Modernization

NIST Invites Comment on Guidance for Who Gets to Access What in the Cloud 

Cloud services facilitate resource and data sharing but that introduces security vulnerabilities.

Digital Government

ODNI Directs Agencies to Be Flexible with National Security Contractors

The guidance recommends immediate contract modifications to allow some industry personnel to remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Emerging Tech

Wi-Fi Peeks into Buildings to Check Social Distancing

Mapping the Wi-Fi strength of mobile devices can reveal how people move and gather.

Digital Government

GSA Creates Buying Guide for COVID-19 Screenings at Federal Buildings

As the government’s buyer and landlord, the General Services Administration created a central contract vehicle for screening services to prevent infected people from entering federal buildings.

People

OPM loosens purse strings on recruitment, retention and relocation

New policy allows agencies to ask for waiver of 25% incentive and retention caps in COVID-19 response.

Digital Government

NOAA Teams with Record-Breaking Explorer to Map the Unknowns of Earth’s Deepest Ocean Points

The agency will work with Victor Vescovo’s Caladan Oceanic to share assets, facilities and data that they hope will strategically power new discoveries.

Digital Government

Pelosi continues to resist calls for remote voting

While the Speaker of the House said there are constitutional and security concerns with letting members vote virtually, she has moved to loosen other rules around in-person legislating.

Acquisition

FAA asks employees to round up N95 masks, other PPE

The Federal Aviation Administration put out an email blast to employees at field offices and airport facilities on April 8 looking for medical supplies to share out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Cybersecurity

Navy, Senate Researching Cyber Services  

The Navy is putting feelers out for an intelligence analyst, while the Senate explores the landscape for penetration testing.

Modernization

In a crisis, America turns to….COBOL programmers and fax machines

The coronavirus pandemic illustrates how far the federal government and states has to go to support an agile, 21st century public sector workforce.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

FCW Insider: April 9

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

Cybersecurity

CISA, U.K. Agency Issue Alert on Spike in Coronavirus-Themed Cyber Activity

It’s not just phishing and malware. Malicious actors also target known bugs in virtual private networks and other networking tools.

Cybersecurity

CISA Offers Ways to Lessen Lag for Teleworkers Without Sacrificing Security

The temporary guidance outlines options and best practices for agencies to follow during the coronavirus pandemic.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Push CDC for New Demographic Data on Coronavirus Patients

A group of 17 lawmakers asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect sex, race, ethnicity and other information to spot potential inequities in health care. 

Modernization

VA Delays Major IT Programs to Focus on COVID-19

The initial rollout of the new electronic health records system will be pushed out—again—as well as pilots for the new scheduling system. A third, integral effort remains on track.

Cybersecurity

CISA looks to help secure federal telework

New guidance allows teleworking feds to connect and access agency and cloud resources from their homes while staying in compliance with the Trusted Internet Connection program.

Cybersecurity

NASA Warns Employees of ‘Exponential’ Increase in Cyber Threats

The Office of the Chief Information Officer sent a memo detailing how teleworking employees can protect agency systems. 

Acquisition

GAO: Agencies are missing EIS targets

Federal agencies are slow to adopt the governmentwide $50 billion next generation telecommunications contract vehicle, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

Digital Government

Trump Removes Acting Pentagon IG Slated to Lead Pandemic Oversight

Only current IGs may serve in the new position created by Congress to oversee the government's coronavirus relief effort.