Critical Update: A Technical Farewell and the ‘Emergiest’ News of 2022

Critical Update: Safeguarding Data From Outside Intrusion

Critical Update: How Data Analytics and AI Algorithms Can Prioritize Trust

Critical Update: Leveraging Data to Achieve Mission

Critical Update: Gaming the (Solar) System

NASA futurist Michael LaPointe joins the podcast to talk about what it will take—in technology, time and treasure—to get a human out of our solar system.

NASA futurist Michael LaPointe joins the podcast to talk about what it will take—in technology, time and treasure—to get a human out of our solar system.

Critical Update: How NASA Might  One Day Send Humans Into Outer Space 

The environmental agency collects vast amounts of data each day from its constellation of satellites.

The environmental agency collects vast amounts of data each day from its constellation of satellites.

Critical Update: The Information Constellation—How NOAA Data Ends up in Forecasts

Front

NASA invents a lot of cool and cutting edge technology to make space exploration possible—tech that often ends up pretty close to home as well.

NASA invents a lot of cool and cutting edge technology to make space exploration possible—tech that often ends up pretty close to home as well.

Critical Update: Where the Final Frontier Meets Your Front Door

Oak Ridge National Lab’s Travis Humble discussed the state of quantum technology development and what it demands for future development. 

Oak Ridge National Lab’s Travis Humble discussed the state of quantum technology development and what it demands for future development.

Critical Update: To Bridge Quantum’s Valley of Death, Labs Need Funding and Workforce

Leaders from GSA’s 10x program join the podcast to talk about how they’re mapping paths through the Valley of Death.

Leaders from GSA’s 10x program join the podcast to talk about how they’re mapping paths through the Valley of Death.

Critical Update: ‘The Good Death Is Our Only Goal’

Nextgov's Critical Update explores the future of government technology. Each episode, we dive into how the government is using the latest tech and more importantly, you’ll hear from some of the people who are trying to make change possible.

Informative

Critical Update

Congress shapes the technology priorities for federal agencies, which is why we spoke to Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, a two-term congressman and chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on IT. Hurd helped develop the  FITARA Scorecard, a tool Congress uses to track whether agencies are complying with major IT initiatives and law such as the  Modernizing Government Technology Act and  MEGABYTE Act. More specifically, he’s been pushing hard to give federal CIOs more authority over their employees and budgets, as well as real influence over the direction of their agencies. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

Congress shapes the technology priorities for federal agencies, which is why we spoke to Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, a two-term congressman and chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on IT. Hurd helped develop the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2018/05/agency-grades-get-worse-latest-fitara-scorecard/148394/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> FITARA Scorecard</a>, a tool Congress uses to track whether agencies are complying with major IT initiatives and law such as the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2017/11/hurds-it-modernization-bill-heads-president/142608/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Modernizing Government Technology Act</a> and <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2016/11/gsa-helping-agencies-implement-megabyte-act/133081/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> MEGABYTE Act</a>. More specifically, he’s been pushing hard to give federal CIOs more authority over their employees and budgets, as well as real influence over the direction of their agencies. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

View From the Hill 

The Pentagon’s research wing, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, was created when Russia launched Sputnik and the U.S. had no response. And within DARPA, the Defense Sciences Office tackles big, forward-looking technology issues so the country is never caught off guard by another “technology surprise.” Nextgov’s Jack Corrigan chats with DSO Director Valerie Browning to discuss the implications of machines that can think for themselves, when we should expect our first personal quantum computer and why more money doesn’t always mean more results when it comes to government research.

The Pentagon’s research wing, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, was created when Russia launched Sputnik and the U.S. had no response. And within DARPA, the Defense Sciences Office tackles big, forward-looking technology issues so the country is never caught off guard by another “technology surprise.” Nextgov’s Jack Corrigan chats with DSO Director Valerie Browning to discuss the implications of machines that can think for themselves, when we should expect our first personal quantum computer and why more money doesn’t always mean more results when it comes to government research.

