People

Pentagon readies reopening plan

The Defense Department is planning to shift from pandemic footing to more normal operations, and is using White House issued criteria on declines in reported symptoms, declines in new cases and hospital access to determine when restrictions will be lifted.

Modernization

Federal CIO Sheds Light on What Agencies Are Learning in COVID-19 Response

U.S. tech chief Suzette Kent detailed how COVID-19 response efforts offer agencies a new vantage point into their past operations.

Modernization

COVID-19 shifts network priorities

Network infrastructure is a key to unlocking remote work in the new COVID environment, say agency CIOs.

Ideas

How Agencies Can Sustain Telework After the COVID Pandemic

Agencies are now financially able to boost their IT capacity and acquire equipment to operate in the work from home landscape.

Modernization

COVID-19 More Likely to Accelerate Telecom Modernization than Cause Delays, GSA Officials Say

The pandemic has delayed some agency transitions to the $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract, but those are outliers, according to program leads.

Cybersecurity

CISA Releases Top 10 Most Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities

The agency highlighted three threats targeting remote workers though other known issues date back to 2016.

Digital Government

New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave

Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.

People

Navy IT looks beyond COVID

The Navy's network operations, like most federal agencies, scrambled to shift to completely remote workforce, but the experience has also shifted workers' network expectations.

Podcasts

Critical Update: Teleworking Securely During the Pandemic

Nextgov staff recently joined the GovExec Daily podcast to discuss do's and don'ts of remote work.

Digital Government

Decisions To Reopen GSA Regional Offices Will Be Made At the Local Level

The agency’s open floorplans and other concerns make it difficult to reopen offices, but GSA’s telework culture has kept operations running smoothly, according to an agency official.

Cybersecurity

Survey Suggests Businesses are Overconfident About Their Security During COVID-19

Hackers and scammers are capitalizing on increased online activity during the novel coronavirus pandemic but security officials don’t seem worried.

Ideas

Preparing for the New Normal

We’ve figured out how to use technology to help conduct business without needing to be face to face, and in many ways it’s a lot more efficient.

Digital Government

CFPB Seeks Health Guidance for Bringing Employees Back to Offices

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking for advice on health protocols, personal protective equipment, and general guidance for a workforce “re-entry” plan.

Podcasts

Critical Update: How State Department IT Was Set Up to Deal with COVID-19

State Department CIO Stuart McGuigan joins Critical Update to talk about his vision for the agency and how the department’s decentralized nature made for an easy transition to mass telework.

Digital Government

What Feds Teleworking During the Pandemic Need to Know About Complying With the Hatch Act

Special counsel releases guidance on what counts as “on duty” while working from home, and what not to do during video conferences.

Cybersecurity

Zoom or Not? NSA Offers Agencies Guidance for Choosing Videoconference Tools.

The agency weighs in on the questions federal employees and contractors should ask as they select collaboration platforms.

People

GOP lawmakers seek limits on foreign TSP investments

A House bill lands as a veterans group steps up efforts to lobby the military and the White House against investment in Chinese defense firms.

People

IRS recalls certain mission-critical employees for tax season

The tax agency is putting distancing measures into place and requiring employees to wear face coverings on the job.