Author Archive

Frank Konkel

Vice President, Editorial

Frank Konkel
Frank Konkel is vice president of editorial and an editor at large for Nextgov/FCW. He writes about the intersection of government and technology. Frank began covering tech in 2013 upon moving to the Washington, D.C., area after getting his start in journalism working at local and state issues at daily newspapers in his home state of Michigan. Frank was born and raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Michigan State University.
Cloud & Infrastructure

Microsoft unveils OpenAI service for government customers

Microsoft is opening up its commercial generative AI technology to public sector customers and partners.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Survey: 45% of gov employees may walk if agencies reduce remote work flexibility

The survey suggests more than half of government employees prefer to work for an agency that offers hybrid and remote flexibility.

Emerging Tech

3 in 4 Americans worry AI will take their jobs

A Forbes survey indicates Americans are growing more alarmed about artificial intelligence for a variety of reasons.

Cybersecurity

Senator calls for cybersecurity audit of law enforcement wireless network

FirstNet is a cellular network built for first responders around the country, but at least one federal official told the senator’s office they had “no confidence” in the network’s security.

Public Safety

Report: 6 keys for successful government crisis contact centers

When natural disasters or emergencies arise, agencies must be able to respond effectively to public inquiry, and technology is key.

Cybersecurity

Survey: CIOs feel elevated, consider themselves ‘changemakers’

The survey found more than 3 in 4 chief information officers believe their roles have been elevated in response to recent economic times.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers intro bill to ban TikTok in U.S.

TikTok poses a national security threat, according to lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.

Emerging Tech

49% of tech pros believe AI poses ‘existential threat’ to humanity, per report

Others believe artificial intelligence will be a necessary component of most major business strategies in the near future.

Emerging Tech

Report: Empathetic tech can improve the government contact center experience

Pairing artificial intelligence with human-centered design principles can improve callers’ experience and attitudes regarding the automated systems and agencies employing them.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Google bets big on government business with new division

Google Public Sector aims to accelerate digital transformation for federal, state and local governments, as well as educational institutions.

Cybersecurity

Strategy aims to secure grid and strengthen cyber resilience

Incorporating cyber technology early in the engineering process will help the energy industry reduce risk from foreign actors, according to a new report from the Department of Energy.

Cybersecurity

CISOs think they aren’t getting enough cyber investment, survey says

The survey indicates cyber concerns do not always resonate with C-suite decision makers.

Public Safety

Delivering emergency alerts to vehicle infotainment systems

Drivers may soon receive real-time emergency and fire alerts and improved evacuation routing on their vehicles' infotainment systems.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Federal broadband strategies 'fragmented and overlapping,' GAO says

Millions of Americans still lack broadband internet, despite efforts of than 100 programs administered by 15 agencies, the Government Accountability Office reported.

Cybersecurity

Agencies lack data on ransomware payments

A new report details the role cryptocurrencies play in incentivizing ransomware attacks and the government’s response.