Defense

Microsoft, defense firms partnering on modeling and simulation capabilities

Microsoft is collaborating with defense sector companies as DOD seeks to increase its gaming, exercising, modeling and simulation capabilities.

Digital Government

VA Used COVID Relief Funds To Bolster IT and Digital Services

The VA used supplemental COVID funding from three different bills to support expanded telehealth services and remote operations during the worst of the pandemic.

Digital Government

USDA ‘Did Not Establish Performance Goals’ For its Broadband Program, Watchdog Says

A report from the Government Accountability Office found that the Agriculture Department’s ReConnect program lacks set performance objectives and a detailed fraud mitigation framework.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft, Defense Firms Partnering on Modeling and Simulation Capabilities

Microsoft is collaborating with defense sector companies as DOD seeks to increase its gaming, exercising, modeling and simulation capabilities.

Podcasts

Critical Update: Safeguarding Data From Outside Intrusion

The VA is in the process of implementing a zero-trust cybersecurity model to better secure veterans’ sensitive personal data.

Emerging Tech

FCC Bans Sale of New Devices From Chinese Companies Huawei, ZTE and Others

Friday’s order to ban new sales and imports from five Chinese companies is the first time in its history that the agency has blocked the sale of telecommunications equipment on national security grounds.

Policy

FCC’s Spectrum Sharing Proposal Draws Lawmaker Concerns

House Science Committee leaders urged the FCC’s commissioners to refrain from sharing the spectrum band used by NOAA with commercial wireless carriers.

Exclusive Digital Government

VA Has a Plan to Attract Workers Displaced by Widespread Tech Industry Layoffs

Amid a recent wave of layoffs across the technology sector, the VA is working to position itself as an enticing destination for unemployed tech workers.

Modernization

House Modernization Leaders Have High Hopes for Tech Proposals, Even as Committee Disbands

The chair and vice chair of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress told Nextgov they’re hopeful lawmakers will continue to advance their recommendations for improving congressional operations.

Emerging Tech

Almost 9 in 10 Federal Agencies Using or Considering 5G, Per Study

General Dynamics Information Technology’s survey of 500 federal employees identified concerns about costs, cyber risks and integration challenges when it comes to adopting 5G capabilities.

Cybersecurity

Secret Service’s Zero Trust Plan Must Account for OMB Guidance, Watchdog Says

The Secret Service’s plan for adopting a zero trust architecture model across the agency’s systems has not been updated since the Office of Management and Budget released new guidance in January.

Cybersecurity

Iranian Hackers Compromised a Federal Agency’s Network, CISA and FBI Say

Actors linked with the Iranian government were able to exploit an unpatched Log4Shell vulnerability—which the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency asked agencies to address by the end of 2021—in an unnamed agency’s network.

Cybersecurity

DOD Must Enhance Cyber Incident Reporting and Sharing, Watchdog Says

The Government Accountability Office found that the Pentagon “lacks an accountable organization and consistent guidance” for documenting and sharing details about reported cyber incidents.

Cybersecurity

China’s Cyber Capabilities ‘Pose a Serious Threat’ to US, Advisory Panel Warns

The panel’s report also called for the Biden administration to consider revoking China’s status as a favored trading partner if a congressional review finds that Beijing is not complying with its commitments.

Digital Government

Senator to Elon Musk: 'Fix Your Companies. Or Congress Will'

After Elon Musk mocked Sen. Ed Markey’s concerns about Twitter verifying fake accounts, the senator told the mogul to get it together or Congress would step in.

Emerging Tech

DOD Working on Prototype of Mobile Microgrid for Arctic Operations

The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit announced that it is partnering with MITRE and 10 Defense Department components to develop a microgrid capable of working at temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cybersecurity

No ‘Specific or Credible’ Cyber Threats Affected Integrity of Midterms, CISA Says

Despite “a handful” of DDoS attacks targeting state and local election websites and some technical glitches affecting voting equipment, CISA says it saw “no activity” that should undermine faith in the results of the midterm elections.

Defense

Pentagon expects to award $9 billion cloud contract in December

The Pentagon’s chief information officer said the multi-cloud, multi-vendor JWCC contract will be awarded “in about a month.”

Digital Government

Pentagon on Track to Award $9 Billion Cloud Contract in December

The Pentagon’s Chief Information Officer said the multi-cloud, multi-vendor JWCC contract will be awarded “in about a month.”