Digital Government

OPM Cuts Security Clearance Backlog in Half, But Processing Delays Spell Trouble for Pentagon

The National Background Investigations Bureau is barreling through the backlog of clearance applications as the Defense Department prepares to take over the function in October.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Propose Bills to Secure Connected Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The legislation would set “reasonable” security measures for the numerous IT systems that power our increasingly connected vehicles.

Cybersecurity

Protecting Election Systems Will Take Much More Federal Money, Report Says

The threat of foreign interference in U.S. elections remains, so the federal government must help state and local officials shore up defenses, according to a new report from the Brennan Center for Justice.

Emerging Tech

We Were Promised Moon Cities

It’s been 50 years since Apollo 11 put humans on the surface of the moon. Why didn’t we stay and build a more permanent lunar base? Lots of reasons.

Cybersecurity

CISA Explains Why Enterprise Approach To Security is Gamechanging

The agency’s assistant director for cybersecurity highlighted multiple aims and accomplishments.

Modernization

House Republicans to Trump: Stay Out of Pentagon Cloud Acquisition

Four members of the House Armed Services Committee asked Trump to let the Pentagon award its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract without delay.

Digital Government

Survey: Five in Six HHS Employees May Consider Leaving if Telework is Restricted

Department has stripped telework provisions from its union contract, and is expected to require employees to commute at least four days per week.

Modernization

Pentagon Will Default To Trusting Other Agencies’ Cloud Security Assessments

The department has had success reusing other agencies’ authorizations and will make reciprocity the rule rather than the exception.

Policy

Trump’s Tax Law Threatened TurboTax’s Profits. So the Company Started Charging the Disabled, the Unemployed and Students.

The move by TurboTax maker Intuit to charge more lower-income customers has helped boost revenue.

Cybersecurity

Census Chief Assures Lawmakers IT and Cyber Risks are Under Control

But with less than a year until the 2020 count kicks off, the bureau still has little room for error, the Government Accountability Office warns.

Digital Government

High-Level Vacancies Are Weakening Agency Management and Oversight, Lawmaker Says

Rep. Gerry Connolly’s comments marked the release of a bipartisan report recommending ways agencies can deliver better on their missions.

Artificial Intelligence

The Pentagon Releases Its 5-Year Digital Modernization Strategy 

Officials outlined plans to drive innovation, streamline IT acquisitions and build a more agile and resilient cyber posture.

Emerging Tech

Why Electric Scooters Companies Are Getting Serious About Safety

Lime has joined rival Bird in establishing a safety advisory board tasked with helping the e-scooter industry shape local regulations—and shake its risky reputation.

Digital Government

Trump Nominates Acting CMO To Be Third In Line at Pentagon

Lisa Hershman has been nominated to officially take over the role after more than seven months as acting chief management officer.

Policy

Bipartisan Legislation Targets Chinese Firm Huawei

Congress wants to up its authority on emerging tech threats from China.

Digital Government

House Passes Defense Policy Bill with Provision to Block OPM-GSA Merger

The must-pass legislation also includes amendments granting paid family leave and protecting feds’ health insurance during shutdowns.

Modernization

Court Rules in Favor of Pentagon in JEDI Lawsuit

The ruling against Oracle clears the way for the government to award the contract in August to Microsoft or Amazon Web Services.