Ideas

Leading the Intelligence Community After 2020’s Upheavals

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe should consider new approaches to four vital functions that support the IC’s core missions.

Emerging Tech

White House, NSF Invest $75 Million to Launch Three Quantum Innovation Institutes

Each center will focus on innovating a different area of quantum information science and all will aim to help develop a talent pipeline.

Cybersecurity

Two Chinese Nationals Indicted for Stealing Trade Secrets, Coronavirus Research

Federal prosecutors allege the pair hacked into corporations and research institutions on behalf of the Chinese government.

Modernization

Army re-orgs tech directorate

The Army has a new strategic operations directorate under the department's management office, an organization said to be a "precursor" to the upcoming CIO reorganization.

Modernization

IRS Launches New Enterprise Digitalization Office

The co-led office merges and elevates existing projects focused on digitizing processes and getting away from paper-based case management.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers ask DHS leaders to postpone USCIS furloughs

The immigration agency is now set to end FY2020 with surplus, and two Senate appropriators are asking for a pause on furloughs while Congress negotiates supplemental funding to offset 2021 shortfalls.

Modernization

Former TTS Director Lands Job With IT Services Company

Anil Cheriyan left GSA’s tech incubator this month to take a job in the private sector.

Ideas

Cyber Hygiene is the Key to CMMC Compliance Preparedness

The challenge is that many contractors don’t have full visibility into their organization’s network and security.

Acquisition

OMB says fourth quarter spending spree can help boost economy

The director of the Office of Management and Budget reminded agencies to keep category management, acquisition flexibilities and quick vendor payments in mind during the upcoming busy fourth quarter federal buying season.

Cybersecurity

House passes NDAA with TikTok ban

The House of Representatives passed a defense bill for 2021 that authorizes $731.6 billion in defense spending, includes cyber, workforce, acquisition provisions and a ban on the popular social media app Tik Tok on government equipment.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: July 21

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Modernization

Preliminary FITARA Scores Look Good, Lawmaker Says

FITARA scores are not finalized but Rep. Gerry Connolly says no agency will receive a D or an F on upcoming scorecard.

Digital Government

Agencies Could Use Improvement in Contracting Forecast Data

According to an industry group study, most federal agencies aren’t sharing details about  their upcoming acquisitions needs as well as they could.

Artificial Intelligence

Commerce to Ban U.S. Business Involvement with Forced Labor, Detention Camps in China

A new rule will deny most export licenses to 11 companies implicated in human rights violations of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in China.

Cybersecurity

Spy chief sees 2020 election security as 'number one goal'

Gen. Nakasone's remarks come as a group of former senior officials seek funds to counter the "extraordinary challenges" posed by coronavirus pandemic and foreign interference to state and local election administrators.

People

Trump to nominate new OPM head

The candidate to serve as the nation's top human resources official has a background in computer science and software development, and a controversial record as a conservative commentator.

Modernization

DHS pushes toward data center consolidation

The Department of Homeland Security is closing in on a final solicitation for the management of its Mississippi data center, with an eye to supporting cloud and hybrid IT operations.

Ideas

Ransomware Criminals Are Targeting U.S. Universities

The schools are attractive targets because of weak cybersecurity measures and medical research data.