Digital Government
New email records policy takes shape
A presidential directive requires agencies to manage email records in electronic form by the end of 2016, and the National Archives' plan to hit the goal is almost in final form.
Modernization
Five critter cams to go dark at the National Zoo
The cameras to be shut down run on the Windows Server 2003 operating system, which goes out of support in July.
Cybersecurity
VA reports success in thwarting infiltration of networked medical devices
The VA has about 65,000 medical devices on its network, and they are especially vulnerable to malware because they can last for years longer than their underlying software and operating systems.
Cybersecurity
FBI delayed privacy protection rules for Section 215 data, says IG
An IG report asserts that it should not "have taken 7 years … to develop minimization procedures" to protect the privacy of data.
Cybersecurity
Comey: Industry letter on encryption is 'depressing'
The FBI director said a head-on collision is coming between privacy and public safety.
People
IT a big reason Congress is pondering a private air traffic control system
While the safety record of the FAA-operated air traffic control system leads the world, stakeholders are concerned about the slow pace of technological upgrades.
Modernization
Survey: 'Always-on' mindset slow to penetrate government
A new survey of federal IT professionals found that 51 percent need a day or more to find and fix app performance problems.
Modernization
Tech firms, privacy advocates push White House on encryption
A group that includes Google, Apple and Microsoft wants the Obama administration to drop efforts to provide law enforcement with access to encrypted communications.
Digital Government
Police Data Initiative aims to 'increase transparency'
Two goals of the Police Data Initiative are to enhance interoperability of systems and make it easier to extract useful insights from collected data.
Digital Government
Dump-DUNS caucus weighs in on the Data Act
The federal government uses the proprietary DUNS identifier to code financial transactions, but with Data Act implementation in full swing, open-data advocates are pushing to go open source.
Digital Government
A few agencies need to up their game on records
All agencies are required to designate a senior official at the assistant secretary level to oversee records management policy, but not all have.
Modernization
Commerce will likely have to extend IANA contract
An ambitious deadline to transition U.S. control over a key piece of global Internet architecture to an international multi-stakeholder group will likely not be met.
Digital Government
ITIF: Congress needs to support federal data policy
The authors of a new report have a slate of 11 recommendations for Congress to modernize its data posture.
Digital Government
Open Internet controversy could imperil FCC IT modernization
In aiming to curtail any "net neutrality" proposals, appropriators might nick the agency's IT spending.
Cybersecurity
Spy gadgets, transparency and 800 monkeys
Robert Litt, general counsel for the ODNI, argues that Congress and the courts have a say on intelligence policy, but not on the tech used to implement it.
Digital Government
Senators look for answers on FOIA reform, Clinton emails
Legislation can accomplish only so much when up against "an instinct of secrecy," says Sen. Chuck Grassley.
People
Council makes her case to take over tech at VA
LaVerne H. Council outlined her leadership style and plans to manage the VA's $4.2 billion in annual tech spending.
People
White House digital strategist steps down
Nate Lubin also worked on the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns.
Cybersecurity
Thune seeks answers on White House cyber breach
The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee wants to know if any personal or policy information was stolen.
Cybersecurity