Acquisition
OMB plans Digital Service to improve IT delivery
Tech professionals would serve in government for two- to four-year rotations on a full-time basis, possibly supplemented with private sector professionals pitching in a given project for a month at a time.
Digital Government
Exit interview: Joseph Klimavicz
The outgoing NOAA CIO says that of the many innovations he has led at the agency, a recently unveiled big data plan is the "most out of the box" -- and he is sorry he won't be around to see it through as he heads to the Justice Department.
People
Senate appropriators signal support for IT reform
Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel said there is room for "policy and discussions" around expanded agency CIO authorities, but expressed concern that legislation might fail to take into account unforeseen future circumstances.
Modernization
FirstNet CIO builds up his shop
Jim Gwinn says he enjoys the feel of operating in what is essentially a high-tech startup inside government.
Digital Government
Patient data the next IT frontier at VA
The VHA’s Kathleen Frisbee predicts that patient-generated data will swamp electronic health records in terms of volume.
Digital Government
NOAA on target for polar satellite launch, says agency chief
A gap in polar satellite coverage could still occur, and there is no agency estimate on how long it might last.
People
Obama taps IRS vet for OMB controller post
Arthur Mader is currently senior vice president for strategy and organization at Booz Allen.
People
Holgate to stay on at ACT
Casey Coleman’s move to the private sector scuttled the American Council for Technology’s succession plans.
Digital Government
White House expands data protections to non-citizens
The change comes out of the 90-day review of federal privacy rules as they relate to big data.
Digital Government
House seeks details on VA's health record push
Three-fourths of agency's IT funding would be contingent on Congress getting a granular explanation of the plan for VistA.
Digital Government
Science council approves big-data privacy report
“Technology alone can't reduce privacy risks,” says computer science professor Susan Graham, one of the authors of a White House report on big data. “There has to be policy as well.”
Digital Government
Data Act sponsors look to implementation
Key backers say they will hold OMB's "feet to the fire" to ensure the agency lives up to the measure's requirements.
Digital Government
Data Act sent to president
The House passed the spending transparency legislation easily, as the Senate did earlier, but it's not clear what the White House position is.
Digital Government
Big data policy preview reveals equity concerns
“We need to pay careful attention to what unexpected outcomes the use of big data might lead to, and how to remedy any unintended discrimination or inequality that may result," according to presidential advisor John Podesta, who is heading up a White House policy review.
Digital Government
Intel probes the private-sector side of open government data
A common thread of the various projects is that they look at social or business problems addressed by large-scale institutions and look to disrupt them through crowdsourcing and data.
Cybersecurity
Which agencies reward innovation?
Federal workers lack confidence that their employers will support efforts at innovation, says a new report from the Partnership for Public Service.
Acquisition
IBM gears up for Pentagon health push
With a major electronic health records procurement looming, IBM is growing its federal health IT footprint.
Digital Government
NSA document details foreign intel databases
The intelligence agency delves into some details about how it collects, stores and accesses data but leaves many key questions unanswered.
Modernization
Why government social media is different
Federal social media accounts can't target influential users to make messages go viral because of Privacy Act restrictions, can't buy followers, and typically don't throw money at promoting posts through advertising.
Cybersecurity