Emerging Tech

Two Years into the Government’s National Quantum Initiative

An Office of Science and Technology Policy official offered a look back on what’s unfolded—and a glimpse into what’s to come.

Digital Government

OPM Proposes Prioritizing Job Performance Over Tenure in Layoffs

Officials at the Office of Personnel Management are seeking to finalize a provision of President Trump’s controversial workforce executive orders before he leaves office.

Cybersecurity

Massive Hack Roundup: Microsoft Says Breach 'Not Espionage as Usual'

Here are the news and updates you may have missed.

Cybersecurity

House Committees Launch Investigation into Alleged Russian Hack of Federal Agencies

President-elect Joe Biden also promised to elevate cybersecurity “as an imperative” across government.

Digital Government

Inauguration a Holiday for D.C.-Area Feds, Even Those Teleworking Due to COVID-19

The quadrennial bonus day off will still apply to capital region feds in 2021 even though many are not commuting to the office.

Policy

White House Launches Plan for a Nuclear Power System on the Moon

It follows other space-centered proposals from the Trump administration—and might not be the last. 

Ideas

Why the New Administration Needs Federal Industrial Strategists

Smart strategy will require smart strategists who know the government’s policy levers and the technology innovation process. 

Cybersecurity

What We Know About the SolarWinds Breach

The White House invoked Presidential Policy Directive-41 to coordinate a "whole of government" response.

Artificial Intelligence

What Trump’s Order on Trustworthy AI Might Mean for Agencies

Experts say it’s a step in the right direction, but the coming months will determine its ultimate impacts. 

Digital Government

Federal Employees to Get a Full Day Off on Christmas Eve

President Trump issues an executive order that breaks with recent precedent by granting vacation for all of Dec. 24, rather than a half-day.

Digital Government

How Dozens of Trump’s Political Appointees Will Stay in Government After Biden Takes Over

Documents show that officials appointed by Trump who’d otherwise lose their jobs under Biden have been approved for permanent positions in federal agencies.

Cybersecurity

Krebs Unloads About Trump’s Election-Fraud Claims

In the fallout from being fired, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is concerned about how his experience will affect the recruitment of future leaders.

Digital Government

CISA Director Fired After Challenging President's Baseless Election Claims

After helping to keep the election secure from hackers, the CISA director turned to refuting the baseless claims of the president.

Modernization

Trump Administration to Name OPM’s Basil Parker as Federal CIO  

The chief of staff and IT and cybersecurity workforce adviser will be appointed to the top IT position in the federal government, according to the White House.

Cybersecurity

Key Senator Denounces Federal CISO’s Investigation of Alleged Voter Fraud

After just a month into his new post, Camilo Sandoval is on a break to help the Trump campaign.

Digital Government

Acting Federal CIO Has Been in the Job for Months, OMB Confirms

Even some federal IT officials who work closely with the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer weren’t aware that Michael Rigas has been serving as acting Federal CIO for months.

Policy

Biden’s Top Priorities Offer Few Clues for Technology Policies

Washington policy experts believe President-elect Joe Biden’s approach to big tech companies and regulation may differ from both the Trump and Obama administrations.

Digital Government

Rolling Back Trump Workforce Policies Won’t Be As Simple As Rescinding Executive Orders

President-elect Biden has vowed to rescind on his first day a series of Trump-era directives aimed at weakening federal labor unions and politicizing the civil service, but repairing the damage could take much longer.

Digital Government

GSA Holds the Key to When or If Biden Gets Access to Full Transition Resources

With President Trump’s campaign threatening lawsuits, it is unclear when GSA would grant access to full transition resources.