Author Archive
Aaron Boyd
Senior Editor, Nextgov

Aaron Boyd is an award-winning journalist currently serving as senior editor for technology and events at Nextgov. He primarily covers federal government IT contracting and cybersecurity issues affecting both civilian and defense agencies. As a lifelong nerd and policy wonk, he feels right at home covering the intersection of technology and policy in the nation's capital.
CIO Briefing
CIO Roundup: Here Are the Government’s Top Tech Chiefs So Far
Most agency chief information officers are career officials so it's steady ahead but vacancies left by appointees need to be filled.
- By Aaron Boyd
Policy
Biden Orders Agencies to Buy More American-Made Products and Publicly Post Exemptions
The order seeks to close existing loopholes and creates a new oversight regime, including a GSA-hosted website to post waivers publicly.
- By Aaron Boyd
Data
Dashboard Offers Data on Agency Hiring Processes and Lack of Objective Assessments
Federal hiring managers are asking applicants whether they’re qualified for open positions but aren’t getting hard data to back that up.
- By Aaron Boyd
CIO Briefing
Biden’s Wave of COVID-19 Executive Orders Relies On Data To Implement
While technology is not the main focus of the pandemic response plan, collecting and disseminating more data is a recurring theme.
- By Aaron Boyd
CIO Briefing
Presidential Inauguration Includes a Digital Transition
Websites and social media accounts made the transition along with presidential power, with the new administration making its mark right away.
- By Aaron Boyd
CIO Briefing
Presidential Transition Means CIO Turnover At Some Agencies, Too
Come inauguration, nearly a third of department-level CIO positions will need new occupants.
- By Aaron Boyd
IT Modernization
Biden-Harris Admin Proposes $10B in New IT and Cyber Funding for Federal Agencies
The administration wants to add $9 billion to the Technology Modernization Fund and give CISA a boost.
- By Aaron Boyd
Emerging Tech
GSA Awards $800M Contract to Support Internal Use of Emerging Tech
While the General Services Administration usually works on helping other agencies buy emerging technologies, the new DIGIT contract looks to support internal modernization efforts.
- By Aaron Boyd
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: SolarWinds Shares Details on How Attackers Inserted Backdoor
Here are the news and updates you may have missed.
- By Heather Kuldell and Aaron Boyd
Cybersecurity
GSA to Remove Almost All Drones from Contract Offerings Over China Concerns
By Feb. 1, all but five unmanned aerial vehicles will be removed from the General Services Administration’s offerings.
- By Aaron Boyd
IT Modernization
Trump Admin Names Fourth and Final Shared Services Lead
The Office of Management and Budget designated the Quality Service Management Office lead for grants administration.
- By Aaron Boyd
CIO Briefing
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.
- By Aaron Boyd
Cybersecurity
Capitol Riot Opens Congress to Potential IT Compromise
Experts weigh in on the IT security implications after violent rioters stormed Congressional offices, gaining access to unsecured computers and stealing devices.
- By Aaron Boyd
Cybersecurity
Trump Executive Order Attempts to Ban 8 More Chinese Apps
The move adds more Chinese companies—including three payment apps—to a list that already included TikTok and WeChat.
- By Aaron Boyd
IT Modernization
HHS Websites Will Get Customer Experience Scores in 2021
As part of the updated digital strategy, Health and Human Services Department program offices will be getting graded on a “CX scale.”
- By Aaron Boyd
Emerging Tech
GSA Releases Draft of New Government IT Services Contract Polaris
The draft request for proposals focuses on IT services and emerging technology offerings from three classes of small business.
- By Aaron Boyd
IT Modernization
IG: Last Major CBP System Outage Caused By Code Defect Known for 2 Years
The customs agency could have avoided an August 2019 system outage—and hours of delays for travelers—with better patch management and employee training on backup procedures.
- By Aaron Boyd
CIO Briefing
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.
- By Aaron Boyd
Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need
The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.
- By Aaron Boyd
IT Modernization
CISA Releases Draft Use Case For Securing Remote, Mobile and Teleworking Connections
The cybersecurity agency wants feedback on how to secure remote users under the Trusted Internet Connection 3 policy.
- By Aaron Boyd