People

Senate confirms deputy secretary at VA

Tanya Bradsher takes over as the top official tasked with managing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ troubled electronic health record project.

People

White House names new deputy chief technology officer for policy

Austin Bonner joins White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, though the position of U.S. CTO has not been filled since 2021.

Digital Government

How the Agriculture Department is ‘hardwiring’ customer experience into its work

The department’s chief customer experience officer, Simchah Suveyke-Bogin, told Nextgov/FCW that her primary goal is building capacity for customer experience.

People

Biden selects NSA veteran as national cyber director nominee

White House officials named former National Security Agency official Harry Coker, Jr. as the nominee to replace former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis amid the ongoing implementation of the new National Cyber Strategy.

People

USDA CIO talks modernization, CX priorities

The Agriculture Department has made strides to modernize tech systems and improve service delivery, but there’s more work to do, according to Chief Information Officer Gary Washington.

Cybersecurity

Vacant White House cyber post draws concern amid global software breach

In the aftermath of a global cyberattack exposing personal data on millions of Americans, calls are growing for the White House to fill the top slot at the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Digital Government

IRS to get a new acting CIO

The current occupant of the top tech job at the tax agency is going back to his post at Treasury at the end of June.

Digital Government

Can a chief data officer reignite federal data strategy?

Tech think tank ITIF wants the White House to revive the Trump-era Federal Data Strategy, which it says has “stalled” with a lack of leadership support.

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence

Meet Google Public Sector’s New Board of Directors

Dave Goldfein, retired general and former Air Force chief of staff, will serve as the board’s chairman, alongside professionals with backgrounds in defense and intelligence, technology, education, health care and state and local government.

Artificial Intelligence

Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies

The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.

Digital Government

Apple VP Named New Director of Defense Innovation Unit

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced that the Defense Innovation Unit director will report directly to him as part of a leadership “realignment.”

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Move to Elevate Leadership of Energy’s Cyber Office

Citing the threat posed by foreign adversaries, four Republican senators are pushing for a Senate-confirmed assistant secretary to helm Energy’s office tasked with cybersecurity.

Emerging Tech

NASA Leader Looks to Artemis II and Beyond for Agency’s Future

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that such complex missions “are not going to launch until it’s right” for astronaut safety.

Digital Government

Space Partnerships are Critical for U.S. Security, Defense Official Says

At AFCEA NOVA’s Space Force IT day, Col. Ted Hanger discussed the importance of working with allies and partners in space.

Ideas

Top 3 Priority Recommendations for the First Federal Chief Data Officer

COMMENTARY | Many agency chief data officers would like to see the creation and appointment of a federal CDO.

Digital Government

House Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Members, Assignments Announced

Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly will serve as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation.

Digital Government

Government’s Data Leaders Center Customer Experience in 2023 Goals

Several of the Chief Data Officers Council working groups are trying to improve customer experience for both Americans and agencies through their respective focus areas.