Acquisition

DHS seeks permanent flexible acquisition authorities

Temporary acquisition authorities that aid the Department of Homeland Security in getting innovative commercial technologies and goods in response to the COVID-19 crisis should be lasting tools in the department's acquisition toolbox, the agency's top acquisition official told a Senate panel.

Ideas

Racing the Clock on Election Security

There are less than 100 days left until the presidential election.

Cybersecurity

Researchers disclose widespread bootloader vulnerability

New research from Eclypsium details a simple buffer overflow bug that could impact billions of devices using Linux and Windows operating systems.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: July 29

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

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Modernization

CBP Gets $15M from Modernization Fund to Ditch Its Last Mainframe

The Customs and Border Protection Agency plans to upgrade a system that tracks imported goods and still relies on COBOL. 

People

Senior execs group pushes OPM re-org

As part of a plan to revitalize federal employment, the Senior Executives Association is looking to take the government's top human resources official out of the political fray with a 5- to 8-year appointment.

Digital Government

The State of Customer Experience

Federal agencies had been working to improve service delivery—then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

Digital Government

NIH Commits $58 Million to Advance Data Science in Africa

The ultimate hope is to help advance quantitative and qualitative research and health on the continent.

Digital Government

4 Million Americans Waited Over an Hour in Line at Social Security Field Offices in 2019

Two separate Social Security Administration inspector general audits provide a detailed picture of customer experience over the past decade at the agency.

Cybersecurity

Navy shifts to zero trust mindset to deal with COVID-related telework

Yesterday's buzzword has become today's security imperative, according to the department's CISO.

Modernization

CBP lands TMF award to modernize legacy system

Customs and Border Protection won a $15M award to update a COBOL-based fee collection system and move it to the cloud.

Digital Government

HUD IG Warns Agencies to Watch Out for Bidding Fraud

Procurement officials should be on alert for anticompetitive bidding scheme and possible collusion, the agency’s inspector general says.

Ideas

A Test and Trace Strategy for Reconnecting to Government Networks

Agencies shifted to large-scale work from home operations but little thought has been given to how to secure these networks when workers return to the office. 

Digital Government

COVID: We need to talk about social responsibility

Individualism is a big part of American culture, Steve Kelman notes. But it's not the only part, and leaders must encourage others.

Podcasts

Critical Update: Reinventing the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Technology is important but keeping and developing talent will be crucial, NGA Director Vice Adm. Robert Sharp says.

Ideas

The Mindsets of Innovators in Government

A series of Interviews with high achievers reveals some surprising things about what it takes to get things done in the bureaucracy.

People

Does the White House need a new risk management chief?

Recommendations from an ACT-IAC paper for the next presidential term include a chief risk management officer based at the Office of Management and Budget.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Digital Government

FCW Insider: July 28

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