Cybersecurity

Walter Copan tapped to lead NIST

A former senior executive at the Brookhaven National Lab is President Trump's pick to lead the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Digital Government

Can Congress save the 2020 census?

As the Census Bureau has had to cancel or suspend programs to cope with budgetary constraints, Congress is going to have to ramp up funding and oversight down the home stretch to avoid a failed count.

Digital Government

Census walks back tech solution to population count

The Census Bureau expects to nearly double the number of in-person household visits -- and in turn, the total burden hours -- during its critical dress rehearsal test.

Cybersecurity

Can government help fight the war on botnets?

As the number of internet-connected devices increases, along with the threat of botnets and potential attacks, the role of government should not be solely focused on prescribing new legal mandates.

Cybersecurity

Expert: Battling botnets requires standards and automation

The departments of Commerce and Homeland Security have embarked on a year-long study on how to reduce botnets, but one former official says steps must be taken now to combat the growing problem.

Digital Government

Career official assumes Census leadership as key tests loom

Two career officials will serve as Census director and deputy director as the bureau faces multiple test and challenges in the run-up to the 2020 enumeration.

Digital Government

AT&T rival targets FirstNet opt-out states

FirstNet and AT&T made their plans for states' wireless broadband network available, starting what might be a contentious state-by-state battle.

Cybersecurity

Senators: Reorg plans must balance workforce cuts against mission success

Agencies expect to hit the first deadline set by the White House's plan to restructure government and reduce the size of the workforce, but lawmakers want to make sure their efforts don't come at the expense of effective operations.

Modernization

White House funds federal spectrum study

OMB funds research on how to consolidate multiple federal radar capabilities to free up government-owned spectrum for the commercial market.

Digital Government

Commerce chief indicates flexibility on 2020 census funding

Despite Trump's request for a $1.4 billion cut to the Department of Commerce, secretary Wilbur Ross indicated room for some budgetary flexibility to pull off the 2020 census.

Digital Government

Census funding falls short of Obama-era plans

President Trump's budget proposal falls almost $300 million short of his predecessor's proposal for fiscal year 2018, raising concerns that an already-challenged census could be in historic trouble.

Modernization

Trump taps House committee counsel for NTIA chief

David Redl, the chief counsel on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is President Trump's nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

People

Census director resigns amid 2020 prep

As the Census Bureau stares down a critical and jam-packed 2017 schedule, Director John Thompson announced his retirement, effective June 30.

Digital Government

Can the Census Bureau really deliver $5 billion in savings?

Unexpected cost overruns to critical systems and decisions to cancel or suspend various programs risk eating into the $5 billion in savings proposed by Census Bureau for its 2020 count.

Digital Government

Census IT tackling a very long to-do list for 2017

In 2017, the bureau plans to award three IT contracts, scale up its systems, and nail down its partnership with USPS and with state and local governments to shore up its address records, all in time for its August 2017 dress rehearsal start date.

Acquisition

Is IT exempt from Trump's 'Buy American' order?

Given the global supply chain, determining the national provenance of a piece of technology is a tricky business. And in any case, Congress long ago carved out an exception for commercial IT products.

Modernization

Record ZTE fine spotlights weak links in supply chain

The record $1.19 billion fine imposed on a Chinese telecommunications firm in March for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea is worth keeping in mind as dangers to supply chain security mount, said top U.S. counterintelligence official.

Modernization

AT&T aligns public sector under Kapoor

AT&T combines previously separated groups, as well as its new FirstNet partnership duties, under longtime federal head Kay Kapoor.