Cybersecurity
Justice Notches Major Win with Global Botnet Takedown
Law enforcement also announced their disruption of the commoditized NetWalker ransomware.
Acquisition
Pandemic response drives DOD's sharp uptick in OTA spending
The Defense Pricing and Contracting Agency recorded more than $16 billion in other transaction agreements in 2020 in the Defense Department's response to the pandemic.
People
State Dept. can't justify move to open cyber office, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office says the State Department failed to justify the scope and organizational placement of a new office that was greenlighted in the final days of the Trump administration.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon’s AI Center Steers International Forum to Advance Military Tech Cooperation
An official gave Nextgov a glimpse into what was discussed.
Digital Government
White House Memo Creates Chief Science Officers at Federal Agencies
The presidential memo on scientific integrity calls for new officials and an update to policies established over the last two administrations.
Cybersecurity
Hassan, Cornyn try again with cyber Guard bill
The bill would allow states to use the National Guard for the purpose of bolstering their cybersecurity.
People
Paid family and medical leave for feds in new House bill
House Democrats are looking to extend federal employee benefits with new legislation.
Cybersecurity
DIU Scaling Up Commercial Cyber Threat Deception Platform
The innovation group extended an other transaction agreement with cybersecurity firm CounterCraft with an eye to moving to a production contract in the coming months.
Emerging Tech
Research Center Preps for $35M Supercomputer to Study Earth as a Complex System
Funded by the National Science Foundation, the superfast machine is expected to launch in 2022.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Jan 28
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
People
Can better data improve federal hiring?
Alternative hiring assessments show promise for improving the yield of successful applicants from federal job postings.
Cybersecurity
Final rule, formal training orgs on CMMC could hit this summer
A final rule on the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard could debut as soon as this summer but implementation hinges on standing up a formal training system.
Cybersecurity
Official: Reciprocity Memos on DOD’s Cybersecurity Certification Program Are Ready
Prospective contractors will get credit toward the requirement for approvals by three existing public and private auditing programs.
Modernization
Library of Congress Will Put $15M Grant Toward Minority-Focused Digital Futures Program
The program aims to bring forward minority voices through digital storytelling.
Digital Government
House Dems Push for $9B for Tech Modernization Fund in Next COVID Package
The funding would come from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan.
Modernization
Oversight Dems push $9B TMF boost
President Biden included the massive uptick in the Technology Modernization Fund in his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief and recovery proposal, and key lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee are pushing to include the measure in legislation.
Ideas
Can Robots and Drones Help to Fight COVID-19?
Using drones to help make our living and working spaces a little safer is not too much of a stretch.
Digital Government
IRS Appoints Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer
The IRS announced its first senior leadership position under the Taxpayer First Act.
Emerging Tech