People
Interior IG: USGS director retaliated against whistleblower
A watchdog report alleges that an "impermissible, retaliatory motive" was behind the reassignment of a whistleblower at the U.S. Geological Survey.
Emerging Tech
4 Startups Tapped to Pilot Capabilities at Defense’s 5G Living Lab
At some U.S. military bases, next generation connectivity is right around the corner.
Cybersecurity
HHS, FBI, CISA Warn Hospitals of ‘Imminent’ Ransomware Attacks
The agencies warn paying criminals won’t guarantee recovery of crucial data.
People
House Dems press OPM to block Trump's civil service overhaul
More than 30 House Democrats are calling for an immediate halt to the implementation of President Trump recent executive order to reclassify elements of the civil service as at-will employees.
Digital Government
White House mulls CXO role at agencies
The White House is considering whether to formalize the customer experience officer role, but also thinking about the position's impact on IT.
Digital Government
DOD’s New Data Strategy Puts Decision-Makers in the Center, CDO Says
Dave Spirk, the Defense Department’s chief data officer, said the new strategy is a break from the past data landscape, which focused on networks and transports for moving data.
Digital Government
House Democrats Urge OPM to Halt Implementation of Order Politicizing Civil Service
House Oversight and Reform Committee leaders want to investigate the development and analysis of the effort to strip wide swaths of the federal workforce of civil service protections.
Modernization
GSA Preparing Switch to eSignature for Multiple Award Schedule Offers and Modifications
Contract holders will also see new security measures being implemented in the near future for eOffer and eMod.
Ideas
To Achieve Cyber Agility, Think Long-Term
Agencies must instead invest in cyber platforms to become more agile and responsive to adversaries.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Oct. 29
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Ideas
If a Robot Is Conscious, Is It OK to Turn It Off? The Moral Implications of Building True AIs.
As real artificial intelligence technology advances toward Hollywood’s imagined versions, the question of moral standing grows more important.
Cybersecurity
DOD Official Confident in Cybersecurity Certification Body’s Business Model
The volunteer group taking on the Pentagon’s new system of contractor audits has taken out lines of credit, the official said.
Digital Government
Administration Adds 16 Months to Transition from DUNS to Unique ID
The General Services Administration will extend Dun & Bradstreet’s services while agencies get more time to patch and test systems.
Modernization
Alliant2 replacement will have CMMC requirements
Polaris, the General Services Administration's developing Alliant 2 small business contract replacement, will have CMMC clauses.
Emerging Tech
Naval Hospitals Deploy Germ-Killing Robots Amid Pandemic
The tools are intended to provide an extra level of disinfection against COVID-19.
Modernization
DOD could get permanent telework capability in 2021
The Defense Department wants to convert its key telework tool, the Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) environment, to a permanent capability by next summer.
Modernization
Pentagon Expects to Deploy New Telework Tool in June 2021
The Defense Department’s Commercial Virtual Remote Environment enabled the rapid shift to mass telework during the pandemic, but a solution to handle more sensitive data is on the way.
Ideas
Old Dog Training Methods Teach Robots New Tricks
Roboticists are still figuring out how robots can learn efficiently from their mistakes.
Digital Government