Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need
The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.
Ideas
How the U.S. Can Fight the Opioid Epidemic During COVID-19
A majority of states—more than 40—have reported increases in opioid-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Cybersecurity
IRS IG: No taxpayer data exposed by hack
The IRS inspector general's letter to lawmakers backs up a statement offered by a senior Democratic senator earlier this week.
Ideas
Thousands of Ocean Fishing Boats Could Be Using Forced Labor—We Used AI and Satellite Data to Find Them
Forced labor is a known problem in open ocean fishing, but the scale has been very hard to track historically.
Policy
Trump Vetoes Defense Policy Bill Over Base Names, Unrelated Internet Law
The House has already scheduled a vote after Christmas to override the president’s long-threatened rejection of the annual Defense authorization act, which also includes an expansion of federal employee leave benefits.
Cybersecurity
Former Presidential Adviser Advocates Tougher Software Vendor Standards After Breach
The environment where updates for the company’s software were developed was reportedly protected by a password anyone could guess.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: CISA Guidance Warns Affected Systems May Need to Be Rebuilt
Here are the news and updates you may have missed.
People
Trump threatens yet another shutdown
The government is currently funded by a short-term continuing resolution that expires on midnight on Monday, Dec. 28.
Modernization
Veterans Affairs Publishes Employee Experience Journey Map
Agency officials believe positive employee experiences translate to improved service delivery to its veterans.
Digital Government
Trump vetoes 2021 defense bill
The president has vetoed the Defense Department’s yearly authorization bill, which puts Congress in a scramble to repass it before the end of the congressional session.
Ideas
Rethinking Software and Risk to Protect the Public Sector
We should build security into the foundation of programs.
Digital Government
Trump Blasts COVID Relief Package, Demands Revisions Risking a Shutdown
President asks Congress to dramatically increase the size of stimulus checks.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Targets Emerging Smart Technologies to Pilot in 2021
Companies are invited to apply to present relevant products during a solutions meeting next spring.
Digital Government
Nine Major Takeaways From the Omnibus and Coronavirus Relief Packages
Funding boosts and hiring pushes are coming for many federal agencies.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Dec 23
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
Biden Disputes Trump’s Claim that Hack is Under Control
The president-elect called for an official attribution to Russia but said a damage assessment is necessary before discussing the appropriate response.
Ideas
Why It Matters that the Coronavirus Is Changing—and What This Means for Vaccine Effectiveness
The question is therefore not whether the vaccines will be effective, but rather how effective they will be.
Emerging Tech
CBP Should Halt Expansion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Program, Many Commenters Write
Advocacy groups and the City of Portland wrote the Homeland Security Department urging a full stop on expanding the use of facial recognition technologies.
Cybersecurity