Digital Government

FCW Insider: July 31

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Modernization

Expanded Telework Could Save Individual Feds $2.5K-$4K Annually

Lessons from the pandemic have big implications for federal offices and employees, lawmakers and experts say.

People

Senate bill seeks oversight of telework, PPE for the federal workforce

A group of Senate Democrats is proposing legislation to create labor-management task forces inside government to review pandemic-related workforce policies.

Modernization

Pentagon Aims to Support More Sensitive Telework By Year's End

The Defense Department is also in “an active conversation” about sustaining telework post-pandemic, according to Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy.

Modernization

DOD 'on schedule' for August JEDI announcement

The Defense Department's CIO Dana Deasy said a re-announcement of the embattled cloud contract should come by the end of August.

Digital Government

NIH Needs ‘Honest Broker’ To Manage New COVID-19 Data Warehouse

The health agency is looking for a vendor to act as a “neutral intermediary” to spur research without compromising patient privacy.

People

Hackers target teleworking feds

A senior General Services Administration acquisition official says emerging technology can help protect infrastructure and individual users defend against attacks.

Digital Government

Congress Hammers Big Tech on Business Practices

House lawmakers grilled the tech chiefs of four of America’s largest companies, continuing its investigation into possible antitrust violations.

Modernization

GSA rolls out IT acquisition learning portal

The GSA's new IT acquisition portal offers a range of training on how to use and buy new technologies.

Artificial Intelligence

Photo Tweaks Could Protect Your Privacy from Algorithms

End users can use this technology to help mask vital attributes on their photos before posting them online.

Modernization

IT modernization for the COVID era

Crises are clarifying events, and the pandemic is making clear the limits of IT systems built for a different era.

Cybersecurity

CMMC Official Backs Light-touch Option for Continuous Monitoring of Defense Contractors’ Cybersecurity

The Pentagon’s certification program is looking for a way to keep tabs on companies during the three-year intervals between independent audits.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: July 30

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Cybersecurity

Was the Pentagon’s Blacklist of Chinese Companies Justified?

An independent study of the list found China uses its favored companies to wipe out competition and spread economic influence.

Digital Government

GAO: More Than Half of COVID-19 Government Contracts Not Competitively Awarded

While some of that spending went through existing IDIQs, some $7.7 billion in new contracts were awarded “using the unusual and compelling urgency exception.”

Modernization

Could a new academy solve the AI talent problem?

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence is recommending a new academy to train feds to take on federal agency jobs involving emerging technologies including AI.

Modernization

Senate Dems join push for $1B TMF boost

A group of Democratic senators are asking top appropriators to include a sixfold increase to an IT modernization revolving fund in the next round of pandemic relief and stimulus legislation.