Emerging Tech
CBP Expands Facial Recognition Program to Another Southern Border Crossing
Travelers passing through the Progreso port of entry on foot will see a new crossing protocol.
Digital Government
Senator Questions DHS’ Use of Cellphone Location Data for Immigration Enforcement
Sen. Ed Markey wants details on the reported program, including its security practices.
Ideas
Longer Thumbs Lead to More Smartphone Touch Errors
It's not your big, dumb thumbs, it's your long, dumb thumbs.
Modernization
Court orders temporary block on JEDI
JEDI, the Defense Department’s multi-billion-dollar cloud procurement, is officially on hold, according to a federal court announcement Feb. 13.
Ideas
Hackers Could Shut Down Satellites—or Turn Them into Weapons
On the mundane end of scale, hackers could simply shut satellites down.
Digital Government
House bill would make modernization CoEs law
A new bipartisan bill would codify the General Services Administration’s Centers of Excellence.
Cybersecurity
CISA leans into facilitator role in election security plan
A strategic plan for protecting the 2020 elections from foreign interference lays out a number of plans to support and empower other stakeholders from hacks, influence operations and other threats.
Modernization
How DOD plans to automate classified cloud provisioning
The Pentagon wants to automate cloud provisioning at the classified level, and a stop-work order on its $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud program won't help, the department said.
Modernization
New Bipartisan Bill Would Codify GSA’s Centers of Excellence Program
The “light touch” legislation was introduced by Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Mark Meadows, R-N.C.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Feb. 13
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
White House Budget Gives Election Agency More Funding, But Expert Says It's Not Enough
"A budget should be doubling down on funding [election-related] institutions," the observer argued.
Cybersecurity
Federal Contracts to Require Secure Timing and Navigation Under Executive Order
Key stakeholder says the president’s edict is insufficient and likely to cause confusion over the role of various departments.
People
GAO, Congress warn on Census staffing, cyber
On the eve of the 2020 census, oversight bodies are warning on risks that could compromise the population count.
Digital Government
NASA to Begin Recruiting Astronauts for Its Upcoming Missions to the Moon and Mars
New candidates will likely be selected in mid-2021.
Modernization
Federal Contracting Community Shreds FBO Replacement Site in Letter to GSA
“If this had the same notoriety as Healthcare.gov, people would have been fired.”
Emerging Tech
Defense Digital Service is Taking Over a Drone and Counter-Drone Development Team
Building and scaling a suite of new drone capabilities is one of the Defense Department’s top priorities, officials said.
Modernization
Frustrated by Flawed Broadband Maps, States Are Trying to Create Their Own
The Federal Communications Commission’s broadband maps underestimate the number of households that lack internet service. State agencies are trying to gather better data.
Digital Government
Contractors detail SAM website woes
Trade group relates ongoing problems with contracting opportunities.
Ideas