Tech

Slack Messages Could Be Subject to FOIA Requests

If you work for a government agency, your taco emoji are federal records.

Nextgov

DHS Wants Better Social Media Screening Technology

In a new request for information, DHS said it is looking for open source “privacy, civil rights and civil liberties-protecting analytic methods."

Tech

Nuclear Weapons Technology Is Out of Date

The majority of the systems in the Wyoming U.S. Air Force launch control center date back to the 1960s and 1970s.

Nextgov

Buying Cloud Services: What the U.S. Can Learn from the UK

British government agencies have access to a comprehensive listing of cloud service suppliers available through pre-vetted vendors working on six-month acquisition cycles.

Tech

The White House's Encryption Views Are All Over the Map

Some government officials are focused on catching criminals, while others worry about empowering hackers.

Nextgov

Satisfaction with Federal Government Drops Yet Again

The Treasury Department had the lowest customer satisfaction score in the federal government, largely because of the IRS.

Nextgov

Oversight Lawmakers Probe Extent of Juniper Hack Across Federal Government

Last month, the company announced the discovery of unauthorized code in its technology.

Nextgov

Industry Group Weighs In: FedRAMP Needs Fixing

The industry group’s recommendations mirror efforts announced by the FedRAMP office last week, which focused on speeding up authorizations as well as increasing transparency.

Nextgov

Here’s How the Pentagon Plans to Protect Security Clearance Data

The new IT systems storing background investigation forms on millions of federal employees and contractors will use end-to-end encryption.

Nextgov

Report: OMB Cuts Contracts for Mobile Devices

The new policy could force agencies to consolidate their contracts over the next few years.

Nextgov

Don’t Ask for Permission to Use Agile. Just Start Doing It.

In attempting to move your program to agile methods, you may encounter a number of challenges more common for government program managers than for commercial firms.

Nextgov

TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct all Use This Security Feature. Why Doesn’t the IRS?

The Internal Revenue Service is not keeping pace with modern hacking, according to agency watchdogs.

Tech

Why Are Government Weather Forecasts So Shouty?

They’re one of the best products put out by the National Weather Service. But they have a certain style.

Nextgov

FDA Wants to Protect High-Tech Medical Devices From Hackers

In new draft guidance, FDA tells device manufacturers to take responsibility for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Pay & Benefits

New Advanced Degree in Information Security Operations Offers Tuition Discount For Feds

The current deadline for applying for the online master’s program offered through Champlain College is Feb. 8.

Nextgov

After OPM Hack, Pentagon to Store and Secure Sensitive Security Clearance Docs

The new office responsible for conducting background investigations will have its IT systems “designed, built, secured and operated” by the Defense Department.

Tech

TSA: Americans Are Trying to Bring a Lot More Loaded Guns Onto Planes

Instances of firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage rose 20% from 2014 to 2015.

Nextgov

Q&A with Matt Goodrich: How FedRAMP Gives Customers What They Want

GSA is building very technical policies based on what its customers want, not developing policies and forcing its customers to comply with them.

Nextgov

DHS Secretary Plans to Make ‘Tangible Recruitments’ in Cyber

Jeh Johnson also said DHS wants “to encourage the tech sector to partner with Muslim communities” to provide a “countermessage to the message of the Islamic State.”