Author Archive
Frank Konkel
Vice President, Editorial

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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Energy sets aside $550 million for state and local clean energy efforts
The money is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
Cloud & Infrastructure
Survey: performance, pressure have increased among remote government employees during COVID
The survey also revealed managers seem to trust employees to perform more in virtual environments.
- By Frank Konkel
Cloud & Infrastructure
Verizon to improve internet connectivity at 80 Native American schools
The high-speed internet will benefit 64 reservations.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
Microsoft: Russia stepping up hacking, cyber penetration efforts on 42 Ukraine allies
Almost one in three detected Russian attacks are successful, Microsoft said.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
Cloud & Infrastructure
Report: Hybrid workforce is making public sector IT management more difficult
The trend toward more remote work is challenging public sector IT professionals.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
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.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
Agencies lack data on ransomware payments
A new report details the role cryptocurrencies play in incentivizing ransomware attacks and the government’s response.
- By Frank Konkel