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
Poll: Nearly Three-Fourths of Americans Would Get Coronavirus Vaccine
Seventy-one percent of Americans would get a coronavirus vaccine if it were free and widely available, a large increase from just a week ago, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Modernization
Tennessee Valley Authority lays off IT staff in favor of outsourcing
The government-owned utility was "lagging" in its shift to managed services, the CIO said, and opted to go to a fully outsourced IT services plan.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Commission: Expand Connected Device Security Bill Beyond Federal Procurement Realm
The new recommendation comes in an annex the Cyberspace Solarium Commission released in light of the pandemic.
Modernization
VA’s Digital Transformation Efforts Helped It Quickly Pivot to Increased Remote Work
Deputy CIO Dominic Cussatt detailed how the agency heightened its capabilities for pandemic-induced telework.
Modernization
Pentagon names 7 new military sites for 5G testing
The Defense Department has selected seven new military installations to conduct 5G testing and experimentation in several areas including augmented reality, wireless connectivity, and spectrum sharing.
Digital Government
Trump’s Attacks on Vote-by-Mail Worry Some Election Officials
For months, President Donald Trump has been one of the loudest opponents to vote by mail.
Modernization
HUD Employees Saw Few Disruptions In Shift to Mass Telework, Says IG
The COVID-19 pandemic upended some paper-based processes and led to some network bandwidth issues, but the department has weathered the transition well, the watchdog reports.
Ideas
Technology for the Next Phase of Pandemic
Moving to later stages of reopening will require advancements in two areas, standardization of care and robust contact tracing.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Seek Answers From FBI, DHS on Protest Involvement
The House Committee on Homeland Security also wants to know how many personnel the agencies dispatched to address the protests.
Modernization
Automation is advancing in federal acquisition
Although bots that automate processes are common in federal acquisition, pure AI is still in beta mode, said experts.
Cybersecurity
Supplier ownership should be considered in assessing supply chain risk
Many vendors lack transparency into their own supply chains. So how can vendors – as well as their government customers — be assured that their sub-tier suppliers do not pose threats or vulnerabilities?
Digital Government
Pandemic, Civil Unrest Complicate Voting in the Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. is among the jurisdictions that encouraged residents to vote by mail to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, but voters who came out to the polls Tuesday still encountered long lines.
Digital Government
See What the Federal Response to D.C. Protests Looks Like
The officers reportedly volunteered for the assignment and received training to deescalate tensions.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: June 3
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Modernization
'Rip and replace' strategy for U.S. bulk power systems
Department of Energy officials say they plan to use a recent executive order to tear out foreign-made parts and components if they believe they pose a national security or economic risk.
Digital Government
State Department Harnesses Data to Help Bring Americans Home Safely During the Pandemic
The agency turned to data-focused teams and products to help decision-makers prioritize options.
Cybersecurity