People

Senate panel approves Granholm nomination to lead DOE

Jennifer Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, is poised to become energy secretary as the agency continues to grapple with the fallout of the SolarWinds Orion hack.

Modernization

How COVID-19 accelerated IT modernization

As previous IT investments proved their worth in 2020, the pandemic is prompting agencies to accelerate their modernization efforts

Modernization

Energy Dept. looks for AI impact

Two recently-announced artificial intelligence collaborations show how the technology can affect real world problems, according to the head of the Energy Department's AI office.

Modernization

Lawmakers seek red team testing of vulnerable grid networks

Senators want to craft authorities for federal agencies and private power infrastructure providers to allow more cybersecurity testing of energy grid network security.

Modernization

Feds to oversee grid supply chain effort

The Department of Energy's cybersecurity agency is set to begin the process of prequalifying vendors of bulk power equipment for the U.S. electric grid.

Modernization

'Rip and replace' strategy for U.S. bulk power systems

Department of Energy officials say they plan to use a recent executive order to tear out foreign-made parts and components if they believe they pose a national security or economic risk.

People

IRS outlines expanded flexible work schedule

The IRS, which is operating under an evacuation order that mandates telework for all eligible employees, released new guidance outlining its flexible work schedule policy.

Emerging Tech

Argonne Taps Supercomputing Network to Study How Coronavirus Spreads 

The national laboratory enlisted collaborators to help unleash a range of efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Digital Government

WH budget shifts R&D focus to quantum, AI

The president's proposed budget seeks to double current U.S. investments in AI and quantum computing, but the administration has also been criticized for seeking drastic cuts in other research areas.

Cybersecurity

Evans out at Energy Department

The Department of Energy is replacing Karen Evans at DOE's Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response office with a cyber official from NSA.

Cybersecurity

Budget request emphasizes cyber, network security efforts

The document provides a peek at how the administration would prioritize cybersecurity spending across DHS, Energy, Treasury and other departments.

Cybersecurity

Three agencies team on cyber defense of energy infrastructure

Three agencies with stakes in protecting critical energy infrastructure renew their efforts to develop cyber threat protections.

Modernization

Senate panel passes grid security bills

Senate energy committee advanced two bills to bolster protections for cross-cutting vulnerabilities in energy critical infrastructure.

Modernization

Nuclear weapons security agency moving apps to cloud

The National Nuclear Security Administration tells Congress it has more ideas for hybrid cloud platforms on its secure enterprise network.

Cybersecurity

Regulators pressed on Chinese gear in energy supply chain

A House panel grilled energy regulators about the presence of Huawei and ZTE gear in power providers' operations.

Cybersecurity

House focuses on cybersecurity R&D in energy spending bill

The House Appropriations Committee approved a series of cybersecurity-related research and development initiatives that are designed to tighten up protection to the electric grid and other energy systems.

Modernization

GAO: cloud saved agencies $300 million, but data is incomplete

Agencies are investing more in cloud and saving hundreds of millions of dollars as a result — but cloud investments still only represent a fraction of government IT purchases, and data on their cost and savings is far from complete.

Digital Government

Perry promises continued support for supercomputing

Budget cuts and the proposed elimination of ARPA-E do not alter the administration's commitment to advanced computing, Energy Secretary Perry told a congressional panel.

Modernization

DOE cyber arm preps risk management tool

The tool coming from the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response will quantify what cybersecurity spending delivers in terms of risk management.