Modernization
Federal CIO: Diversity, Accessibility Are Key to Improving Customer Experience
A diverse workforce and focus on accessibility will be central to administration’s efforts to improve customer experience.
Digital Government
Questions Linger on Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors
More guidance is expected to be released on September 24.
Modernization
The Unemployment Insurance System Is Set to Get a Tech Makeover — but It Needs Much More, the Biden Administration Says
The U.S. Digital Service has embarked on a reconstruction that will cover the entire UI system, according to a memo and presentation obtained by ProPublica.
Policy
Big Tech Under Scrutiny as White House Looks to Align Policy Approach with Europe
Lawmakers are also trying to beef up resources for domestic privacy and cybersecurity enforcement at an emboldened Federal Trade Commission.
Digital Government
White House Makes Major Updates to Customer Experience Guidance
Equity, a Biden administration priority, has been included in the government’s expanded definition of customer experience.
Digital Government
Biden to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations for All Feds
The executive order, slated to be announced Thursday, would remove exceptions that allowed federal workers and contractors to remain unvaccinated if they agreed to regular testing for COVID-19.
Ideas
‘Get Out Now’ – Inside the White House on 9/11, According to the Staffers Who Were There
A top White House aide to President George W. Bush recounts what 9/11 was like for White House staffers.
Digital Government
Biden Formalizes Plan for Average 2.7% Raise for Civilian Feds in 2022
The White House published an alternative pay plan for the federal workforce providing a 2.2% across the board raise along with an average increase of 0.5% to locality pay.
Cybersecurity
White House Tasks NIST with Producing Another Cybersecurity Framework
The administration touted private-sector commitments to improve cybersecurity through training and design.
Cybersecurity
DHS Launching First Federal Civilian Position Exempt from Longevity Requirements
The Cyber Talent Management System has been in the works since a 2014 law granted the department authorities to sidestep rigid classification formats such as the General Schedule.
Cybersecurity
White House Announcements to Focus on Advancing Cybersecurity Talent
Commitments are also expected from the public and private sectors for improving the security of foundational technology.
Digital Government
What Still Needs to Happen for Feds to Get a Pay Raise Next Year
President Biden has until the end of this month to formally announce his plan to give federal workers an average 2.7% pay raise in 2022.
Digital Government
GSA’s First Centers of Excellence Customer Touts $50M in Cost Avoidance
After three years, the Agriculture Department launched a cloud office, consolidated contact centers and stood up more than a hundred dashboards.
Artificial Intelligence
AI Research Infrastructure Task Force Needs Input on ‘Democratizing’ Resources
The group is developing an implementation plan for how the U.S. could increase access to artificial intelligence research resources.
Podcasts
Critical Update: How Federal Agencies Can Help Avert Quantum Catastrophe
The White House is working on plans to roll out new cryptographic systems that will require epic levels of funding from Congress and coordination, both within the government and in partnership with industry.
Digital Government
Agencies Struggle to Implement Mass Testing for Unvaccinated Feds
The Biden administration is requiring at least weekly COVID-19 testing for the unvaccinated, but the White House has offered few details about how that will happen.
Cybersecurity
The White House Is Deciding Whether to Support a Bureau of Cyber Statistics
A key senator introduced a bill containing one of the more controversial recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Digital Government
Biden Announces Vaccine-or-Masks Mandate for Feds, Some Contractors
Federal employees will have a choice: get vaccinated, or wear masks when indoors at federal facilities and subject themselves to regular COVID-19 testing.
Cybersecurity
White House Asks CISA, NIST to Set Performance Goals for Critical Infrastructure Operators
The initiative will not result in mandatory measures for the private sector, but the administration hopes to signal its commitment to cybersecurity and maybe get a little help from Congress on that front.
Cybersecurity