Inside DARPA’s DARPA

The government faces a serious brain drain: For every one tech worker under 30 years old, there are almost five who are 60 and older. One way to fix that is lure talent from the private-sector for short-term stints in the government. Marcy Jacobs runs one such team: the Digital Service team at the Veterans Affairs department. She shares what she looks for when she’s building her team and how some fall in love with the mission. Here’s more on the  work Jacobs’ team does and more information on the Sammies, an awards program that recognizes the work of public servants. Read more about the  U.S. Digital Service’s work, and by the way, the team is hiring. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

The government faces a serious brain drain: For every one tech worker under 30 years old, there are almost five who are 60 and older. One way to fix that is lure talent from the private-sector for short-term stints in the government. Marcy Jacobs runs one such team: the Digital Service team at the Veterans Affairs department. She shares what she looks for when she’s building her team and how some fall in love with the mission. Here’s more on the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/06/how-va-personalizing-veteran-services-single-website/148825/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> work Jacobs’ team does</a> and more information on <a href="https://servicetoamericamedals.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Sammies</a>, an awards program that recognizes the work of public servants. Read more about the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/03/us-digital-service-congress-weve-made-measurable-impact/146996/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> U.S. Digital Service’s work,</a> and by the way, <a href="https://www.usds.gov/join.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the team is hiring</a>. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

We Need the People

The coming year will have a focus on procurement speed, Deltek Director of Federal Market Analysis Deniece Peterson and Senior Manager of Research Ashley Sanderson tell Nextgov’s Frank Konkel. Plus: the longer-term effects of the partial shutdown. Some helpful reading:  The Devil’s in the Details as GSA Seeks to Consolidate the Multiple Award Schedules  Agencies Spent $10.4B in 10 Years Using Other Transactions. Here's Where It Went.  JEDI: One Year in the Pentagon’s Push for a Revolutionary Cloud

The coming year will have a focus on procurement speed, Deltek Director of Federal Market Analysis Deniece Peterson and Senior Manager of Research Ashley Sanderson tell Nextgov’s Frank Konkel. Plus: the longer-term effects of the partial shutdown. Some helpful reading: <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/12/devils-details-gsa-seeks-consolidate-multiple-award-schedules/153638/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> The Devil’s in the Details as GSA Seeks to Consolidate the Multiple Award Schedules</a> <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/insights/cards/other-transaction-authority/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Agencies Spent $10.4B in 10 Years Using Other Transactions. Here's Where It Went.</a> <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/feature/jedi-contract/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> JEDI: One Year in the Pentagon’s Push for a Revolutionary Cloud</a>

The Big Money

We rely on a variety of different encryption techniques to keep our digital lives safe as we bank, chat and conduct business online. It takes today’s most powerful computers thousands, if not millions of years to break the strongest codes, but quantum computers threaten to crack through them in a fraction of the time. The National Science Foundation’s Thyaga Nandagopal explains where quantum efforts are now and where they’re going. Sponsored by Raytheon

We rely on a variety of different encryption techniques to keep our digital lives safe as we bank, chat and conduct business online. It takes today’s most powerful computers thousands, if not millions of years to break the strongest codes, but quantum computers threaten to crack through them in a fraction of the time. The National Science Foundation’s Thyaga Nandagopal explains where quantum efforts are now and where they’re going. Sponsored by Raytheon

A Quantum Leap

It’s a new year and we’re looking at a new Congress. We chat with Mike Hettinger about what the federal tech community needs to know about oversight, committee assignments and yes, the partial government shutdown. A few stories we mention during the show: How Midterms Shake Up Tech Oversight New Armed Services Chair Says He Will Fund Military, Not Drive Foreign Policy ‘Like McCain Did’ The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive — and It’s Hurting National Security

It’s a new year and we’re looking at a new Congress. We chat with Mike Hettinger about what the federal tech community needs to know about oversight, committee assignments and yes, the partial government shutdown. A few stories we mention during the show: <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2018/11/how-midterms-shake-tech-oversight/152657/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">How Midterms Shake Up Tech Oversight</a> <a href="https://www.defenseone.com/politics/2018/12/new-armed-services-chair-says-he-will-fund-military-not-drive-foreign-policy-mccain-did/153546/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">New Armed Services Chair Says He Will Fund Military, Not Drive Foreign Policy ‘Like McCain Did’</a> <a href="https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2018/10/pentagons-getting-more-secretive-and-its-hurting-national-security/152345/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive — and It’s Hurting National Security</a>

The New Congress (And a Shutdown) 

The U.S. Digital Service started in 2014 as a kind of tech SWAT team after the disastrous initial rollout of Healthcare.gov. But USDS isn’t the same as when it started. We chatted with USDS Administrator Matt Cutts about the current state—and future of—one of the high profile innovation programs in government. And by the way, USDS is hiring.

