Modernization

Remote Work and Hack Mitigation Show Need for IT Modernization Funding, Lawmaker Says

Rep. Ro Khanna detailed efforts to ensure agencies have resources for legally mandated updates.

Cybersecurity

FBI Director Says Extremists Flocking to Encrypted Apps Poses New Challenges

Christopher Wray told lawmakers tech companies are the ones making policies about encryption.

Digital Government

Air Force Academy IT in dire need of upgrades, superintendent says

Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Air Force Academy’s superintendent, told Congress the academy’s accreditation was threatened by legacy IT.

Digital Government

Cybersecurity and IT Remain Top Concerns on GAO’s High-Risk List

Agencies showed some slight progress on IT issues, though cybersecurity took a step backward in the latest report.

People

OMB deputy nominee appears to have an easy confirmation ahead

While Neera Tanden's nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget is in peril, it looks like Shalanda Young will have an smooth path to confirmation as the agency's number two official.

Emerging Tech

Defense Innovation Unit Initiated 35% More Projects in 2020

The group initiated 23 new projects and transitioned 11 capabilities to Defense Department partners last year, according to its annual report. 

Emerging Tech

Police Departments Experiment With 70-Pound Robot Dog

Departments have deployed the cyber K-9s in hostage situations and as part of the covid response. Proponents say the robots can help keep officers out of harm's way, while critics worry how they could be used without clear policy guidelines in place.

Ideas

Huge Number of COVID Infections Are from People with No Symptoms

Researchers also found that non-symptomatic cases substantially contribute to community transmission.

Modernization

Defense Innovation Unit marks 5 years of experimentation, growth

The Defense Innovation Unit issued 56 prototype other transaction agreements in 2020, according to a recent report, bringing the total number of OTAs issued to 208 since its inception in 2015.

People

We underestimate the value of complimenting others

Steve Kelman shares new research that suggests managers are too stingy with their praise.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: March 2

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Artificial Intelligence

U.S. Unprepared for AI Competition with China, Commission Finds

Retaining any edge will take White House leadership and a substantial investment, according to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Cybersecurity

NSA Pushes Zero Trust Principles to Help Prevent Sophisticated Hacks

Operating under the default position that an organization has been compromised is a pain that’s worth it, the agency said.

Modernization

Draft Senate COVID Relief Bill Includes $1B for Technology Modernization Fund

The fund gets a second chance at a boost after a $9 billion proposal didn’t make it to the House-passed bill.

Modernization

CBP Attempts to Mitigate Privacy Risks Created by New Customs App

CBP One will become the primary public-facing portal for a number of customs programs and services. But any new data collection effort brings privacy risks.

Digital Government

Cloud Security

Federal agencies are rethinking how they secure information as they move more mission-critical operations to the cloud.

People

Biden team pledges help for 'damaged' federal workforce

Pam Coleman, the director for performance management at the Office of Management and Budget, said that, "each week we seem to uncover more damage" done to the federal workforce under the Trump administration.

Ideas

Securing Space: The Next Frontier of Credential-Based Attacks

Like many other sectors, the space industry needs to secure its supply chain from start to finish.

Cybersecurity

When water utilities get hacked, who should they call?

In the wake of a cybersecurity breach at a public water system, lawmakers have begun questioning what rules are in place to govern those facilities' cybersecurity and what changes may be necessary.