The concept that federal information technology (IT) procurement should be technology and vendor neutral is among the best practices for federal government agencies. However, when a large federal agency issues an exceptionally large cloud contract to a predetermined vendor for a specific technology solution without competitive bidding, such a contract is neither technology nor vendor […]
Getting Ready for 5G
There are several technologies being considered for developing the next generation of communications infrastructure. Among those being studied and deployed are the use of TV white spaces for rural broadband connectivity; wireless fixed broadband initiatives; satellite broadband, and the development of fifth generation (5G) technologies for mobile communications. According to a March 12, 2018 study […]
An Open Internet Excludes Net Neutrality
There is a huge misunderstanding regarding net neutrality. Silicon Valley dot-coms and big e-commerce corporations are pushing the idea that the Restoring Internet Freedom Order approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 14, 2017 somehow rolled back protections for consumers, and will lead to the end of the internet as we know it. But, it did nothing of the sort. It simply rolled back the heavy hand of government over the internet, and restored consumer protection to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which was stripped out by the 2015 Open Internet Order.
Microsoft/Ireland Case Poses Opportunity for Congress
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have a hard time agreeing on anything. But, they might concur that it is not appropriate for law enforcement officials to order a cloud services provider to turn over customer data stored in another country without that country’s permission. In December 2013, a federal district court judge in New York […]
Reducing Government’s Footprint on the Music Industry
On January 28, 2018, the music industry will gather at the Grammy Awards. Country legends, pop artists, classical musicians, producers, and songwriters will be among those recognized for their innovation in music and sound. While the Grammys celebrate their accomplishments, many of these music creators do not receive just compensation for their hard work and […]
The Sky is Not Falling, and the World isn’t Going to End
The sign that appears in quaint shops and businesses across the country, “Keep Calm and Carry On,” originated from a 1939 British motivational poster. This applies universally and over time; it is particularly relevant in a world that responds instantaneously to social media and “news.” The best example of when this axiom should apply is […]
The Highs and Lows of the 2018 NDAA
On November 16, 2017, the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2018 was sent to President Trump to sign into law after swiftly passing both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The NDAA authorizes defense spending levels and prioritizes how the money will be spent at the […]
The Waning Days of a Technology Mandate
Good news may be on the horizon for car owners across the country, with a possible roll-back of a technology mandate that would have forced car manufacturers to install a vehicle-to-vehicle device that has already been outstripped by new technologies. On November 1, 2017 U.S. News and World Reports stated that the Office of Management […]
Serving Our National Security on a Silver Platter: Open Source Code in the 2018 NDAA
Deep in the depths of the Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, provisions have been injected that could harm already vulnerable Department of Defense (DOD) information technology (IT) systems and place national security at risk. Sections 881-886 of the NDAA pave the way for the DOD to use open source […]
Bill Addresses International Challenges to Online Privacy
American businesses have taken the lead in cloud computing technologies, enabling citizens around the world to communicate with each other, store photos, videos, and documents with greater security and at lower costs. However, as this technology continues to evolve, challenges in protecting individual privacy become more evident, including data of U.S. citizens that is stored […]