped Syria from gassing rebels

Bashar al-Assad's regime came close to using chemical weapons two weeks ago.

Digital Government

FDA seeks data mining tool to track adverse drug reactions

Agencies are increasingly turning to data mining for research.

Digital Government

The wrong lesson for bosses to learn from Steve Jobs

Studies show that mean leaders cause organizations to lose money

Modernization

Networx: A look at its origins

The government has undertaken three major telecom transitions, columnist Bob Woods writes, and there are important lessons to be learned from each of them.

Digital Government

Obama opposes bill to halt regulatory changes

The Obama administration stands opposed to a bill that would freeze changes to regulations until the national unemployment rate improves, but House Republicans are pressing on.

Cybersecurity

Analysis: While Congress dithers, cyber threats grow greater

Two experts offer three essential elements of effective cybersecurity legislation.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers to consider new compromise cybersecurity bill before defense budget

A new version of the bipartisan Cybersecurity Act of 2012 is expected to be considered ahead of the Senate defense authorization bill, drawing the ire of one powerful senator.

People

GSA spends $270k for music, food and picture frames at awards ceremony

GSA's event spending has once again put the agency in Congressional crosshairs -- this time over a $270,000 award ceremony, complete with a violinist and 4,000 elaborate picture frames. This time, however, the agency's leadership may be ahead of the lawmakers.

Digital Government

Drone kills at least 10 suspected militants near Afghan border, officials say

Pakistan’s spymaster is due to visit the United States next week.

Digital Government

Satisfaction with government websites inches up to a record high

Americans rate federal agencies better with online dealings than in person.

Modernization

Coming soon to a phone near you: A software bug-scanning app

X-Ray alerts owners to security vulnerabilities.

Digital Government

Mobility push intensifies for e-government

The federal government gets good ratings from citizens for its e-government, but there has been little improvement in the past three years. Is mobility the key to pushing scores higher?

Digital Government

To model the simplest microbe in the world, you need 128 computers

What a pathbreaking computer simulation tells us about the future of biotechnology.

Cybersecurity

It's time to start stoking fears of cyberwar

Tensions mount as a bill sponsored by Sen. Lieberman could come to a vote Wednesday

Cybersecurity

US faces new uphill battle in cyberspace

Emerging threats from developing nations will pose new dangers to the nation, according to a cyber official.