Artificial Intelligence

Bill Would Block Contractors from Selling Data Harvested with AI Tools to Third Parties

A bipartisan proposal would also clarify that the government ultimately owns the data collected by federal contractors and their artificial intelligence systems. 

Cybersecurity

Russian Corruption Makes It Harder to Crack Down on Ransomware

Hackers who learned skills in government service are branching out “for their own personal enrichment,” Pentagon cyber leader says.

Modernization

Lawmakers seek probe of veterans' records requests backlog

The National Personnel Records Center is facing a backlog of 550,000 requests that built up over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cybersecurity

5 Ways to Keep Vaccine 'Cold Chain' Safe from Hackers

Health systems can prevent outsiders from tampering with the equipment that keeps vaccines ultra cold.

Emerging Tech

GAO Study Stresses Need for Steady Funding of Quantum Tech

A report highlights the risks and benefits of federal investment in quantum computing and other technologies, but stresses collaboration and steady funding. 

Acquisition

VA seeks full 2022 funding for health record project, despite six-month pause

House appropriators are concerned that the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking to fully fund its program to switch from its homegrown Vista system to Cerner's commercial electronic health record in 2022, despite having unspent funds from fiscal year 2021.

Modernization

Why the Navy Is Pivoting to Implement Enterprisewide IT Services

An official provided details about the military branch’s plan to completely reshape its technology approach.

Cybersecurity

New missions could present challenges for the DOD cyber workforce

Mieke Eoyang, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy said one of DOD's main cyber workforce challenges is being able to set expectations around policymakers' calls to step in and defend against cyberattacks.

Ideas

How Government Is Failing Public Servants

A new book argues that federal and state governments need to articulate a vision for training their workers for problem solving in the 21st century.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

FCW Insider: October 21, 2021

The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.

Cybersecurity

Justice Official Dangles Liability Protections to Encourage Private-Sector Breach Reports

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco also promised to compensate whistleblowers who reveal federal contractors misrepresenting their cybersecurity posture.

Emerging Tech

State Department Wants to Disrupt Colombian Coca Harvest with Drones

Training for a team from the South American nation's police force is also needed.

People

FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes

The agency has been without a general counsel for years, leaving it unable to resolve charges of unfair labor practices, but the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership.

Digital Government

GSA Wants a Real Person Associated With Every SAM Registration Before Fiscal Year’s End

Every organization doing business with the government will have to name a real person as account administrator and go through a three-point ID proofing process.

Modernization

Multibillion-Dollar DHS Cloud Contract Protested

Another major government cloud contract is under protest from a losing bidder.

Digital Government

A 60-year-old IRS IT system won't finish modernizing until 2030

The Internal Revenue Service's plan to modernize its key source for individual tax data has seen multiple cost and schedule changes since it started in 2009.

People

White House looks to boost federal employee union participation

The Office of Personnel Management is directed agencies to more regularly give new and longtime feds more information about their union eligibility and guidance about how to join.