Digital Government

Data scientists: Stop trying to just predict; look back, and think

In the rush to predict the future, many are passing up the opportunity to leverage big data's potential to form a more complete picture of how the world works, leading scientists say.

Modernization

FedRAMP: Red tape or silver bullet?

Federal tech leaders are torn on how FedRAMP could help or hinder the monumental shift to commercial cloud.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers rip OPM's 'failure'

Members of Congress heaped hard questions on federal IT leaders at a June 16 hearing and suggested strongly that somebody needs to be fired.

Cybersecurity

OPM's 'Cyber Pearl Harbor' might affect 14 million

The OPM breach is looking worse than initially projected, with potentially every fed's information compromised. And the breach was discovered during a vendor's sales demonstration.

Digital Government

Going big on Data Act implementation

Senior leadership's message is clear that a half-hearted effort at tracking government spending data just won't cut it.

Digital Government

Nader and Norquist deconstruct the Data Act

If terabytes of data are released in the forest and no one is around to read them, do they make a difference?

Digital Government

IGs want computer-matching rules eased

Restrictions on accessing records across agencies are hamstringing government watchdogs -- but there's hope for a change.

Cybersecurity

Execs think their networks are safe (they’re not)

New survey shows that CEOs, CIOs and CISOs might have the wrong idea about how secure their networks really are.

Cybersecurity

RIP, HTTP

Federal websites will be required to tack on the "s" for "secure" by the end of next year.

Cybersecurity

OPM records the 'Holy Grail' of counter-intelligence

'Very old systems' and a lot of valuable, unencrypted data left millions vulnerable, despite the application of interior and perimeter defenses.

Digital Government

NASA picks 9 tools to scope out icy moon – and maybe alien life

Europa, frozen moon of Jupiter, might hold vast oceans and even life. NASA has OK'd a fleet of instruments aimed at exposing her secrets.

People

Are you one of the 4 million? Here's what to watch for

OPM is partnering with CSID to try to manage the fallout from a massive breach of some 4 million federal personnel records.

People

FDIC CIO on leave

Barry West also is leaving his post as president of the board at the Association for Federal Information Resources Management.

Modernization

Who knows what IT lurks in the hearts of feds?

Agency IT departments have no idea how many employees are using "shadow" cloud at work.

Cybersecurity

To meet new threats, IRS might need an old tool

In the wake of a massive breach, the IRS says it can stay one step ahead with more money -- and a special hiring authority.

People

USAJobs makeover is OPM's summer job this year

OPM plans to address problems with the federal job portal with an agile, continuous delivery approach this summer.

Cybersecurity

Are agencies really ready for the Internet of Things?

From storage to security, the risks are significant — but ignoring the IoT is not an option.

Modernization

Everybody talks about the weather …

The National Weather Service wants to do something about it, and has enlisted social scientists and data experts to devise social media and visualization strategies.

Acquisition

We're paying contractors how much?

GSA's 18F has a new tool aimed at saving money on a huge part of any contract's expense: people.