Artificial Intelligence
How AI Is Revealing the Secrets of Iran’s Nascent Centrifuge Factory
Satellites can’t directly observe the underground facility, but analysis of its surroundings yields a progress report.
Emerging Tech
Navy Awards $85 Million Contract for Software and Cloud Support
SAIC will work on pushing the Joint Expeditionary Command and Control family of systems toward JADC2 integration goals.
People
Biden tells civilian feds to get vaccinated or take regular COVID tests
As expected, the Biden-Harris administration rolled out new COVID-19 guidelines for the federal workforce as part of an overall strategy to increase the U.S. vaccination rate.
Cybersecurity
DHS recent hiring sprint shows promise, but lawmakers still see gaps in the federal cybersecurity workforce
The federal government continues to face challenges in recruiting a skilled cybersecurity workforce, amid heavy private sector demand and obstacles built into the hiring process, but there are some recent signs that longstanding efforts to improve the situation are starting to pay off.
Digital Government
GSA Gives Final Deadline for Transition from DUNS to Unique Entity ID
The agency also confirmed that all current SAM registrants should have already been assigned their new identifier.
Ideas
Federal Push for Omnichannel Experiences to Deliver Modern Public Service
An omnichannel experience is more than plugging texts, email or video communications into a program.
Cybersecurity
Survey: Pandemic Has Left Public Sector IT Exposed
The single largest risk factor reported by respondents is the influx in remote work.
Cybersecurity
The Most Targeted Vulnerability of the Year Was First Identified in 2017
In a joint advisory, international cybersecurity officials say failure to patch years-old vulnerabilities makes attributing cyberattacks more difficult.
Ideas
Health Apps Track Vital Health Stats for Millions of People, but Doctors Aren’t Using the Data – Here’s How It Could Reduce Costs and Patient Outcomes
Mobile health apps and gadgets could help doctors and patients treat chronic illnesses in real time.
Acquisition
Agencies have proposed more than $2B in TMF projects since new funding was approved
Federal CIO Clare Martorana told a House subcommittee that 108 project proposals have been submitted to the Technology Modernization Fund across 43 agencies, with 75% focusing on cybersecurity since the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: July 29, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Ideas
What Is a Breakthrough Infection? 6 Questions Answered about Catching COVID-19
Vaccines don’t ward off every single infection but they do massively lower the risk.
Digital Government
OMB Reinstitutes Mask Mandate in ‘High Transmission’ Regions, Including D.C.
The return of masking requirements at federal facilities comes amid concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Digital Government
Agencies Are Making ‘Uneven’ Progress Meeting Evidence Act Mandates, GAO Says
Many federal managers reported having the necessary staff, skills and tools to collect and analyze performance data, but the results varied widely across government.
Modernization
One A, One D in a Relatively Static FITARA Scorecard
Eighteen of 24 agencies received the same grade as in the previous FITARA scorecard.
Ideas
How ‘Degree Discrimination’ Can Affect Feds’ Pay
As long as the majority of federal positions require degrees, opening up opportunities to pursue higher education will be key to creating a more diverse workforce.
People
A vaccine requirement for feds could get complicated
Unions and other employee groups are taking a look at what a vaccination requirement might mean for their members.
Ideas
Military Robots Dig into New Underground Environments
Only a few organic creatures specifically designed for that environment are able to do it well.
Cybersecurity