Nextgov
NIST Updates Cybersecurity Engineering Guidelines
Amid constant cybersecurity threats, NIST added more insight for engineers and programmers on how to mitigate system vulnerabilities.
Defense
Marine Amphibious Combat Vehicles Returning to the Water
A tow mechanism problem led to a three-month suspension from waterborne operations.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Using Postcards to Make People Interact with Government More Easily
Dr. Katerina Linos joins the podcast to discuss how to make customer service more effective in government… in a very low-tech way.
Nextgov
How the Log4j Vulnerability is Forcing Change in Federal Cybersecurity Policy
Officials say agencies have demonstrated more dedication than ever in addressing a bug with astronomical reach, but organizations are at the mercy of product vendors to issue the patches they need to implement.
Workforce
IRS Staffing Shortages Likely to Cause Turbulent Tax Season, Treasury Officials Say
Backlogs and poor customer service are likely to hamper tax season handling, officials warn.
Management
Information Sought on the ‘Future of Work’ for Feds
The topics of inquiry align with the president’s management agenda.
Management
OPM Issues Guidance on Agency Hiring of Chief Diversity Officers
The memo builds off President Biden’s executive order aimed at improving the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility of federal agencies.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Will Be a Barrier to Rebuilding the Federal Workforce
The General Schedule pay system is too rigid to allow the government to attract and retain employees in today’s tight labor market.
Defense
Who’s in Charge of US Space Policy?
Space professionals worry the National Space Council is ceding its defense portfolio.
Exclusive
Defense
Common Office Desk Phone Could Be Leaking Info to Chinese Government, Report Alleges
Phones by Yealink have been observed sending encrypted messages to Chinese servers three times a day.
Oversight
A High-Risk Medical Device Didn’t Meet Federal Standards. The Government Paid Millions for More.
For years after federal inspectors found serious problems with the HeartWare heart pump, agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services continued paying to implant it in patients.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Increasing Federal Cyber Hygiene
Bill Wright joins the podcast to discuss how agencies can protect themselves online.
Management
Biden Administration Punts on Deadline to Recommend Sweeping Changes to VA Health Care
Initial proposals for VA's BRAC-style review delayed due to COVID-19 case surge.
Workforce
Report: 45% of All Federal Employees Teleworked in Fiscal 2020
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest annual telework report captures the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Management
As Postal Service Eyes Supreme Court on Vaccine Mandate, It Prepares to Help Send COVID-19 Tests to Americans
USPS also strikes agreement with another union, likely providing more generous pay raises and health care benefits to workers.
Management
After Communication Confusion, CDC Holds Solo Press Briefing
The CDC director anticipates Friday’s briefing will be “the first of many.”
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Biden’s Vaccine Rules Get Their Day in (Supreme) Court
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
GAO Uses Covert Testing Scheme to Assess SBA Screening Processes For Tribal Firms in 8(a) Program
The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.
Tech
When Should You Take an At-Home COVID Test?
"If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive on an at-home test, you have COVID-19. You don’t need to get another test to confirm the results."
Management