Emerging Tech
FCC to Consider Proposal Enabling Spectrum for Commercial Space Launches
Companies currently are approved on an ad-hoc basis to share the federal spectrum during specific operations.
Cybersecurity
DOD Concludes Review of First CMMC Certification Organization
The Accreditation Body in charge of the department’s developing certification program also has a notable new leader as others take their leave.
Modernization
Why the Army Elevated Its Enterprise Cloud Office to Agency Status
Director Paul Puckett explained the move is a recognition that cloud computing is not a temporary project.
Digital Government
Telework Works and Other Workforce Lessons Census Learned During the Pandemic
The U.S. Census Bureau’s customer experience chief encouraged agencies to embrace small gains.
Digital Government
Biden Infrastructure Plan Includes Billions for Federal Buildings and Research
The American Jobs Plan proposes spending a small chunk of the $2 trillion on improving federal office buildings and hospitals.
Cybersecurity
CISA Orders Agencies to Conduct Fresh Scans of Microsoft Exchange Servers
The agency issued supplemental guidance requiring new tests with Microsoft-provided tools and measures to harden the attractive target.
Modernization
GAO Dismisses IBM Bid Protest on $729 Million Task Order
The decision comes after the Army undertook multiple corrective action periods to address concerns mostly related to mapping of government personnel.
Artificial Intelligence
Regulators Want to Know How Financial Institutions Use AI and How They’re Mitigating Risks
Five federal agencies will publish a request for information Wednesday seeking feedback on 17 specific questions.
Ideas
Getting and Growing the Cyber Workforce You Need for 2021—and Beyond
It’s no secret that the competition for cyber talent is stiff. With a 0% unemployment rate and nearly 400K open positions across the U.S., federal agencies must reinvent their cyber employee experience.
Digital Government
Third Defense Audit Shows Some Progress, Watchdog Says
Some components are performing better, but overall, the department’s books still don’t add up.
Digital Government
OMB Restores Agency CX Guidance Eliminated Under Trump
The guidance had been eliminated by the Trump administration during the lame-duck session in late December.
Modernization
Your Streaming Binge Could Soon Be Interrupted by Emergency Alerts and Tests
The FCC is in the early stages of investigating how audio and video streaming platforms would participate in the Emergency Alert System.
Emerging Tech
Watchdog to Review How Postal Inspectors Handle Cryptocurrency
Digital currencies have already been seized by the law enforcement arm in previous investigations.
Ideas
Lessons From 30 Years of Government Reform Efforts
There’s much that newcomers to government should learn from the past.
Policy
Buttigieg Underscores Urgency of Transportation Infrastructure Investment
Republican lawmakers are skeptical of the scope of the Biden administration’s planned infrastructure package, which the president is expected to provide more details on next week.
Cybersecurity
FedRAMP Outlines Requirements for Using Containers
Container technology allows operability across operating systems and faster development but is a primary security concern for implementers.
Digital Government
Which Federal Agencies Are Giving Their Contractors Access to COVID-19 Vaccines?
Agencies are taking different approaches to inoculating their contract employees, even though—as one trade association executive put it—“The virus doesn’t care whether someone is wearing a blue government badge or green contractor badge.”
Cybersecurity
Director Says NSA’s Domestic Surveillance Authority ‘Rightly’ Limited
Gen. Paul Nakasone, who oversees both the intelligence agency and U.S. Cyber Command, stressed the need for greater visibility through private-sector information streams.
Digital Government
Democrats and Republicans United in Big Tech Frustration
But what to do with policies like Section 230 remains unclear.
Digital Government