Ideas
Where Everyone Goes When the Internet Breaks
Downdetector is a simple, ugly utility, which becomes a weird little life raft for displaced communities when their websites crash.
Modernization
IGs Announce Plan to Probe Joint DOD, VA Electronic Health Records Programs
The two inspector general offices are teaming up to determine whether the commercial EHR programs are meeting the main goal of interoperability.
Emerging Tech
Energy’s Undersecretary for Science Provides Update on Forthcoming Quantum Research Centers
Final applications are due in April.
Cybersecurity
Spy law reauthorization postponed to avoid tough privacy votes
A markup to reauthorize the USA Freedom Act was pushed back indefinitely as members deal with the fallout of a new oversight report and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) prepares to introduce a number of proposed amendments.
People
Esper says he didn't seek the authority to gut DOD unions
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told lawmakers he was waiting for a staff analysis of a recent presidential memo before deciding whether to leverage new authority.
Modernization
App Tells You Who's Collecting Your Data and Why
Find out what internet of things devices around you may be tracking you.
Artificial Intelligence
White House Touts a Year of AI Initiatives in Roundup Report
The Office of Science and Technology Policy released a list of accomplishments in promoting artificial intelligence, including efforts to adopt cutting-edge technologies within the federal government.
Emerging Tech
Will Flying Cars Help the US Beat China? The Air Force Hopes So.
Service officials say giving American manufacturers first-mover advantage is just as important as the military benefits of vertical-lift buses.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers press DHS chief on drug detection tech
Illicit drug shipments through land ports of entry concern lawmakers who asked acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf for details on the technology to stop them.
Cybersecurity
CISA Director Pushes to Discontinue Social Security Numbers as Identification
Industry is eager to promote alternatives and improvements for digital identity.
Ideas
FBI Cyber Crime Report Shows the Weakness of Password Protection
It’s time we see passwords for the paper tigers that they are.
Cybersecurity
TRANSCOM head says contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats
The lead general for TRANSCOM threw support behind the Defense Department's impending unified cybersecurity standard for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, as contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Feb. 26
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Artificial Intelligence
NOAA Launches New Strategy to Streamline and Advance Its AI-Driven Efforts
The agency outlined its goals to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence across the enterprise.
Digital Government
Data Center Issue Prompts GAO to Revert Redesigned Website Back to an Old Version
The new site’s host company, Contegix, is still working to resolve the technical difficulties, a GAO official said.
Cybersecurity
Government-Run Energy Company Keeps Reeling in the Same Employees in Phishing Training
The Tennessee Valley Authority has a good initial phishing training program in place but lacks real consequences for those that fail.
People
Oversight chair reignites probe into controversial Trump aide
Security clearance concerns are raised after Trump rehires ousted aide for key personnel job
Policy
Taxing Internet Ads Could Raise Lots of Money, but Doubts Persist
Maryland could be the first in the nation to tax online ads.
Cybersecurity