Modernization

Pentagon CIO: U.K. a model on cloud adoption

The British government hosts commercial cloud services within government facilities. That's "the right way for us to go," says Defense Department CIO Terry Halvorsen.

Digital Government

DISA claims progress in classified mobile

A year-old program to deploy mobile devices that can access classified information has gained steam, said Jack Wilmer, a Defense Information Systems Agency official.

Cybersecurity

New Air Force cyber doctrine stresses resilience

The directive from Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James instructs cyber operatives to fight through digital onslaughts from adversaries.

Cybersecurity

Marines take prominent role in DOD cyber operations

The Marine Corps' cyber operatives have been called on to expel spear phishers from the Joint Chiefs of Staff unclassified email network and to target Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

Cybersecurity

Familiar face returns to Cyber Command

After two years as commanding general of the Army's Intelligence and Security Command, Maj. Gen. George J. Franz III is heading back to Cyber Command, where he will be director of operations, the Pentagon announced.

Modernization

Lieu calls for House probe into mobile security flaw

A flaw in a common telephony protocol that allows hackers to eavesdrop on calls poses a threat to national security, said Rep. Ted Lieu.

Cybersecurity

NSA cyber exercise hones skills at military academies

Fifteen years since its inception, the Cyber Defense Exercise has added new dimensions, including the hacking of drone communications.

Modernization

'Toxic' data threatens agencies

Data can get stale and make government more vulnerable to hacks. On the other hand, agencies must meet Freedom of Information Act requirements for preserving information.

People

FBI taps 8-year vet for CIO post

Gordon Bitko was named by FBI Director James Comey to the CIO post, which was posted in January.

Cybersecurity

Obama’s cyber commission looks to next administration and beyond

The group's recommendations should be a "down payment for the next administration," Lisa Monaco, Obama's top counterterrorism adviser, told the inaugural meeting of the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

Navy, Marines look to contractors for cyber training

The Navy and Marine Corps are trying to build out their cyber workforce via a forthcoming contract to train personnel.

Cybersecurity

House panel advances Email Privacy Act

The act would update a 30-year-old law to require the government to use a warrant to force tech firms to turn over their customers' stored electronic communications.

Cybersecurity

DHS warns on cyber risks of open source

In comments on the proposed federal government open source policy, the Department of Homeland Security cautioned that the plan could lead to the introduction of compromised code.

Acquisition

Hurd warns against rigid IT budgeting

Rep. Will Hurd told FCW that the notion that "if you don't spend it, you lose it [is] the wrong kind of incentive to have in purchasing IT goods and services."

Modernization

Halvorsen outlines push to close data centers

The Defense Department CIO also discussed cybersecurity scorecards, accreditation processes and DOD's upgrade to Windows 10.

Modernization

White House offers details on $3.1B IT modernization plan

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will introduce legislation supporting an Obama administration plan to appropriate $3.1 billion for a capital fund to modernize outdated federal IT systems.

Cybersecurity

Senate Dem queries OMB over cyber acquisition

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has asked OMB to outline how it is leveraging several existing authorities for acquiring IT security technologies.

Cybersecurity

Agencies making uneven progress in adopting HTTPS

Agencies have until the end of the year to switch their public websites to the more secure HTTPS protocol. Some are much further along than others.

People

Pentagon security clearances drop 20 percent in 3 years

The sharp decline reflects a concerted effort by the Obama administration to tighten the background-check process.

Digital Government

Army releases telehealth RFI

The Army Medical Department is looking for an IT platform to provide remote access to health services.