Ideas
NASA May Bring a Laser-Based Internet to Space for Mars Missions
NASA will need to boost its comms to support human space travel.
People
Shifting culture is the best way to reignite public-sector innovation
Agencies that embrace transparency, collaboration and meritocracy as foundational values will have more success adapting to a fast-moving and increasingly ambiguous future.
Acquisition
GSA on track with schedules, EIS
GSA's Federal Acquisition Service is successfully shepherding a comprehensive series of initiatives to streamline the procurement process for agencies and companies.
Digital Government
Labor Awards $11 Million to Help States Leverage Data to Bolster Their Workforce
The department aims to improve the effectiveness of its workforce and the data systems that inform it.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: July 24
News, analysis and other updates from FCW's reporters and editors.
Digital Government
What Restaurant Reviews Reveal About Cities
Where official census data is sparse, MIT researchers find that restaurant review websites can offer similar demographic and economic information.
Cybersecurity
NSA Launches Cybersecurity Directorate
The group is charged with defending the country’s national security infrastructure and defense contractors against digital threats.
Cybersecurity
Barr Calls For An End to ‘Warrant-Proof’ Encryption
The attorney general railed against the tech during a speech in New York City, reinvigorating a debate that’s long rankled law enforcement officials and the tech community.
Modernization
How Agriculture Plans to Boost Its IT Workforce
The department plans to reskill employees for a data-heavy future and create a CIO development program.
Modernization
Pentagon’s DEOS Award Could Be Coming Sooner Than Expected
An award for the Pentagon’s multibillion Defense Enterprise Office Solutions contract could come by August.
Digital Government
Hill Democrats target McConnell in election security push
Congressional Democrats are sounding the alarm on the security threats facing the 2020 elections -- and bashing the senator they feel is most responsible for legislative inaction.
Digital Government
Small Agencies Need Shared Services Providers to Step Up DATA Act Support
Large departments are assisting smaller agencies in meeting their DATA Act requirements through shared services providers. But that help isn’t always so helpful.
People
Senate confirms Esper as new Defense secretary
With conflict increasing between the U.S. and Iran, Mark Esper's confirmation brings some order to a seven-month round of musical chairs among the Defense Department's top leadership.
Modernization
USDA set to release EIS task order
The Agriculture Department is close to issuing its solicitation for modernized telecommunications infrastructure.
Digital Government
OPM Cuts Security Clearance Backlog in Half, But Processing Delays Spell Trouble for Pentagon
The National Background Investigations Bureau is barreling through the backlog of clearance applications as the Defense Department prepares to take over the function in October.
Digital Government
White House and Lawmakers Agree to Two-Year Budget Deal
The agreement would lift spending caps and raise the debt ceiling.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: July 23
News, analysis and other updates from FCW's reporters and editors.
Ideas
FaceApp Is Everyone’s Problem
It feels good to call out people for being duped by the Russian app, but the individualist framing of privacy is the bigger culprit.
Cybersecurity