Policy

House Homeland Gives Thumbs Up for Permanent DHS Cyber Response Team

The committee passed a trio of other bills that would fight digital spies, improve intelligence sharing and bolster counterterrorism tech research.

Digital Government

FEMA Used Google Rather Than Verified Registry to Fill Hurricane Relief Contracts

Agency that has come under recent scrutiny for handling of contracts rejects IG recommendations.

Policy

As Feds Expand Guest Worker Visas, Many Companies Say More Still Needed

Competition is stiff for businesses seeking H-2B visas. And the worker shortages have been felt all over the country, in a range of industries.

Cybersecurity

CISA Cuts Deadline For Patching Critical Weaknesses In Half

A new binding operational directive requires agencies to patch critical vulnerabilities in just over two weeks.

Cybersecurity

Agency Cyber Pros Welcome DHS’ Leadership If It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

Homeland Security is well-positioned to lead governmentwide cyber acquisitions and standards, so long as they work with agencies as individuals, officials said.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Worry DHS’ 2020 Budget ‘Shortchanges the Future’

The department's Science and Technology Directorate would be forced to close multiple research facilities to accommodate the 30% budget cut.

Modernization

DHS Tries Again to Build a Contract for Agile Development

The department is pushing components to buy more off governmentwide contracts—except when it comes to the cloud and agile development.

Modernization

What Agencies Get From Taking Leadership Roles In New Shared Services Regime

The administration is asking select departments to take the lead on governmentwide services. But don’t think it’s charity on the part of the agencies.

Emerging Tech

DHS Funds Tech to Reduce False Alarms at Airport Security

A British X-ray tech company won a $1.7 million contract to build software that double checks whether that nail clipper in your luggage is actually a switchblade.

Emerging Tech

TSA Wants A Vendor To Manage Its Third-Party Tech Testing Ecosystem

The new process will let the agency leverage private sector testing organizations instead of relying solely on Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate.

Emerging Tech

How the World is Beginning to Address Risks from China’s 5G

Chinese telecom tech is invading the physical world, but Europeans and industry have strategies to contain the threat.

Modernization

FEMA On Course For Another Grants Modernization Disaster, Watchdog Says

The emergency response agency is on its second attempt to modernize its grants IT infrastructure.

Digital Government

Shake Up at Homeland Security as Border Crisis Mounts

President Trump pledged to go in a "tougher" direction after withdrawing his nomination to lead ICE on Friday and accepting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's resignation on Sunday.

Digital Government

House Republicans Want FEMA to Answer for Leaking 2.3 Million Americans' Data

Members of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology want a full briefing from FEMA brass no later than April 18.

Cybersecurity

DHS Cyber Chief is Ready to Update Federal Tech Hiring

The department is preparing to roll out a new personnel system that will let officials “hire people based on their skill sets, not what’s on a piece of paper,” said Chris Krebs.

Cybersecurity

DHS Invests $5.9 Million into Cyber Training Tool for Energy Sector

The project will expand a strategic decision-making and communication exercise tool developed for the finance sector to the energy sector.