Cybersecurity
GAO rejects bid by DHS to rescind opinion on illegal appointments
The Government Accountability Office is sticking to its guns on its legal opinion that states that top officials at the Department Homeland Security were elevated in violation of federal law.
People
How DOD is updating its online education systems
As the pandemic increases the need for online learning, the Defense Department's chief management officer pushes change.
Acquisition
Extend Section 3610 of the CARES Act
Without an extension to the legislation that compensates federal contractors unable to work because of pandemic-related facility closures, more people would lose their jobs, more companies could fold and the government could lose access to highly experienced and skilled members of their workforce who are critical to supporting national security, defense and other federal mission areas.
Cybersecurity
GAO: DHS acting secretary, top deputy were appointed illegally
Top acting officials at DHS were appointed without regard for laws in place governing agency succession, according to a Government Accountability Office legal opinion.
People
AFGE touts Harris veep pick
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has a long record supporting federal union issues and looking to check the power of government and private sector tech surveillance.
People
Why DOD's diversity problem can't be solved with numbers
Janice Glover-Jones, the Defense Intelligence Agency's chief diversity, equality and inclusion officer, said that diversity has to be more than compliance and "promote inclusive behaviors."
Modernization
Senate bill would extend full-time federal telework for duration of COVID emergency
The bill also would steer Technology Modernization Fund dollars to agency efforts to improve telework activities.
Modernization
Top secret telework 'is not a thing'
The National Security Agency is expanding its use of Microsoft Office 365 to support unclassified telework
People
Federal court dismisses union complaint about workplace 'resistance' talk
The American Federation of Government Employees had complained an Office of Special Counsel advisory was chilling federal employees' speech.
People
SecDef: 'Murder of George Floyd was a wakeup call'
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he's heard similar stories from service members across the branches, which spurred DOD to stand up three initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion.
Acquisition
Trump fires TVA chairman over IT outsourcing
The federally owned power company is rethinking plans to fire its internal IT staff and shift to managed services in light of Trump's intervention and a new executive order on federal contracting.
Cybersecurity
CISA chief wants younger, more experienced hackers in federal government
Professional experience and credentials don't have the same importance in cybersecurity, where teenagers can hack governments and multi-billion-dollar corporations.
Modernization
AI's true benefit for government
Productivity projections assume that federal workers and executives are widely empowered to make the most of the new AI tools at their disposal, but at present, this is not the case.
People
Senate bill seeks oversight of telework, PPE for the federal workforce
A group of Senate Democrats is proposing legislation to create labor-management task forces inside government to review pandemic-related workforce policies.
Modernization
Could a new academy solve the AI talent problem?
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence is recommending a new academy to train feds to take on federal agency jobs involving emerging technologies including AI.
Cybersecurity
With furloughs looming, union pleads for deal on USCIS funding
The immigration agency is seeking $1.2 billion to keep employees working through an anticipated financial shortfall it links to the pandemic.
People
Senior execs group pushes OPM re-org
As part of a plan to revitalize federal employment, the Senior Executives Association is looking to take the government's top human resources official out of the political fray with a 5- to 8-year appointment.
People
Does the White House need a new risk management chief?
Recommendations from an ACT-IAC paper for the next presidential term include a chief risk management officer based at the Office of Management and Budget.
People
Mixed success for House Democrats looking to parry Trump's workforce initiatives
The proposed elimination of the Office of Personnel Management as an independent agency appears to be on hold indefinitely, but executive orders and agency relocations have altered the federal workforce landscape.
Cybersecurity