Author Archive
Frank Konkel
Executive Editor, Nextgov

Frank Konkel is Nextgov’s executive editor. He writes about the intersection of government and technology. Frank began covering tech in 2013 upon moving to the Washington, D.C., area after getting his start in journalism working at local and state issues at daily newspapers in his home state of Michigan. Frank was born and raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Michigan State University.
IT Modernization
TTS Aims to Help Rebuild the Public’s Trust of Government
The tech group's director said each time an individual interacts with the government is an opportunity.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
FBI Director Says Extremists Flocking to Encrypted Apps Poses New Challenges
Christopher Wray told lawmakers tech companies are the ones making policies about encryption.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Draft Senate COVID Relief Bill Includes $1B for Technology Modernization Fund
The fund gets a second chance at a boost after a $9 billion proposal didn’t make it to the House-passed bill.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
IG: ‘Tens of Billions’ in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in 2020
A Labor Department Inspector General memo suggests a massive uptick in fraudulent unemployment claims brought on by COVID-19.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick
William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Democratic Lawmakers Call Out TV Companies Over Misinformation Spread
The pair asked cable, satellite and streaming TV companies about conspiracy-related content ahead of a Feb. 24 hearing.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
CISA Names Three Leadership Appointments
CISA announced a new deputy director, executive assistant director for cybersecurity and executive assistant director for infrastructure security.
- By Frank Konkel
Data
Veterans Affairs Rolls Out Ethics Framework for Guarding Vets’ Data
The agency aims to set expectations around who can manage, view and access veteran data.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
GAO Recommends VA Pause EHR Deployment to Resolve Issues
The Veterans Affairs Department told auditors it will move on with deployments while addressing test findings.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
OMB Nominee to Prioritize Efficient, Tech-Savvy Government
Neera Tanden cited cybersecurity as one of her top priorities and pushed for Congress to add to the Technology Modernization Fund.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Senate Requests Intel on Capitol Attack
The lawmakers want timelines and operational details from 22 government agencies and offices leading up to the Jan. 6 breach of the building.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
4 Steps to Deliver a ‘Future Fit’ Technology Strategy
A Forrester report offers suggestions for tech leaders looking to develop a modern tech strategy that allows for emerging technologies.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Federal Cloud Spending Tops $6.6 Billion
It’s the most the federal government has ever spent on cloud computing services.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Survey: Majority of Senior Executives Feel Burned Out
Overall, more than one in three feds attribute burnout to COVID-19 circumstances.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Defense Agencies Can Access Amazon Web Services Cloud Through MilCloud 2.0
The milCloud 2.0 contract offers an expanded suite of cloud offerings and services to defense agencies.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Pentagon Hints It Could Abandon the JEDI Cloud Effort
The department still urgently needs an enterprise cloud and indicates it may consider other options.
- By Frank Konkel and Mila Jasper
CIO Briefing
House Dems Push for $9B for Tech Modernization Fund in Next COVID Package
The funding would come from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
IRS Appoints Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer
The IRS announced its first senior leadership position under the Taxpayer First Act.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
FTC Warns ‘U.S. Trading Commission’ Website Is a Scam
Whoever is behind the site is using the Federal Trade Commission's logo and address.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
IG: DHS Lacks Effective Privacy Oversight
While the agency had six major privacy incidents, the privacy office fell short in numerous areas.
- By Frank Konkel