The U.S. Digital Service started in 2014 as a kind of tech SWAT team after the disastrous initial rollout of <a href="http://Healthcare.gov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>. But USDS isn’t the same as when it started. We chatted with USDS Administrator Matt Cutts about the current state—and future of—one of the high profile innovation programs in government. And by the way, <a href="https://www.usds.gov/apply" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USDS is hiring</a>.

At Your Digital Service, Part 1

Facebook’s mantra may be “move fast and break stuff” but the federal government doesn’t work like that. Change can be an uphill battle with regulations, compliance checklists and oversight often slowing things down even more. So what does innovation in government look like? Nextgov asked Alla Seiffert, director of cloud policy and counsel at the Internet Association, and Molly Cain, founder of GovCity, both former federal officials who had innovation in their titles.

Facebook’s mantra may be “move fast and break stuff” but the federal government doesn’t work like that. Change can be an uphill battle with regulations, compliance checklists and oversight often slowing things down even more. So what does innovation in government look like? Nextgov asked Alla Seiffert, director of cloud policy and counsel at the Internet Association, and Molly Cain, founder of GovCity, both former federal officials who had innovation in their titles.

The Innovators

Jim Langevin

Government agencies will always be a valuable target to hackers.The biggest problems—and fixes—in federal cybersecurity start at the top. Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus Co-founder Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., joined Critical Update to talk about what that leadership looks like and the impact of the  White House eliminating its cybersecurity coordinator. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

Government agencies will always be a valuable target to hackers.The biggest problems—and fixes—in federal cybersecurity start at the top. Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus Co-founder Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., joined Critical Update to talk about what that leadership looks like and the impact of the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2018/06/you-should-be-significantly-concerned-theres-no-white-house-cyber-coordinator-policy-experts-say/149411/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> White House eliminating its cybersecurity coordinator</a>. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

Assessing the Cybersecurity Landscape with Rep. Jim Langevin

In the late 1990s, Eric Schmieman, then-chief engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute, and his team were tapped to head to Chernobyl—the infamous site of the largest nuclear accident in history—to build a never-before-attempted containment system for the radioactive facility. The New Safe Confinement team faced difficult bureaucratic conditions left in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse plus other barriers that may sound familiar to many federal employees trying to solve problems in innovative ways.

In the late 1990s, Eric Schmieman, then-chief engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute, and his team were tapped to head to Chernobyl—the infamous site of the largest nuclear accident in history—to build a never-before-attempted containment system for the radioactive facility. The New Safe Confinement team faced difficult bureaucratic conditions left in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse plus other barriers that may sound familiar to many federal employees trying to solve problems in innovative ways.

Containing Chernobyl

The Defense Digital Service has a simple motto: Get shit done. But within the government's largest agency, that’s easier said than done. Nextgov’s Aaron Boyd talks to then-Director Chris Lynch (who announced he would leave government shortly after our interview) and former Chief of Staff and current Hack the Pentagon program manager Reina Staley about the projects and challenges the team has been working on since its inception in 2015.

The Defense Digital Service has a simple motto: Get shit done. But within the government's largest agency, that’s easier said than done. Nextgov’s Aaron Boyd talks to then-Director Chris Lynch (who announced he would leave government shortly after our interview) and former Chief of Staff and current Hack the Pentagon program manager Reina Staley about the projects and challenges the team has been working on since its inception in 2015.

Defense Digital Service: A New Hope

If 4G networks connected everyone, 5G promises to connect everything—self-driving cars, service robots, wearable devices and sensors. But with more connectivity comes greater cyber risk and serious national security questions about network infrastructure, including how Chinese telecoms fit in. Nextgov talks to former Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler, current FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and former National Security Council Senior Director for Strategic Planning Robert Spalding about risks, benefits and whether America can keep the edge it established during the 4G boom.   Sponsored by Raytheon

