Author Archive
Aaron Boyd
Aaron Boyd is an award-winning journalist currently serving as senior editor for technology and events at Nextgov. He primarily covers federal government IT contracting and cybersecurity issues affecting both civilian and defense agencies. As a lifelong nerd and policy wonk, he feels right at home covering the intersection of technology and policy in the nation's capital.
Management
Thermal Body Scans Being Tested at Pedestrian Border Crossings
Customs and Border Protection is piloting the Pedestrian Detection-at-Range system to identify illegal or dangerous items being smuggled through ports of entry.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need
The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
What We Know About the SolarWinds Breach
The White House invoked Presidential Policy Directive-41 to coordinate a "whole of government" response.
- By Aaron Boyd, Heather Kuldell and Mila Jasper
Workforce
Biden Team Tries Recruiting Tech Workers Through Source Code
If you find the hidden message, you might be someone the incoming administration wants to hire.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
NIH to Study How Much (More) Americans Are Drinking Alcohol During Pandemic
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism contracted for a second study to get better data about how the pandemic is affecting Americans’ drinking habits.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
Federal Government to Offer $10M to Research Covid Spread on Public Transportation
Major cities could be excluded from receiving grants for “permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction,” per a presidential memo cited in the funding opportunity.
- By Aaron Boyd
Workforce
The Federal Government Releases Tips For Secure Teleworking
The short guide from CISA offers quick tips and links to deeper resources for employees at every level.
- By Aaron Boyd
Management
While You're Watching Super Bowl LIII, DHS and Atlanta Will Be Watching You
Federal and local law enforcement are combining efforts—and technology assets—to secure the biggest sports event of the year.
- By Aaron Boyd
Infrastructure
Plan to Dumb-Down the Power Grid In Name of Cybersecurity Passes Senate
The bill would establish and fund a public-private partnership to look at retro, analog options for securing the nation’s electric grid from digital threats.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
How FEMA Could Help Avoid Another Missile Alert Mishap
State and local authorities are responsible for sending and rescinding alerts but FEMA can—and says it will—require the underlying infrastructure be more user-friendly.
- By Aaron Boyd
Management
FEMA Wants a New Way to Verify Survivors After Disasters
The new system will need to handle up to 750,000 cases at the same time to ensure survivors get what they need while fraudsters get shut out.
- By Aaron Boyd
Management
D.C. Airport First In Nation to Catch Suspected Imposter Using Facial Biometrics
After three days of operation, Washington Dulles International Airport’s biometric cameras identified a man allegedly attempting to use someone else’s passport to enter the U.S.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
Senators Want to Double Funding for Putting Commercial Drones in the Air
A bipartisan amendment would double 2019 funding for FAA’s efforts to integrate drones into national airspace.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
Two Companies Picked to Protect Nation’s 600 Dams From Cyberattacks
The Interior Department awarded spots on a five-year, $45 million contract to manage IT risk for more than 600 dams nationwide.
- By Aaron Boyd
Digital Government
Georgia’s National Guard Unit Wants Some Help Prepping for a Big Cyber Test
The Georgia Army National Guard has a cyber readiness inspection coming up and wants a contractor to spend the summer helping it get ready.
- By Aaron Boyd
Emerging Tech
Americans Say They’re Ready for Robots to Deliver the Mail
A survey conducted by the Postal Service inspector general polled citizens on how they would feel if a robot delivered the mail with—or instead of—a human.
- By Aaron Boyd