Cybersecurity

Trump gets cyber diplomacy and workforce advice from agencies

State, Commerce and DHS delivered on President Trump's 2017 executive order.with policy guidance on cyber diplomacy and building a cyber workforce.

Digital Government

House panel mulls IoT survey

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are pushing the government to review the state of play regarding internet-of-things devices and their uses.

Digital Government

Bill to preserve ZTE sanctions clears committee

An amendment designed to block Trump's proposed rollback of sanctions against Chinese telecom firm ZTE passed its first legislative hurdle.

Digital Government

House plans $1B bump for Census over White House request

A former Census director told FCW that the bureau appears to be "in pretty good shape right now" when it comes to funding.

Modernization

Commerce will revisit ZTE sanctions at Trump's request

The U.S. government will revisit harsh sanctions against Chinese telecom firm ZTE, despite years of complaints by U.S. officials that the communications giant violates trade laws and may facilitate Chinese espionage.

Cybersecurity

For better cybersecurity, be nice to your CFO

Instead of looking for the new hire or the next great tech to protect federal networks, agency cybersecurity officials could get more done by befriending their financial counterparts.

Digital Government

House Dems push to subpoena Commerce over census question

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are seeking documentation behind a controversial decision made by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to include a citizenship question on the 2020 population survey.

Digital Government

Census worried about costs of late changes to 2020 survey

The Census Bureau has added a new area to its list of its major operational concerns that could affect the design or the successful implementation of the 2020 count: cost impacts of late changes.

Modernization

ZTE banned from buying from U.S. firms

The Commerce Department hit Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE with denial of export privileges, preventing the company from accessing the U.S. supply chain.

Digital Government

Census advisers blast citizenship question

Concern over the addition of the citizenship question dominated a Census advisory committee meeting, but the bureau still has cybersecurity and operational challenges on its plate.

People

Congress wants Patent Office to get a handle on telework

Once the poster child for telework, the Patent and Trademark Office was dinged by multiple oversight reports alleging time and attendance abuse.

Digital Government

2020 Census to include citizenship question

The Department of Commerce is breaking with recent practice and restoring a question about respondent citizenship last used in 1950, despite being urged not to by former Census directors and outside experts.

Digital Government

2018 Census test launches amid unanswered questions

As the Census Bureau kicks off its critical dress rehearsal for the decennial count, the agency faces IT systems unreadiness, funding uncertainty, a lack of permanent leadership and concerns over low response rates.

Acquisition

Can Census staff up for 2020?

With the decennial count looming, a watchdog report finds problems with how the Census Bureau handles background checks of temporary employees.

Digital Government

Lawmakers press Census Bureau on readiness

Key members of the House Oversight committee want answers from Census Bureau leaders about readiness for critical 2018 tests.

Modernization

Will the Census Bureau's IT systems be ready for 2020?

For the 2020 census and beyond, the bureau has worked to develop a centralized data collection and processing system to improve cost and tech management. But will it be ready in time for 2020?

People

Experts fear Trump budget shortchanges Census

As the Census Bureau looks down the home stretch toward the 2020 population count, experts say the proposed $3.8 billion FY 2019 budget isn't enough.

Modernization

How NTIA is trying to push 5G

The federal government looking to encourage 5G wireless tech by trimming regulations and making it easier for carriers to use federal property for cell sites.

People

Critical Census test to start on schedule, as long as the government doesn't shut down

Despite its unconfirmed budget and the possibility of another shutdown, the Census Bureau is moving ahead with its plans to conduct its critical dress rehearsal on time.

Digital Government

Digital fellowship program is back and growing for 2018

Building off last year's successful debut, the student-initiated Civic Digital Fellowship is back at more agencies, with more fellowship slots.