Modernization
What agencies want from EIS
A case study shows agencies have made $7.4 billion in orders, seeking a mix of old and new technologies via the governmentwide Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions telecommunications contract.
Ideas
The Case for Using Commercial Tools to Allow Classified Telework
Programs like the National Security Agency’s Commercial Solutions for Classified could be a path to transmit classified information without specialized hardware.
Cybersecurity
Essye Miller: The exit interview
Essye Miller, DOD's outgoing principal deputy CIO, talks about COVID, the state of the tech workforce and the hard conversations DOD has to have to prepare personnel for the future.
People
Civic tech internship programs wins Harvard innovation challenge
Steve Kelman notes the latest accomplishment for the federally focused Coding it Forward initiative.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: June 5
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
DOJ Says Foreign Actors Trying to Fuel Violence at Protests Through Misinformation
The nation’s chief law enforcement official said adversaries are using digital means to increase unrest in the United States.
Policy
Effort to Develop Open Standards for 5G Moves in Intelligence Authorization Act
The bill cleared committee with one conspicuous hold out over an unsustainable proliferation of government secrets.
Emerging Tech
Energy Curates New Tools, Unveils Funding to Assist Research Efforts Against COVID-19
Through its COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program, the department will provide roughly $500,000 to support research against the pandemic.
Cybersecurity
Sen. Hassan digs into agency IT plans
The push comes, the New Hampshire Democrat explained, because of technology weaknesses exposed in the federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modernization
Lawmaker Wants Hard Details on Agencies’ Plans to Upgrade Legacy IT
Sen. Maggie Hassan gave 10 agencies until August 3 to answer six questions about their modernization plans—or lack thereof.
Digital Government
Ransomware attack hits federal IT contractor
Files containing sensitive data from DMI's work with NASA were leaked on the web, and the agency said it is following up with law enforcement. Other key customers for the firm include DOD, HHS and the State Department.
People
AFGE urges Congress to back labor priorities in defense bill
Priorities include preserving collective bargaining rights, granting paid family leave
Ideas
COVID-19 Has Exposed the Need to Invest in Digital Infrastructure
Even before the increased demand caused by COVID-19, much of our digital infrastructure was so poorly designed as to be hostile to users.
Acquisition
GAO probes influence of 'Mar-a-Lago crowd' on VA
A former VA official told the Government Accountability Office that three friends of President Trump established a "shadow reporting structure" in which "they were stakeholders without a formal role."
Policy
Bill Would Prevent the President from Nuking Hurricanes
It came on the first day of hurricane season, in response to a recommendation Trump reportedly made in the past.
Ideas
Smart Cities Can Help Us Manage Post-COVID Life, but They'll Need Trust as Well as Tech
But as we prepare to move beyond this crisis, cities need to design systems that are prepared to handle the next pandemic.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: June 4
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
People
Military leaders try to walk a fine line amid protests against police violence
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other senior officials signaled opposition to the use of active duty troops to police nationwide protests, but are running up against a commander-in-chief who appears to welcome conflict.
Digital Government