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
House Passes Bill to Keep Tabs on VA’s Health Records Modernization
Lawmakers plan to keep a close eye on the implementation of the $10 billion project.
Policy
Cyber Amendments to Watch in the House’s Defense Authorization Bill
The House Rules Committee is considering more than a dozen cyber-focused amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass policy bill.
Digital Government
Lawmakers to NIH: Is Tech Stressing Out Our Kids?
Legislators also push back on the White House eliminating its cyber adviser and reverse bans on Chinese phone maker ZTE.
Cybersecurity
ZTE Kerfuffle Shows Cybersecurity Doesn’t Operate in a Vacuum
Lawmakers have decried the president’s efforts to reverse a ban on a Chinese telecom, citing security fears, but there’s a lot more at stake.
Policy
Trump Reportedly Asked the U.S. Postal Service to Charge Amazon Double
Following through on the demands could ultimately prove disastrous for USPS.
Policy
Government Should ‘Stop Pretending’ Your Social Security Number is Secret
Cyber experts want Congress to explore different ways to prove people’s identities.
Policy
GSA to Host Another E-Commerce Portal Industry Day
The agency will solicit information from vendors interested in hosting the platform and another for selling on it.
Modernization
Trump Strengthens Agency CIO Authority with Executive Order
The order puts presidential weight behind past legislation giving government CIOs more authority over hiring and budget.
Cybersecurity
Homeland Security Flexes Muscles with New Cybersecurity Strategy
The strategy envisions clearer consequences for agencies that don’t meet their cyber responsibilities.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Federal CIO Suzette Kent on Leading Governmentwide Transformation
She joins the podcast to talk about the whole-of-government IT modernization effort and what success will look like.
Cybersecurity
Georgia’s National Guard Unit Wants Some Help Prepping for a Big Cyber Test
The Georgia Army National Guard has a cyber readiness inspection coming up and wants a contractor to spend the summer helping it get ready.
Digital Government
Stringrays, Blocked Nominations and a Ton of Tech Bills
Congress is on a roll of tech-focused bills, including one that adds cyber positions to an agency.
Modernization
Bill Would Set 2-Year Deadline for Agencies to Get Digital
The 21st Century IDEA would require agencies to have a digital option for all paper-based forms and in-person interactions.
Policy
Congress Is Quietly Nudging NASA to Look for Aliens
The space agency hasn't funded the search for extraterrestrial intelligence for 25 years. Could that soon change?
Artificial Intelligence
White House Announces Select Committee of Federal AI Experts
The new interagency group will coordinate artificial intelligence programs and research across government.
Policy
House Panel Approves Measure to Slash Some Pentagon Offices, Make Workforce Reforms
Feds dodged a push from the Trump administration to include retirement cuts in NDAA.
Emerging Tech
10 Drone Programs Get Federal OK To Break The Rules
The public-private partnerships will test the use of drones in heretofore forbidden conditions, under the oversight of the Transportation Department and FAA.
Cybersecurity