People

D.C. extends COVID vaccines to essential feds but worries continue for far-flung federal workforce

Some agencies have been vaccinating their employees directly, but others haven't. The National Treasury Employee Union wants IRS to secure vaccine allotments for in-person workers nationwide.

Digital Government

IC: Foreign actors tried to affect U.S. election via influence campaigns, but not by hacking

The intelligence community's newly declassified report largely concludes Russia attempted to meddle in the U.S. election through influence operations but did not attempt the kinds of cyberattacks observed in 2016.

Cybersecurity

What cyber risks will Biden's supply chain EO uncover?

The administration has ordered a wide-ranging assessment of the risks to manufacturing and technology supply chains. Analysts, former government officials and industry say a large workforce gap and problematic frameworks are among the threats cybersecurity poses to the country's supply chains.

Digital Government

Pentagon Wants a Commercial Electronic Health Record System for Animal Servicemembers

The Defense Health Agency is looking for a cloud-based veterinary EHR to replace its government-built system.

Digital Government

President Biden: COVID Relief Needs ‘Fastidious Oversight’

The American Rescue Plan is the latest in the federal government’s historic pandemic spending. 

Cybersecurity

CMMC board preps for staff changes

The body in charge of standing up and running the Defense Department’s unified cybersecurity standard is shifting its staffing arrangement.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: March 16, 2021

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Ideas

Billions of Cicadas May Be Coming Soon to Trees Near You

The key feature of Magicicada biology is that these insects emerge in huge numbers.

Cybersecurity

NSA, CISA Promote Domain Name System Incorporating Threat Information

The agencies’ guide on selecting a provider of protective DNS services is based on a pilot with the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Call for Agency-Led Working Group for Digital Assets

They want the U.S. government to gain a better grasp of the rapidly emerging landscape of virtual currencies, smart contracts and other commodities.

Modernization

TMF Board Announces New Award One Day After $1B Cash Infusion

The Labor Department snagged $9.6 million to improve its data management infrastructure.

Emerging Tech

Advocacy Groups Again Ask CBP to Withdraw Biometrics Expansion Proposal

Customs and Border Protection accepted a second round of comments after the change in administrations. 

Digital Government

TMF to fund Labor Dept. data project

The Technology Modernization Fund doled out its first project of 2021 the day after getting $1 billion in the Biden administration's Rescue Plan legislation.

Modernization

Pentagon needs AI at every leadership level, panel recommends

Robert Work, vice chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, called for DOD to implement a "top-down leadership" approach "to push integration of AI throughout the force."

Cybersecurity

White House tees up cyber labeling policy

A 2020 law could provide some legal cover for executive orders regulating software and IoT cybersecurity, but new legislation could be required.