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.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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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.

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.

Cybersecurity

Impeachment looms over shutdown talks

A third continuing resolution could be in the cards as lawmakers wrangle over funding levels.

Cybersecurity

'Technical irregularities' plagued contact chaining at NSA

ODNI's privacy czar said bad data from telecoms irrevocably tainted the contact-chaining process that was at the heart of the NSA's Call Detail Records program.

People

Paid parental leave for feds in NDAA

The must-pass defense bill is set to emerge from conference committee with a provision that gives civilian feds 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Ideas

Sensitive Data Must Be Protected. That Doesn’t Mean It Can’t Also Be Used.

Two promising tools may allow agencies to share data while maintaining privacy and security requirements.

Modernization

DOD seeks more 5G prototypes

The Defense Department detailed two more draft plans for proposed 5G testbeds at military bases around the country.

Modernization

Amazon’s Bezos Hits Silicon Valley For Not Working With Pentagon

His comments come as his company fights to wrest DOD’s giant cloud contract from Microsoft.

Modernization

AWS lawsuit alleges 'improper pressure' from Trump on JEDI

President Donald Trump personally steered a $10-billion cloud computing contract away from frontrunner Amazon Web Services out of personal and political animus against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, according to the details of a lawsuit released publicly Dec. 9.