FCW Insider: September 7, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
House infrastructure bill includes over $3 billion for federal tech
Under an amendment from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the Technology Modernization Fund could see another $1 billion in capitalization.
Comment: It's time for government tech to address inequities in service delivery
Civil servants and vendors have traditionally approached government software with a mindset that has created administrative burdens – a confusing online application can stand in the way of someone getting healthcare, food assistance and unemployment insurance.
What makes hackathons work
Steve Kelman share recent research on how successful hackathon teams turn out functioning products.
ICYMI: Federal managers seek hard info on COVID-19 testing plans
In a letter sent to administration officials Thursday, the Government Managers Coalition flagged concerns that agencies and managers are ill-prepared to roll out the administration's COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for feds.
Quick Hits
*** An apparent conflict of interest on the part of the winning company led the Government Accountability Office to recommend the U.S. Navy conduct an independent review of the requirements for its $500 million Next Generation Jammer contract. Washington Technology has more on this story.
*** Internet-of-things devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks, not just because of misconfigurations or weak passwords, but also because of their extensive use of third-party code. A new study out of Carnegie Mellon University spotlighted in a GCN story explains how a new software architecture can protect against vulnerabilities in shared code libraries.