Cybersecurity

Russian troll farm indictment could boost social media legislation

The indictment of 13 Russian nationals accused of online and offline activity designed to interfere with the 2016 election may boost the fortunes of a bill to strengthen disclosure rules around online political ads.

Cybersecurity

Inconclusive encryption report straddles ongoing policy debate

By design, a long-awaited report on encryption from the National Academies of Sciences lacks hard conclusions or recommendations to settle the "going dark" debate.

People

Senior feds need better job prep, survey says

Just half the new SES members reported satisfaction with their onboarding experience, according to a newly released survey from the Office of Personnel Management.

Modernization

Defense Department (Re)Launches Open Source Software Portal

The Code.mil open source initiative got a makeover and a new website: Code.mil.

Modernization

Pentagon Announces Industry Day For Major Cloud Acquisition

The Defense Department will host an industry day for its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud acquisition on March 7.

Emerging Tech

Google Chrome Has Begun Ridding the Internet of Crappy Ads

The company is creating a filter to get rid of annoying ad experiences.

Modernization

DOE plans cyber office, supercomputing expansion

The Energy Department budget would support a new infrastructure cybersecurity office and high-capacity computing efforts.

Cybersecurity

How vulnerable are contractors when it comes to data breaches?

A survey of more than 1,200 public sector contractors found that healthcare, defense and IT contractors lead vendors in reported incidents since 2016.

Cybersecurity

White House Threatens ‘Consequences’ for 2017 Russian Cyberattack

In an unusual public statement, the White House fingered Russia and said it would respond with unspecified “international consequences" to NotPetya.

Ideas

Why the Cloud Is Inevitable For Federal Agencies

Despite years of top-down push, there's been minimal buy-in from agencies.

Cybersecurity

Could the Military Start Drafting Hackers in Their 40s?

A commission on the draft is studying cutting age and gender exclusions for people with cyber skills.

Modernization

DOD to clarify its cloud plans with industry day

As industry speculation continues to swirl, the Pentagon's cloud steering group will discuss its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud acquisition.

People

VA chief to reimburse for wife's travel, tickets

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is looking to put a highly charged oversight report behind him as he presses for his 2019 budget request.

Emerging Tech

DHS Announces Finalists in Biothreat-Spotting Contest

A department contest advanced five early warning systems designed to detect biological attacks.

Modernization

VA Secretary on $10B Health Records Contract: ‘We Have To Get This One Right’

The Trump administration requested $1.2 billion in fiscal 2019 for a commercial health records contract, which the department is expected to award by March.

Digital Government

GSA chief slammed for FBI building pivot

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle lit into Emily Murphy for abandoning a plan to consolidate FBI headquarters.

Cybersecurity

International Hackers Find 106 Bugs in U.S. Air Force Websites

One bug discovered during Hack the Air Force 2.0 earned $12,500—the largest federal bounty paid out so far.

People

Peace Corps CIO exits after 3 months

Rick Endres is no longer Peace Corps CIO; deputy CIO Scott Knell, who served as the acting CIO for most of 2017, is back leading tech at the agency.