If 4G networks connected everyone, 5G promises to connect everything—self-driving cars, service robots, wearable devices and sensors. But with more connectivity comes greater cyber risk and serious national security questions about network infrastructure, including how Chinese telecoms fit in. Nextgov talks to former Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler, current FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and former National Security Council Senior Director for Strategic Planning Robert Spalding about risks, benefits and whether America can keep the edge it established during the 4G boom. Sponsored by Raytheon

The Hidden Threats of 5G

They say you catch more flies with honey, and a research team at Sandia National Laboratories has taken that to heart. The team—led by Vince Urias, a distinguished member of the technical staff, Caleb Loverro, principal member of the technical staff, and Will Stout, senior member of the technical staff—created a massive honeypot to lure hackers into a fake environment. From there, defenders can gain valuable insight into who is attacking the system and what they appear to be after.   Sponsored by Raytheon

They say you catch more flies with honey, and a research team at Sandia National Laboratories has taken that to heart. The team—led by Vince Urias, a distinguished member of the technical staff, Caleb Loverro, principal member of the technical staff, and Will Stout, senior member of the technical staff—created a massive honeypot to lure hackers into a fake environment. From there, defenders can gain valuable insight into who is attacking the system and what they appear to be after. Sponsored by Raytheon

How Hackers Get Stuck In HADES

Salary caps, lengthy onboarding and rigid career ladders have historically made it hard for federal agencies to recruit top cyber talent, and as threats increase, the competition is only going to get stiffer. Nextgov talks to Homeland Security Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer Angela Bailey and former undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate Suzanne Spaulding about the challenges the agency faces when recruiting cybersecurity pros and how officials have tried to overcome them.    Sponsored by Raytheon

Salary caps, lengthy onboarding and rigid career ladders have historically made it hard for federal agencies to recruit top cyber talent, and as threats increase, the competition is only going to get stiffer. Nextgov talks to Homeland Security Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer Angela Bailey and former undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate Suzanne Spaulding about the challenges the agency faces when recruiting cybersecurity pros and how officials have tried to overcome them.  Sponsored by Raytheon

The Defender’s Dilemma

The U.S. Digital Service doesn’t work on just one project: Its teams tackle governmentwide projects and drop in to help with specific agency tasks. Nextgov’s Aaron Boyd talked to Director of Engineering David Holmes, software engineer Alberto Colon Viera, and digital service experts Misu Tasnim and Scott Haselton to learn how they push the government’s old systems to modern technology and how they build partnerships with federal employees.

The U.S. Digital Service doesn’t work on just one project: Its teams tackle governmentwide projects and drop in to help with specific agency tasks. Nextgov’s Aaron Boyd talked to Director of Engineering David Holmes, software engineer Alberto Colon Viera, and digital service experts Misu Tasnim and Scott Haselton to learn how they push the government’s old systems to modern technology and how they build partnerships with federal employees.

At Your Digital Service, Part 2

In the latest episode of Critical Update, USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Bill Northey, joins Nextgov’s Brandi Vincent to highlight how the agency is leveraging new technologies to enhance its service to farmers and producers across America. For Northey, such an endeavor—continuing to operate while simultaneously making improvements and introducing new tech—is “like driving a car down the road 70 miles an hour and changing your tire at the same time.”  You can read more about USDA’s modernization efforts and its centerpiece—Farmers.gov—on Nextgov.

In the latest episode of Critical Update, USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Bill Northey, joins Nextgov’s Brandi Vincent to highlight how the agency is leveraging new technologies to enhance its service to farmers and producers across America. For Northey, such an endeavor—continuing to operate while simultaneously making improvements and introducing new tech—is “like driving a car down the road 70 miles an hour and changing your tire at the same time.” You can read more about USDA’s modernization efforts and its centerpiece—<a href="http://Farmers.gov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Farmers.gov</a>—<a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2019/05/inside-usdas-farmer-first-approach-digital-transformation/157385/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on Nextgov</a>.

Improving the Tech That Feeds America

Suzette Kent was named the federal CIO in February, chosen to lead the government’s IT efforts. In the Trump administration, those efforts are focused squarely on modernization: upgrading the government’s aging IT systems in the name of cost-savings, security and to better provide services to the customer, who is often the citizen. Kent joined Nextgov Senior Editor Aaron Boyd on Critical Update to discuss the challenges government faces in modernizing its IT, the lessons she’s brought from the private sector, what it means to lead an IT enterprise and what success will look like. Read more about  the IT modernization push, the  Technology Modernization Fund Board, which Kent chairs, and the administration’s  whole-of-government approach to technology.

