Digital Government
Cloud Security
Federal agencies are rethinking how they secure information as they move more mission-critical operations to the cloud.
People
Biden team pledges help for 'damaged' federal workforce
Pam Coleman, the director for performance management at the Office of Management and Budget, said that, "each week we seem to uncover more damage" done to the federal workforce under the Trump administration.
Modernization
DISA Tech Programs Paved the Way for DOD Mass Telework
Two Defense Department officials pointed to culture as a key challenge counteracting innovation.
Cybersecurity
Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020
State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.
Modernization
DOD Secured Fair Prices Despite Rapid Shift to Mass Telework, Audit Finds
The department also was able to reduce cybersecurity risks as it bought IT products and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an inspector general report concluded.
Digital Government
Consumer Product Safety Commission Employees Want to Telework at Least Twice Per Week Post-Pandemic
Commission staff and leadership report higher productivity during mass telework and more benefits than drawbacks.
People
DOD orders leaders to address extremism
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directs commanding officers and supervisors to hold a "stand down" discussion on extremism in the next 60 days.
Digital Government
Survey: Majority of Senior Executives Feel Burned Out
Overall, more than one in three feds attribute burnout to COVID-19 circumstances.
Modernization
Agencies feel IT staff shortages from Trump administration hiring freezes
Trump administration hiring freezes have been causing a strain on federal agencies trying to cope with the demands put on IT staff because of telework.
Digital Government
White House Directs Agencies to Revise Their Pandemic Plans
The “paramount concern is the health and safety of all federal employees, on-site contractors, and individuals interacting with the federal workforce,” OMB said.
People
OPM says federal employee job satisfaction is up
Full results of the delayed Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey won't be out until the spring, according to the Office of Personnel Management, but a preliminary look at topline results suggests federal employee job satisfaction is improving.
Digital Government
Smithsonian Seeks Lead for Broad Swath of Digital Transformation Efforts
The position is based out of the Washington, D.C. headquarters but is open for applicants teleworking from anywhere in the U.S.
Ideas
2020 Retrospective: Nowhere Left to Hide for Digital 'Have-Nots'
The events of this year brought the realities of digital transformation into sharp relief: Public sector agencies are divided into “haves” and “have-nots”—and the “have-nots” cannot put off digital transformation any longer.
Ideas
6 Lessons From 2020 Federal Leaders Should Apply in the Months to Come
As the embers of the dumpster fire that was 2020 burn away, important lessons provide light for the way forward in 2021.
Ideas
How to Solve Inefficient Meetings Through Existing Technology
Even small process improvements can make internal staff meetings run better.
Ideas
How to Help Dogs and Cats Manage Separation Anxiety when Their Humans Return to Work
A change in routine is a major cause of separation anxiety for both dogs and cats.
Digital Government
The Tech Policies the Trump Administration Leaves Behind
Nextgov looks back at the Trump administration's major IT policy moves that will have lasting effects on federal technology for the foreseeable future.
Ideas
The Invisible Impact of the Pandemic on Data Security: Why 2021 Will Be Different
The tough reality is that attackers usually move faster than we do.
People