Modernization
Democratic Senators Urge Social Security to Restore Telework
Lawmakers ask the agency to reconsider its decision to end a 6-year-old pilot program, citing concerns about the burden it places on employees and productivity.
Policy
House Passes Bill to Boost STEM Access for Minority Students
The bill calls for increased federal investments and outreach to support the institutions and diversify the STEM domain.
Cybersecurity
Survey: Ransomware Will Continue to Threaten Public Sector Organizations in 2020
About one-third of the state and federal IT officials who responded said they faced a ransomware attack in the last three years.
People
NDAA blocks OPM-GSA merger
The Trump administration's plan to merge the Office of Personnel Management with the General Services Administration is going to have to wait another year, if a provision included in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act is passed into law.
People
Family leave for feds would take effect in Oct. 2020
A provision in the defense bill would give feds with one year on the job the benefit of 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child.
Modernization
Defense Digital Service Seeks Platform that Could Automate Hiring Process
Officials are looking for technical solutions that boost automation and reduce unconscious bias.
Digital Government
Congress targets OTAs, cyber investments in defense policy bill
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act conference report homes in on other transaction authorities, drones and cybersecurity investments.
Ideas
Our Predictions About the Internet Are Probably Wrong
It’s easy to forget how unforeseeable the “unforeseeable” really is
Cybersecurity
Senators warn on encryption
Law enforcement hawks from both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee threatened tech companies with new rules for access to encrypted data.
Modernization
Microsoft and Pentagon to Kick Off JEDI Cloud Prep
Microsoft and Defense Department officials will meet for three days to discuss the cloud project despite Amazon lawsuit.
Digital Government
Maryland Senator Says President is the 'Wild Card' in Spending Negotiations
While Democrats and Republicans negotiate on appropriations, it’s unclear how the president will react.
Emerging Tech
TSA Isn’t Doing Enough To Ensure Screening Tech Continues Working Over Time, Watchdog Says
A report shows the airport security agency is good at building and deploying tech but doesn’t have a process to ensure those tools keep operating at a high level.
Acquisition
DOD wants prime contractors to be 'help desk' for new cybersecurity model
The Defense Department is pushing forward with its unified cybersecurity standard for contractors and wants large companies and industry associations to show startups and smaller firms the way.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Dec. 10
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Emerging Tech
Amazon Claims Pentagon Got Almost Everything Wrong in JEDI Evaluation
The company alleges the president’s public beef with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos influenced “substantial and pervasive errors” in the Defense Department’s technical evaluation of bids.
Ideas
We're Using Lasers and Toaster-Sized Satellites to Beam Information Faster through Space
Yes, that's optical communication.
Digital Government
GAO Handbook Helps Answer Whether That New Tech Is Right For Your Agency
The handbook outlines how the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics Office prepares reports for Congress, but the principles can be applied to any organization looking at new technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
What Veterans Affairs Aims to Accomplish Through Its Artificial Intelligence Institute
The agency plans to streamline and advance its AI efforts to better meet veterans’ needs.
Cybersecurity