Modernization

DHS pushes agencywide cloud buying plan

The Department of Homeland Security is building a cloud acquisition strategy to allow its many components to buy secure cloud services from CSPs and resellers.

Cybersecurity

FITARA: The view from inside agencies

The front-line leaders implementing FITARA say that centralizing IT acquisitions takes coordination and focus -- as well as executive-level support.

Cybersecurity

OMB preps cyber sprint follow-up

The pending Cyber Security Implementation Plan from OMB could lean on key programs such as Einstein 3A and Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation.

Acquisition

GSA's fast lane is open for business

GSA Advantage Select, a quick way for agencies to order commodity hardware, is up and running, officials say.

People

Why FITARA is more about management than IT

As agencies work to comply with new IT acquisition law, federal CIO Tony Scott says the big question marks are about management, not technical IT issues.

Digital Government

FAA aims to have drone registration in place by Christmas

The government is getting serious about violations of protected airspace by privately owned drones, and is planning new rules to back the effort.

Modernization

OMB bars new desktop, laptop contracts

The White House is pushing a plan to restrict the buying of office computers to a few key contracts to keep prices down.

Modernization

GSA issues RFP for EIS telecom contract

The wait is over: After years of preparation, the government's $50 billion telecom RFP has hit the street.

Cybersecurity

Fed employee, service member IDs hacked, given to ISIS

The U.S. is blaming a shadowy foreign hacker for sharing stolen data on more than 1,000 feds and U.S. service members with Islamic State militants.

Cybersecurity

How FITARA helps federal CIOs straddle IT and finance roles

Being an effective CIO means mastering multiple disciplines. Four CIOs new to their posts explain the demands of the role, and how new rules strengthen the CIO's hand in federal organizations.

Cybersecurity

Commerce seeks to widen acceptance of cyber framework

An FCC official told a telecom audience that though adherence is voluntary, it's in companies' best interest to participate in the framework.

Acquisition

EHSS looks for IT help

The Department of Energy is seeking a single source of application and infrastructure support for a host of small agencies under the DoE umbrella.

Cybersecurity

Name change, new org chart feature in NPPD reorg

A key DHS component plans to combine protection of cyber and physical infrastructure.

Digital Government

Cobert: Customer-facing services require finesse

OPM's bid to notify feds whose info was compromised is an early test of the administration's renewed focus on customer service.

Cybersecurity

Senate to tackle CISA after mid-October break

After a summer of delays, an information sharing bill appears poised to move in the Senate.

Cybersecurity

Do air gaps protect nuke power plant systems?

Industrial control systems at nuclear power plants are typically isolated from the Internet, but there are potential bridges for hackers to beat such "air gaps."

Acquisition

Challenge.gov keeps eyes on the prize

At age 5, Challenge.gov is opening doors to the federal market for problem solvers, but it may never be a vehicle for large-scale IT projects.

Cybersecurity

New bill looks to NIST, FTC for cyber hygiene

A senior House Democrat proposes that federal agencies offer cyber best practices for use by government, private firms, and individuals.

Modernization

$50B federal telecom RFP coming in mid-October

The General Services Administration's Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract will anchor the agency's NS 2020 telecommunications strategy.

Modernization

DHS seeks smarter smart cards

An RFI for personal identity verification card technology and integration follows a summer of cybersecurity concerns and PIV testing across the federal government.