Modernization
Special Report: The Evolution of the FITARA Scorecard
An in-depth look at an important oversight tool Congress uses to track agencies’ modernization efforts.
Cybersecurity
CISA Issues Deadline for Federal Agencies to Address Pulse Secure Vulnerabilities
The vulnerabilities led to the compromise of government agencies early last summer and, together with a newly disclosed flaw, continue to be exploited.
Cybersecurity
DOD’s Cybersecurity Accreditation Partner Working to Address Conflict of Interest Issues
Multiple members of the Accreditation Body’s board of directors also serve as consultants in the cybersecurity space, which critics say gives them an unfair advantage to cash in on the program.
Modernization
DOD’s Deputy CIO Wants to Change the Conversation on IT
Danielle Metz, leader for the information enterprise, discusses the misconceptions about the office of the CIO, the ongoing Fourth Estate Network Optimization project and the importance of software modernization.
Cybersecurity
Energy Department Announces 100-Day Sprint to Shore Up Power Grid Cybersecurity
The department will partner with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and utilities to improve visibility, detection and response to cyber threats.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan Bills Aim to Expand Federal Quantum Research and Grow Future Workforce
The U.S. must keep an edge in this increasingly competitive realm, according to the lawmakers who introduced the legislation.
Digital Government
Advocates Hope First Female Army Secretary Brings Change
Nominee Christine Wormuth has led strategy and policy at the highest levels. Can she lead cultural change as well?
Digital Government
New Treasury Office Will Oversee Covid Relief and Recovery Programs
Billions in state and local government aid is part of the office's portfolio.
Cybersecurity
Survey: Large Contractors More Concerned Than Small Contractors About DOD’s Cybersecurity Certification Program
A new survey puts numbers on conflicting narratives about the small businesses perspective and issues of competition in the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification regime.
Modernization
Connolly, Hice Announce Bill to Improve Performance Planning at FITARA Hearing
The Performance Enhancement Reform Act would require greater collaboration among agency officials and more detailed descriptions of resources required to meet goals.
Cybersecurity
FBI Opens a Case on Chinese Activity ‘Every 10 Hours,’ Intel Chiefs Say
China leads a pack of threats to the United States, they tell lawmakers.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: White House Sanctions Russia over SolarWinds
Agencies involved in response also issued advisories on the hackers' tactics while Microsoft offered federal customers free trials of an auditing tool.
Emerging Tech
House Bill Would Direct Feds to Use Drones, Remote Sensors in U.S. Reforestation Efforts
The legislation calls for a five-year pilot program aimed at removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Digital Government
Bill Would Prohibit Sale of Americans’ Personal Data to Adversarial Countries
The proposal would establish an interagency group to categorize data, then develop a list of countries banned from importing individuals’ data that could threaten national security.
Emerging Tech
Human Rights Organizations Call for Corporate Ban on Facial Recognition Tech
The organizations called facial recognition "inherently discriminatory and dangerous."
Digital Government
No Domestic Surveillance Authorities Needed, NSA Director Reiterates
Instead, Gen. Paul Nakasone and other intelligence community leaders want better public-private partnerships to address “blind spots” in the cyber realm.
Modernization
Congress Gave OMB $1B for IT Upgrades. Now It Wants to Know How It Will Be Spent
Lawmakers want to know which projects will get prioritized and which will be recused from repaying the fund.
Digital Government
Survey: 69% of Women Under Age 30 Say COVID-19 Has Harmed Their Mental Health
Women are more likely to have experienced psychological consequences from the public health crisis. The health care system may not be equipped to respond.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Launched New Innovation Steering Group
The announcement came during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing highlighting Defense budget tensions.
Modernization