Emerging Tech

TSA Wants New Ideas to Speed Up Checkpoints

The agency is looking for established technologies that could eliminate physical pat-downs and shoe removals.

Digital Government

Coalition Urges Congress to Boost Funding for Census Modernization

A group of Census experts and data users are asking appropriators to provide $2 billion in funding to the Census Bureau in fiscal 2022.

Ideas

How Design Thinking Can Improve Public Sector IT

With its push to provide faster, more predictable and higher quality software, public sector IT organizations may have discounted the need for design.

Digital Government

Review Board Upholds Facebook’s Ban on Trump—For Now

The board left the decision on whether to ban Trump permanently up to the tech company.

Digital Government

Biden Promised the Most Diverse Administration Ever. Here’s How He’s Doing.

Seven figures that show the representation — and the gaps — in President Joe Biden's Cabinet and federal appointments.

Digital Government

Experts Examine Accountability, Transparency Improvements in Government

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing discussed recent proposals to strengthen the authority of inspectors general and place some limits on acting officials.

Modernization

OMB Prioritizes Cyber, COVID Tech For New TMF Payback Model

Officials urged agencies to pitch projects that focus on hack cleanup, COVID-19 response or economic recovery by June 2 for maximum repayment flexibility from the Technology Modernization Fund.

Digital Government

US Air Force, Navy Extend 50% Work-From-Home Indefinitely

New memos suggest office space occupancy may never return to 100 percent.

Emerging Tech

Senators Introduce Bill to Increase U.S. Influence on Tech Standards-Setting Processes

The bill would create an Office of Science and Technology task force to come up with a strategy for increasing participation in standards settings bodies and counter China’s sway.

Digital Government

Pentagon’s New Leadership Accelerating Data-Centric Efforts

Chief Data Officer David Spirk said the deputy secretary of defense is providing “direct support” as they work through data decrees and open standards. 

Ideas

What Texas Power Outages Can Teach Us About Securing the Electric Grid

Cyber threats have the potential to impact the power grid in a similarly serious manner.

Digital Government

Federal Employees Sing Telework’s Praises, Want to Continue After the Pandemic

Survey results show those who have been doing their jobs remotely are happier and feel they are just as productive. 

Cybersecurity

Homeland Security Secretary Backs Call for Mandatory Disclosure of Ransomware Payments

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the department will work with a task force developed by the private sector on ways to tamp down the increase in ransomware attacks. 

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers Consider the National Science Foundation’s Future

Federal leaders made their cases for increased funding into research and continued focus on technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Ideas

To Future-Proof the American Economy, We Need 5 Million Digital Jobs in 5 Years

The challenge isn’t having enough workers to fill these roles: It’s that available workers aren’t trained in these high-demand areas.

Digital Government

Biden Again Pitches Expanded Federal Research Investments to Keep U.S. Competitive

“China and other countries are closing in fast,” the president said during his first Congressional address.

Cybersecurity

White House Endorses Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Water Infrastructure Bill 

A recent attempt by hackers to poison the water supply in a Florida town prompted calls for more resources.

Ideas

FTC Warns the AI Industry: Don't Discriminate, or Else

“Keep in mind that if you don’t hold yourself accountable, the FTC may do it for you,” an agency blog post said.