Digital Government

Senate Passes Bill to Make Government Data More Accessible

The legislation would require agencies to publish all nonsensitive information in a machine-readable format.

Cybersecurity

Plan to Dumb-Down the Power Grid In Name of Cybersecurity Passes Senate

The bill would establish and fund a public-private partnership to look at retro, analog options for securing the nation’s electric grid from digital threats.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Want IG to Dig into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Crowd

The trio of informal associates is reported to wield outsized influence over personnel and procurement decisions at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Digital Government

A Government Shutdown Doesn’t Mean All the IT Shuts Down

Both baseline infrastructure and critical IT systems have to stay on during a shutdown, which means some IT staff won’t be furloughed.

Digital Government

If Feds Go Home For a Shutdown, Do Their Phones Go With Them?

A handful of potentially impacted agencies have updated their guidance since the last shutdown.

Digital Government

Congress Races to the Finish Line Amid Shutdown Threat

The Senate passed lots of tech-centric bills and set the stage for next year’s privacy debate.

Modernization

Updated Trusted Internet Connection Draft Lays Framework For Flexible Policy

The draft policy puts it on the Homeland Security Department to develop use case examples for how agencies can ensure safe connections wherever and however feds are working.

Digital Government

USASpending.gov Needs Better Search and Better Data, Watchdog Says

The transparency site does not provide as much government spending data as it should, GAO said.

Modernization

Federal CIO Previews 2019 Priorities

OMB will roll out more reskilling programs, tweak FITARA scoring and is looking at standards for automated decision-making, Suzette Kent said.

Modernization

GAO Dismisses IBM’s JEDI Protest

With the U.S. Court of Federal Claims addressing a similar case, the Government Accountability Office dismissed IBM’s protest.

Modernization

FITARA Scores Are Up But More Work Lies Ahead

Lawmakers warned agencies not to rest on their laurels.

Modernization

Congress Votes For Better Government Websites, Digital Services

The Senate passed the 21st Century IDEA Act, giving agencies one year to improve citizens’ digital experiences.

Digital Government

Senate Bill Would Force Security Clearance Reforms

It also would require the director of National Intelligence to rethink the SF-86 form and process.

Digital Government

Agencies Increase FITARA Scores

Eleven agencies increased their grade and 13 remained the same.

Cybersecurity

CBP Officers Aren’t Deleting Data After Warrantless Device Searches, IG Says

An inspector general report found Border Patrol officers didn’t follow standard procedures during device searches, mostly because those procedures weren’t clearly laid out.

Policy

OMB Redefines Government's 'Crown Jewels'

A new policy memo expands the government’s guidance for protecting high-value assets to include every agency and office and broadens the definition of “value.”

Artificial Intelligence

Think Tank Offers AI Strategy Pointers for White House, Congress

The Center for Data Innovation released a report with six goals and 40 recommendations to keep the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft: Tech Companies Must Regulate Their Use of Facial Recognition

The tech company addresses its industry peers.

Modernization

Oracle Takes JEDI Case to Court

After a failed bid protest effort, Oracle has taken its issues with JEDI to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Considers Cybersecurity Certification for Its Contractors

It’s still unclear what would be required for certification or how much it would cost for businesses.