Emerging Tech

Lawmaker Proposes Federal Institute of Technology and New Contracting Set-Aside

The 21st Century Jobs Package would create a federal agency for training the workforce of the future and incentivize federal contracting officials to buy from vendors who hire rural American workers.

Digital Government

Agencies to Have Wide Latitude In Deciding Which Jobs to Strip of Civil Service Protections

OPM issued initial instructions Friday for implementing a Trump executive order that allows federal policy-making positions to be converted from career jobs to at-will appointments.

Digital Government

Governance Experts Assail White House Effort to Strip Federal Employees of Rights

Good government groups, unions and lawmakers were nearly unanimous in their scorching criticism of an executive order that could strip protections for hundreds of thousands and politicize the federal workforce.

Digital Government

‘Stunning’ Executive Order Would Politicize Civil Service

President Trump signs directive that will potentially pull thousands of federal employees in "policy-making" positions out of the competitive service, making them at-will employees.

Emerging Tech

Report: Establish CTOs in Every National Security Agency

A Center for American Progress report outlines what the next administration should do to improve foreign policy and national security in its first 100 days.

Modernization

Most Federal Workers Expect to Telework at Least Three Days per Week in the Future, Survey Says

But securing and managing the information technology that enables work from home is a top challenge during the pandemic, respondents indicated.

Policy

Trump Administration Develops Governmentwide Office Reopening Guidelines, With Contractor Help

Masks, distancing and sensors to track employee movement are all part of GSA’s non-binding coronavirus recommendations.

Ideas

Stop the IT Blame Game

Agencies need visibility for the right people at the right time.

Digital Government

Social Security Administration CIO to Depart

SSA’s assistant deputy commissioner will assume the role beginning Oct. 26.

Cybersecurity

NSA Launches Diversity Initiative to Grow Bench of Job-Ready Cybersecurity Talent

Historically Black Colleges and Universities are in the political spotlight as policy makers describe deep benefits to expanding and diversifying the cybersecurity workforce.

Digital Government

Watchdog: White VA Employees Twice as Likely to Be Promoted as Black Workers

The American Federation of Government Employees said Thursday that new data it obtained via the Freedom of Information Act underscores its allegations of systemic racism pervading the Veterans Affairs Department.

Digital Government

GPO Employees Overwhelmingly Satisfied With Leadership, IT Support During COVID-19 Telework

Employees gave their agency very high marks but asked for clarity about essential onsite work and use of personal IT equipment.

Ideas

Teachers Play a Critical Role in Shaping Girls' Future as Coders

Educators need to be aware of their own implicit biases that can lead to differences in how they recognize what girls can do in coding.

Ideas

The Chinese MSS Is Attacking Us with Our Own Tools

Here’s how to get ahead of the adversary with integrated cyber defenses.

Digital Government

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional

Legislation requiring workers, including federal employees and military service members, to consent in writing to have their Social Security taxes deferred between now and the end of the year has the support of nearly 20 employee groups.