Digital Government

FCW Insider: Sept. 10

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

Digital Government

GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions

The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”

Cybersecurity

Cyber Commission Suggests Reforms to Allow Flexible Pay, Hiring to Boost Workforce

Prospective federal employees might be turned off by cybersecurity jobs being classified as IT.

People

Don't expect finished defense bill soon, Thornberry says

Rep. Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services Committee's ranking member, said the November elections could hold up negotiations over key provisions in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

Modernization

Cyber, but in space

A White House memo proposes that space-based technology must have cybersecurity built in at the design stage while also allowing flexibility for operators to adapt on the fly.

Digital Government

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Hints Section 889 Supply Chain Waiver May Be Extended

The Defense Department’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord spoke briefly about Section 889 Part B implementation Wednesday.

Modernization

Kessel Run works through growing pains

The Air Force's deputy CIO, Lauren Knausenberger, said the military branch's popular software factory has been a "victim of its own success" as it navigates trying to keep the spark as it gets bigger.

Ideas

Diving into Government’s Trusted Internet Connections Standard 3.0 

The policy lays out the framework for security, but allows agencies to fill in the details based on their unique missions.

Acquisition

DOD refreshes acquisition policies

The Defense Department released a long-awaited update of policies governing its buying practices, with an eye to rapid technology acquisition.

Emerging Tech

IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies

The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Sept. 9

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Cybersecurity

COVID Could Spur Reduced Reliance on Classified Sources of Cyber Intelligence

CISA officials highlighted cloud configuration and VPN vulnerabilities in assessing threats associated with the pandemic.

Digital Government

Veterans’ Experiences With VA’s Health Care System Improve

The Veterans Affairs Department offered better experiences than community-based care except when it comes to access to care, according to a recent study.

People

Senators push to make payroll tax deferral optional for feds, service members

Lawmakers are concerned about potential consequences of a mandatory tax deferral being rolled out by the Trump administration.

Modernization

GAO rounds up mission-critical IT projects

An overview of 16 key IT projects finds some common risks and pitfalls.

Digital Government

Report Outlines How U.S. Could Counter Un-Democratic Uses of Surveillance Technology

The federal government should take steps to imbue surveillance technologies with individual freedoms protections citizens of democracies expect, the authors say.

Modernization

CMMC reciprocity guidelines are still a work in progress

The Defense Department is hoping to begin rolling its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program later this year, but questions remain about how reciprocity with FedRAMP will be handled.

Ideas

How to Head Off Public Assistance Fraud Before Dollars Go Out the Door

Opting to chase and recover money fraudsters steal from government agencies is not a sustainable strategy.