Author Archive

Kirsten Errick

Kirsten Errick

Staff Reporter, Nextgov

Kirsten Errick is a technology reporter for Nextgov, where she covers GSA, tech workforce, automation and space tech. She is also working towards her master’s in journalism at Georgetown University. Kirsten received her B.A. in communication from Villanova University.
Kirsten Errick is a technology reporter for Nextgov, where she covers GSA, tech workforce, automation and space tech. She is also working towards her master’s in journalism at Georgetown University. Kirsten received her B.A. in communication from Villanova University.
Tech

Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies

The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.

Management

NOAA to Improve Storm Surge Predictions Ahead of 2023 Hurricane Season

The agency upgraded its system to improve modeling and forecasting for storm surges and related flooding.

Tech

IRS System Doesn’t Meet All Cloud Security Requirements, Watchdog Says

Treasury’s Inspector General found the IRS did not meet requirements like malicious code protection and timely risk mitigation.

Tech

CDC Seeks Digital Health App for Its Employees

The mobile application should provide meditation and mindfulness activities to help employees manage stress.

Workforce

Report: 39% Federal Leaders Rate Accessibility as a Top Priority

Budget constraints and old technology add challenges to fully realizing digital accessibility.

Tech

U.S. Marshals Service Hacked in ‘Major Incident’

This is the second time the agency has been hacked in recent years, adding to a growing number of agencies that have experienced cybersecurity incidents.

Tech

GSA Seeks Commercial Procurement Data Solution 

The agency is looking for a dashboard and reporting system that can also check for data errors or inconsistencies.

Tech

Watchdog: GSA Needs to Monitor Access Card Data

The agency’s inspector general found more than 32,000 failed access attempts over a two year period, which could pose a security risk.

Management

OPM’s Event to Attract Laid Off Tech Workers Was Popular, But Will It Yield Results?

Despite widespread interest in a recent recruitment event, clear data on the number of hires remains unavailable to assess the immediate success of such career fairs to fill currently available roles.

Workforce

Report: 14% of Young Adults Want to Work for Government

Young adults preferred businesses of any size to government or nonprofit work.

Oversight

Legislators Renew Efforts to Protect Consumers from an Eavesdropping Fridge

The reintroduced bill asks the Federal Trade Commission to establish disclosure guidelines for smart devices and appliances that consumers would not expect to be recording them.

Workforce

OPM Previews Its New Cyber Workforce Dashboard

The dashboard will launch after the agency has determined what data to make publicly available.

Workforce

Former Presidential Innovation Fellow Stresses the Program’s Importance for Tech Recruitment

Current VA CTO Charles Worthington noted that PIF and other programs offer an important avenue for technologists to serve the public, while the government is looking to attract top talent.

Tech

‘We Have Nothing’ Showing UFOs Are of Alien Origin, Defense Official Says

So far, data has not shown unidentified anomalous phenomena to be from an alien source, according to defense officials.

Tech

Watchdog: Most Agencies Behind on Personal Data Disclosure Guidance

The Government Accountability Office found that only one out of 17 agencies implemented guidance from the Office of Management and Budget.

Tech

TSA Wants to Automate ID Verification at Checkpoint Security

The agency is testing using facial recognition to verify passengers’ information with the information on record.

Tech

NASA Awards $57M Contract to Build Roads on the Moon

The award will go toward developing technologies to build infrastructure like landing pads and roads on the surface of the moon.

Tech

Building an AI-Ready Staff Starts With Data Literacy and Training

Agencies must train their workforce to get the most out of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, federal technologists and data experts advise.

Tech

GSA Tests Energy Tech to Achieve Federal Sustainability Goals

The agency is looking at solar tracking, off-grid mobile charging and carbon pollution-free electricity to meet goals set in a December 2021 executive order.