Digital Government
Congress Questions Trump's ZTE Deal
Plus the other goodies tucked into the National Defense Authorization Act federal employees need to know.
Modernization
Technology Modernization Fund Board Doesn't Want Boring Proposals
Agencies that want a shot at funding had better make their proposals interesting.
Cybersecurity
Schumer, Rubio Seek to Reverse Trump Reversal on ZTE Ban
Trump wants to help ZTE as part of a U.S.-China trade deal, but lawmakers say the company’s a national security risk.
Policy
Congress Says It Doesn’t Need a Tech Advisory Office
Lawmakers voted against reinstating the Office of Technology Assessment, which was defunded in 1995.
Cybersecurity
Bill Would Prevent States from Messing with Encryption
The bill comes amid an encryption debate that pits national security against cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
DOD Must Comply with DHS Cybersecurity Directives Under Senate Bill
Homeland Security has issued numerous binding cybersecurity directives recently, including banning Kaspersky anti-virus and mandating email security.
Cybersecurity
House Homeland Votes Against Demanding ZTE Threat Report
Homeland Security is already sharing information about threats posed by the Chinese telecom, Chairman Michael McCaul argued.
Modernization
IRS Plans to Hire 1,700, Upgrade Outdated Technology
In a new strategic plan, the agency projects a 17 percent increase in phone calls as it implements the new tax law.
Cybersecurity
Huawei Slams FCC Efforts to Bar It From Federal Communications Program
Government officials say the Chinese telecom poses a hacking threat to national security.
Modernization
GAO Rules Against Pentagon's Experimental $950 Million Cloud Deal
The Government Accountability Office recommended the Defense Department terminate a contract awarded to REAN Cloud in February.
Cybersecurity
Government Report IDs the Need For Speed in Cyber Hiring
The report from the Commerce and Homeland Security departments also urges more investment in cyber education and training.
Policy
The U.S. Is Altering its Visa Policies to Stem China’s Advancement in STEM
The State Department is preparing to shorten the length of the visas it issues to Chinese nationals.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Question Defense's Cloud, the President's Phone and BTW, TL;DR
Those unresolved Government Accountability Office recommendations could haunt agencies during budget time.
Digital Government
OPM Wants to Make it Easier to Hire for Tech Jobs
Officials will solicit info from agencies on a potential governmentwide direct hire authority for STEM and cybersecurity posts.
Policy
Senate Defense Bill Aims to Scrub Cyber Adversaries from U.S. Military Tech
The bill would require companies to disclose if they’d shared source code with foreign governments.
Policy
Huawei, ZTE Get the Boot in House-Passed Defense Bill
The bill gives federal agencies until 2021 to scrub the Chinese telecoms from their networks.
Policy
Lawmaker Threatens USDA Officials with 'Legislative Metrics' to Preserve Telework
Rep. Gerry Connolly calls Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s recent rollback of telework at the agency “retrograde.”
Policy
Pentagon Bans Personal Devices from Classified Areas
That includes phones, smartwatches and other devices that can transmit, store and receive data.
Emerging Tech
We Need a DARPA-Like Program for Veterans’ Problems, Experts Say
Dedicating funds to veterans’ health care needs could bring more products to market faster, experts told Congress.
Policy