Ideas

Facebook's News Blockade in Australia Shows How Tech Giants Are Swallowing the Web

The internet in 2021 is not the same open public sphere that Tim Berners-Lee envisioned.

Digital Government

IG: ‘Tens of Billions’ in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in 2020

A Labor Department Inspector General memo suggests a massive uptick in fraudulent unemployment claims brought on by COVID-19.

Acquisition

DOL looks to roll back Trump's exemption for religious orgs in contracting

The agency plans going to reverse the rule through notice and comment rulemaking, a process that could take months.

Modernization

VA Wants Help Creating a ‘Strategic Planning Ecosystem’ to Guide IT Modernization Efforts

A contractor will support the development of several strategic plans for the Office of Information Technology.

People

Flat defense budget, cost-savings push seems likely for 2022

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said military services should look for cost-savings and where reinvestments can be made.

Digital Government

Improving the citizen experience one phone call at a time

Knowledge-based authentication for call centers is cumbersome and can increase risk of spoofing, but there are tech-based alternatives.

Digital Government

Cultural Resistance Top Challenge Slowing IT Modernization, Survey Finds

Air Force Chief Information Officer Lauren Knausenberger said she’s changing minds by demonstrating utility to the warfighter.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Feb. 25

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Cybersecurity

Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020

State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.

Emerging Tech

Army Outfits Paratroopers with Wearables to Gauge Stress 

It’s all part of collaborative research leveraging military-centered, biometric data.

Digital Government

Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick

William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”

Modernization

GSA Drops 5 Vendors, Adds 9 to $5.5B 2GIT Contract

The IT hardware and software contract vehicle was built with the Air Force in mind but will be available to all federal buyers.

Ideas

How China’s Digital Silk Road Is Leading Countries Away from the United States

Beijing is using technology products, markets, and training to secure influence with U.S. security partners, a IISS report finds.

Ideas

How to Really Fix COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduling

The traditional vaccine sign-up model does not work when the demand for vaccines far exceeds supply.

Cybersecurity

CIA nominee: Cyber threats are 'ever greater risk' for U.S. society

William Burns, the president's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, said the SolarWinds attack was a "harsh wake-up call" about the country’s vulnerabilities in both critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Digital Government

Billions went to fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020, IG memo reports

Fraudulent unemployment benefit claims since March could end up costing tens of billions of dollars, the memo says.