Cybersecurity

Trump Calls For More Biometric Scans, Data Sharing To Stop Terrorism

International travelers can expect to see more facial recognition and other biometric technologies per the latest national security strategy document.

Digital Government

Shutdown Thwarted Public Input on Agency Rules

Lawmakers, citing public health and environmental impact, want OMB to extend the rulemaking comment period.

Cybersecurity

White House Orders Agencies to Defend the Skies From Cyberattacks

In its National Strategy for Aviation Security, the Trump administration called on the government to be more proactive in spotting threats to U.S. airspace.

Policy

Trump Officially Directs Pentagon to Create Space Force, Within Air Force

If Congress approves, Space Force would exist like the Marine Corps within the Navy Department.

Modernization

GSA Highlights E-Commerce Portal Feedback

One of the General Services Administration’s top acquisition officials provided an update on more than 200 pages of feedback received from industry on e-commerce portal plans.

Cybersecurity

Federal Officials Want Public Input on Election Tech Requirements

The most recent Voluntary Voting System Guidelines include a call for paper ballots.

Digital Government

OPM Wants Agencies to Show Their Work on Management Agenda Tech and Data Goals

Annual human capital reviews are coming and agencies have to show progress meeting the administration’s workforce, tech and data priorities.

Policy

New York’s Ejection of Amazon Is the Start of a Movement

NYC lawmakers who led a resistance campaign against HQ2 are declaring victory. And already, they have plans to escalate their opposition to tax incentives.

Modernization

Here’s What Technology Modernization Fund Dollars Are Doing Now

Three projects have awarded contracts so far and two have already spent a combined $6 million to date.

Cybersecurity

DHS ‘Doubling Down’ on Election Security Heading Into 2020

Under Congress’ budget deal, the Homeland Security Department will receive $33 million to combat foreign influence campaigns and defend election security in fiscal 2019.

Emerging Tech

FAA Wants to Protect First Responders from Drone Bombs

Under a new ruling, law enforcement officers would be able to identify drones from afar.

Policy

Trump Administration Releases Rural Broadband Strategy

Officials estimate that 24 million people in the United States can't get broadband internet service. Eighty percent of those people live in rural areas.

Artificial Intelligence

There’s a Big Obstacle to the Pentagon’s New Strategy to Speed AI to Troops

Defense officials want to accelerate the delivery of artificial-intelligence tools from the lab to the field. But it's hard to obtain the massive data streams that make AI work.

Ideas

The Problem With a ‘Smart’ Border Wall

To resolve Trump’s impasse, many lawmakers have proposed boosting surveillance technology to create a virtual border wall. Is that more humane and effective?

Policy

GAO Urges Congress to Start Moving on a Privacy Law

Researchers recommended lawmakers give regulators more power to write rules and punish the companies that break them.

Policy

Defense Acquisition Guidance Overhaul Will Focus Squarely on Software

The Defense Department shouldn’t be buying software the same way it buys weapons, and the next version of its acquisition guidance should reflect that.

Digital Government

Should Libraries Be the Keepers of Their Cities’ Public Data?

Public libraries are one of the most trusted institutions, and they want to make sure everyone has access to the information cities are collecting and sharing.

Digital Government

FBI Should Tighten Monitoring of Employee Texting, Watchdog Says

Software recommendations come as follow-up to 2016 review of alleged political bias.

Digital Government

Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown

Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.

Artificial Intelligence

White House Unveils a National Artificial Intelligence Initiative

The executive order calls for agencies to focus on AI, but details and funds are sparse.