Ideas

The Art of (Big Tech) War

The uncomfortable truth is the government is the underdog in this fight.

People

OPM cautions feds on marijuana use

Past marijuana use is not disqualifying for applicants to federal jobs, but ongoing use in jurisdictions where pot has been legalized or decriminalized is still off limits, OPM states.

Cybersecurity

Space Firms Put Aside Rivalries to Share Threat Data

A new clearinghouse has begun gathering and distributing information about threats to space networks, products, and services.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Feb. 26

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

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

None

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.”