Modernization
DHS official: Cloud fuels progress
CTO Michael Hermus says the cloud "represents endless opportunity" for DHS and other federal agencies because it shifts the focus from infrastructure to mission-oriented services.
Cybersecurity
White House policy defines cyber roles
A new presidential policy directive clarifies the responsibilities of federal law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in responding to significant cyber incidents.
Digital Government
Interior seeks to 'geofence' wildfires
The Interior Department has unveiled a prototype app to keep private drones from interfering with aerial firefighting efforts.
Acquisition
GSA needs to keep a sharper eye on reseller prices
GSA's inspector general says the agency must do a better job of ensuring the government receives competitive pricing from resellers, which often charge different prices on different contracts.
Modernization
Afghan IT sector growing, with federal investment
The information and communications technology sector in warn-torn Afghanistan is growing with U.S. help, but tracing agencies' exact investments is not easy.
Modernization
DNA data storage capabilities hold promise for federal agencies
DNA-based data storage technologies could be a more secure answer for federal agencies' encrypted data, according to researchers.
Acquisition
Bill would extend civilian contractor whistleblower protections
New legislation would protect personal service contractors and subcontractors who report waste, fraud and abuse.
Modernization
How states can opt out of FirstNet
States are getting an early look at what they might have to do to opt out of a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for first responders.
Modernization
Are U.S. chemical plants ready for cyberattacks?
A top DHS official said the coordinated cyberattack on the Ukrainian power grid last year should be a wake-up call for critical infrastructure providers in the U.S.
Digital Government
Congress worries that virtual monsters are eating up data
House Democrats want assurances that the wildly popular Pokemon Go app is consuming the data of unsuspecting mobile consumers.
Digital Government
Marines could see secure handhelds by 2019
A new program will provide rugged secure handheld smart devices to Marines.
Digital Government
GSA's Schedule 70 drills in on health IT
As federal health care agencies' spending on IT continues to rise, GSA gives health IT a dedicated Special Item Number on its largest, most-used contract.
Cybersecurity
VA picks NASA executive for CISO slot
Senior NASA IT manager Roopangi Kadakia will take over the top IT security job at the Department of Veterans Affairs, FCW has learned.
Cybersecurity
DHS asks industry about cyberthreats to mobility
The Science and Technology Directorate at DHS is tapping industry for clues to the mobile cyberthreat landscape.
Digital Government
Watchdog: DOD's infrastructure push needs scope
The Pentagon's push toward a common IT infrastructure lacks workforce planning and other management details, including a more precise scope, according to a new GAO report.
Modernization
White House backs $400M push for 5G research
The Advanced Wireless Research Initiative, led by NSF, will sow the seeds for next-generation wireless services in the U.S. by setting up research networks to experiment with applications.
Cybersecurity
New ransomware rips and runs
A new kind of ransomware deletes computer files rather than decrypt and return them after victims pay up.
Digital Government
Justice Department putting smart guns to the test
The National Institute of Justice is conducting a smart gun technology challenge and asking for feedback on ways such tech could be integrated into federal law enforcement firearms.
Digital Government
Chinese businessman sentenced in military contractor hack
A federal judge has sentenced a Chinese national who admitted to being part of a years-long conspiracy to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors.
Cybersecurity