Emerging Tech

Emma, USCIS' New Virtual Assistant, Can Soon Answer Your Visa Questions

A rudimentary, text-based version of more advanced virtual assistants such as Apple's Siri, Emma interprets typed questions and direct users to relevant parts of the USCIS website.

Emerging Tech

Energy Invests $125 million in Green Tech Projects

Days before COP21 in Paris, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is emphasizing the department's commitment to "innovation."

Emerging Tech

Defense Agency Wants to Talk About Operations on Twitter

The Defense Media Activity wants a contractor who can think about ways to use social media to talk to the public about defense.

Emerging Tech

VA Rolls Out 'Innovators Networks' at 8 Sites

The new program aims to get employees to test out new ideas.

Cybersecurity

New Counterintelligence Strategy: Focus on Cyber

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's new strategy aims to detect, mitigate and prevent cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Worry Malicious Hackers Could Take Control of Your Car

The House oversight committee held a hearing about potential cybercrime in connected cars.

Digital Government

Federal CIO: More than 10,000 Openings for Cyber Pros in the Federal Government

Tony Scott said he's turning his focus to broader challenges, such as recruiting technology talent.

Cybersecurity

For Microsoft, Government Data Breaches a Chance to Pivot into Cyber

In a keynote for federal customers in Washington, CEO Satya Nadella attempted to distance the company from security vulnerabilities.

Emerging Tech

NIST Testing out Passwordless Smart Home

The agency has awarded a $1.86 million grant to save consumers from "password fatigue."

Digital Government

Watchdog: IRS Tech Still Puts Taxpayer Data at Risk

The IRS' information systems are still deficient, a Government Accountability Office report says.

Emerging Tech

Federal Government Takes a Bet on Quantum Computing with New D-Wave Purchase

The Los Alamos National Laboratory is buying a "quantum computer," in part to figure out how to use it.

Digital Government

On Veterans Day, VA Quietly Unveils New 'Vets.gov'

The bare-bones site is a first look at an online hub VA hopes can eventually link all veteran-related sites.

Modernization

DOD Official on 'Internet of Things' Security: 'We Have to Drive Out Passwords'

A military version of the Internet of Things needs to be far more robust against cyberattacks than its commercial counterpart.

Digital Government

18F's Micropurchasing Dilemma: Is $1 for Code Too Cheap?

For the past few weeks, GSA's tech team 18F has been running a "reverse-auction" for code.

Emerging Tech

DHS Invests in Wearables That Can Detect Nuclear Threats

The Human Portable Tripwire program intends to outfit DHS personnel with devices that alert wearers when nuclear or radioactive material is nearby.

Emerging Tech

Justice Department Wants Anti-Drone Systems for Prisons

Unmanned air vehicles "have presented a new and evolving threat" for federal prison facilities.

Cybersecurity

OPM Hires New Cyber Adviser

Clifton Triplett has been appointed OPM's senior cyber and information technology adviser, and will report directly to OPM's Beth Cobert.

Emerging Tech

Q&A: How the Postal Service Thinks It Can Predict the Next Cyber Breach

The agency's manager for data science and exploration told Nextgov his team plans to use predictive analytics to foresee future cyberintrusions.