People

Union's complaint against Impasses Panel to go forward

A federal labor union can go ahead with a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the composition of the Federal Services Impasses Panel, a judge ruled June 22.

Emerging Tech

TSA's Plan to Address Evolving Threats to Travelers Relies on Innovative Technology

While technology was not a distinct focus area for the agency, it permeates every aspect of the administrator’s vision.

Acquisition

Lawmakers skeptical of seaborne drone fleet

The House defense committee is looking to add some oversight for rapid procurement of unmanned vehicles and vessels, and wants more detailed plans on how the Army will use its newly developed augmented reality headset.

Ideas

Virtual Reality Has Been Boosted by Coronavirus – Here's How to Avoid It Leading Us to Dystopia

There appears to have been a significant rise in VR offerings this year, aiming to deliver safe, accessible experiences during the pandemic.

Digital Government

New National Science Foundation Director Begins Six-Year Term

Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan officially became the 15th director of the government’s lead scientific research outreach and funding arm.

Modernization

First end-to-end EIS upgrade completed

The National Labor Relations Board tapped AT&T for what the carrier says is the first completed task order on the federal government's next-generation telecommunications services contract.

Ideas

The Death of the Open-Plan Office? Not Quite, but a Revolution is in the Air

The open-plan office will have to evolve, though, finding its true purpose as a collaborative work space augmented by remote work.

Cybersecurity

Survey hints at ways to solve the cyber talent gap

A new survey of nearly 3,500 security researchers who use Bugcrowd’s platform offers a glimpse into the backgrounds and motivations of a highly coveted pool of emerging cyber talent that both government and industry are desperate to recruit.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

FCW Insider: June 23

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

Artificial Intelligence

Study: Customers Increasingly Turn to Self-Support Amid Pandemic

Customers have increased their reliance on chatbots and self-support sessions since the coronavirus began.

Ideas

Back Pain: 4 Ways to Fix Bad Lockdown Posture – By Copying Astronauts

Common poor desk posture is actually very similar to the posture astronauts adopt during spaceflight in zero-gravity.

Artificial Intelligence

Defense Authorization Act Clears Key Subcommittee in the House  

The legislation includes some recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, but not the main one. 

Emerging Tech

5G-Focused Legislation Aims to Improve Security in Military Telecom Infrastructure

The DoD 5G Act would direct the launch of a Defense Secretary-led telecommunications security program.

Cybersecurity

Key Solarium recommendations find a home in the defense bill

Lawmakers declined to add a mandate for a White House Cyber Director position, citing jurisdictional issues.

Acquisition

AI leadership restructuring, IT policy oversight on tap in 2021 NDAA

The House Armed Services Committee began marking up its draft of the 2021 defense policy bill with some focus on artificial intelligence efforts and oversight of IT policy.

Cybersecurity

DHS Insider Threat Program Expanding to Anyone Who Accesses Agency Info

The Homeland Security Department will begin tracking all personnel—federal employees and contractors, with or without a security clearance—in the hunt for insider threats.

Digital Government

Black Professionals Miss Out on Recent Job Gains

Black workers with bachelor’s degrees lost 200,000 jobs in May.

Ideas

Domestic Abusers Use Tech that Connects as a Weapon During Coronavirus Lockdowns

Left unchecked, violence against women and girls can increase in frequency and severity and damage victims’ physical and mental health. I