Suzette Kent was named the federal CIO in February, chosen to lead the government’s IT efforts. In the Trump administration, those efforts are focused squarely on modernization: upgrading the government’s aging IT systems in the name of cost-savings, security and to better provide services to the customer, who is often the citizen. Kent joined Nextgov Senior Editor Aaron Boyd on Critical Update to discuss the challenges government faces in modernizing its IT, the lessons she’s brought from the private sector, what it means to lead an IT enterprise and what success will look like. Read more about <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/03/heres-what-agencies-could-spend-it-modernization-2018-omnibus/146878/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> the IT modernization push</a>, the <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/04/federal-cio-modernization-board-wants-more-proposals-and-heres-what-it-needs/147705/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Technology Modernization Fund Board</a>, which Kent chairs, and the administration’s <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/03/presidents-management-agenda-all-about-it-modernization/146818/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> whole-of-government approach to technology</a>.

Innovating from the Top

The Homeland Security Department plays a critical role in cybersecurity. The agency not only oversees cybersecurity for the entire civilian government, but it gives cyber help to other industries as well. Nextgov Senior Correspondent Joseph Marks and Homeland Security’s cyber lead Jeanette Manfra discuss how to protect election systems from hacking, forging new alliances with industry, and the importance of a diverse and inclusive cyber workforce. Show notes: At RSA,  Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen promised the U.S. would strike back against cyberattacks. The agency also announced its  security as a service program for industry partners.    Here’s that Government Accountability Office report that says only 11 percent of industry cyber pros are women. Meanwhile, women represent about 30 percent of the federal IT—not just cyber—workforce, though that  number has decreased.   This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

The Homeland Security Department plays a critical role in cybersecurity. The agency not only oversees cybersecurity for the entire civilian government, but it gives cyber help to other industries as well. Nextgov Senior Correspondent Joseph Marks and Homeland Security’s cyber lead Jeanette Manfra discuss how to protect election systems from hacking, forging new alliances with industry, and the importance of a diverse and inclusive cyber workforce. Show notes: At RSA, <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2018/04/dhs-secretary-promises-us-will-strike-back-against-cyber-adversaries/147521/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen promised the U.S. would strike back against cyberattacks</a>. The agency also announced its <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2018/04/dhs-might-provide-cyber-services-directly-industry-under-new-strategy/147502/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> security as a service program</a> for industry partners.   Here’s that <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-69" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Government Accountability Office report</a> that says only 11 percent of industry cyber pros are women. Meanwhile, women represent about 30 percent of the federal IT—not just cyber—workforce, though that <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2018/01/5-tips-stop-backslide-women-government-tech/145530/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> number has decreased</a>. This episode is underwritten by Leidos.

Bonus Episode: Facing a Growing Cyber Threat

The use of social media could mark as fundamental a change to the way we conduct politics and conflict as the telegram, telephone and television did in earlier centuries, Peter Singer writes in his new book “LikeWar.” But federal agencies and executives face a slow learning curve—and that has major consequences.     For more on Singer's book, visit likewarbook.com.

The use of social media could mark as fundamental a change to the way we conduct politics and conflict as the telegram, telephone and television did in earlier centuries, Peter Singer writes in his new book “LikeWar.” But federal agencies and executives face a slow learning curve—and that has major consequences.   For more on Singer's book, visit <a href="http://likewarbook.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">likewarbook.com</a>.

What Government Doesn’t Get About the Social Media War

We talk to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell about how they’re using 3D printing in the field to get the warfighter everything they need—from buckles to barracks. It’s one of the bold innovations in government that you can catch at our live event, the Bold Showcase on Oct. 11. You can find all the details on this year’s Bold Showcase at  www.govexec.com/feature/fedstival-2018-boldthursday.

We talk to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell about how they’re using 3D printing in the field to get the warfighter everything they need—from buckles to barracks. It’s one of the bold innovations in government that you can catch at our live event, the Bold Showcase on Oct. 11. You can find all the details on this year’s Bold Showcase at <a href="http://www.govexec.com/feature/fedstival-2018-boldthursday" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> www.govexec.com/feature/fedstival-2018-boldthursday</a>.

Oorah, 3D printing

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