Digital Government

Federal Government to Conclude Fiscal 2020 With Record Spending

Even without data from the month of September, the Treasury Department reports total federal spending exceeded $6 trillion for the first time.

Acquisition

Trump's diversity training purge becomes a debate topic

At the first presidential debate, Donald Trump said that he had ordered trainings on race and gender sensitivity training canceled because the curriculum is "racist". His opponent countered saying, "he's the racist."

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Sept. 30

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

Cybersecurity

Foreign Hackers Cripple Texas County’s Email System, Raising Election Security Concerns

The malware attack, which sent fake email replies to voters and businesses, spotlights an overlooked vulnerability in counties that don’t follow best practices for computer security.

Cybersecurity

Industry Groups Ask Lawmakers to Remove Core Cybersecurity Provisions from NDAA 

The trade associations for various government contractors are also opposing a range of oversight proposals in the annual defense bill, including ones aimed at enhancing procurement value and reducing unfair labor practices.

Digital Government

COVID-19 Exposes Need to Modernize U.S. Public Health Data System, Experts Say 

Federal agencies should develop clear standards for data sharing on cross-cutting issues in order to understand the pandemic better.

Modernization

VA, NARA Complete Digitization Effort to Help Speed Up Disability Claims for Some Veterans

Records that fill 29,000 boxes will now be used to validate service-connected disability benefits claims for veterans exposed to toxins like Agent Orange in waters near Vietnam.

People

New federal CIO, CISO on tap

The White House is planning to name two officials to senior tech posts with a possible change of administration looming.

Digital Government

SBA taps cloud for loan forgiveness platform

The Small Business Administration is using a commercial off the shelf software as a services platform to process applications for its loan forgiveness relief program.

Cybersecurity

DOD releases interim cybersecurity rule

The rule is designed to ensure DOD contractors are adhering to a uniform standard for protecting controlled unclassified information is protected. But while trade groups representing government and defense contractors have lauded the framework but criticized the implementation and rulemaking process.

Digital Government

OPM Updates Job Qualifications Following Hiring Executive Order

The Office of Personnel Management is asking agencies for feedback on a draft list of the qualifications required for federal jobs as part of the implementation of a recent executive order emphasizing applicants’ skills and experience, rather simply education.

Digital Government

Here Are the Major Differences Between Trump and Biden on Tech Issues

President Trump favors reducing government hurdles to usher in technology while rival Joe Biden favors an active government role in partnering with industry, according to a report.

Digital Government

How the Cloud is Helping the Government’s Pandemic Response

Nextgov highlights how the government has maintained service delivery and workforce capabilities in the face of a global pandemic.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Sept. 29

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Ideas

Women Equal Men in Computing Skill, but Are Less Confident

Women in STEM careers remains around 24% even though women make up almost 50% of the overall workforce.

Cybersecurity

Defense Department Certification Body Could Itself Conduct Audits Under Interim Rule

One lawyer notes continued confusion surrounding legal liability in the case of disputed assessments.