Modernization

Software bug caused CBP airport system outage

A computer system outage that led to long passenger lines at international airports across the country on Aug. 19 was caused by a software bug, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Digital Government

Windows 7 woes crash into 2020 election cycle

Financial, technical and bureaucratic hurdles are making it more difficult for states to patch their election-related software and move on from an expiring Windows operating system.

Ideas

Accelerating Cloud Computing in Government Requires New Management Approach

CIOs must swap magic for real insights on what and how cloud technologies benefit to their agency.

Cybersecurity

Report: Code Responsible for Equifax Breach Downloaded 21 Million Times Last Year

The situation highlights the challenge of securing open source software, which underlies virtually every IT system in government.

Acquisition

Defense bill calls for DOD to fast-track certain software buys

A provision in the defense bill moving through the House of Representatives calls for the Pentagon to authorize a new fast track for software acquisition, with an eye to upgrading vulnerable weapons systems.

Modernization

$733 billion defense bill passes committee

The House Armed Services Committee debated into the early morning, pushing the 21 hour mark before passing its version of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

Cybersecurity

NIST Asks for Input on Building Secure Software

The draft framework is intended to both instruct developers on building safe tech and help IT buyers, like the government, know which companies they can trust.

Modernization

The President’s Office Is Hiring An App Developer

The single-award contract will cover the entire lifecycle of development and maintenance for all apps used by the Executive Office of the President.

Modernization

Agile development should 'strangle' legacy systems

The Defense Department's software development program paves quicker path to IT system modernization, according to agency's agile initiative leader.

Cybersecurity

Russia’s Would-Be Windows Replacement Gets a Security Upgrade

For sensitive communications, the Russian government aims to replace the ubiquitous Microsoft operating system with a bespoke flavor of Linux, a sign of the country's growing IT independence.

Emerging Tech

The Pentagon Wants to Automate Software Assurance

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working to build tools that determine what security criteria certain systems must meet and check whether they hit that threshold.

Cybersecurity

DOD looks to publish software blacklist

The Defense Department is working with congressional constraints on information it can share with defense industrial base regarding restricted vendors.

Modernization

Army innovation lab experiments with coders on the battlefield

The Army's newly launched Army Applications Laboratory is working to expand ability for soldiers to code in the field to repair communications systems.

Acquisition

DOD looks to unify software spending for 2020

Defense Department acquisition head, Ellen Lord, hopes to simplify software buying and improve business systems following the release of the Defense Innovation Board's final software acquisition study.

Modernization

DOD's AI hub looks to push out new solutions

Defense Department CIO Dana Deasy said the Joint AI Center plans new capabilities for fiscal year 2020.

Modernization

VA Won’t Delay Launch of Private Care Software Tool Despite Reported Flaws

The tech will go live on June 6 even if it’s operating “at 70 percent or 50 percent,” said Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Acquisition

USAF's Kessel Run looks to industry for developers

The Air Force's agile software delivery system wants to expand its employee base, and is turning to industry for more people.