Michael J. Keegan

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protects our nation’s borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, and illegal migration while simultaneously facilitating the flow of lawful travel and trade. Its mission is vitally important for the protection of the country and the national economy.

Federal Employees Teleworked More During COVID-19, But What Does the Future of Work Look Like? When COVID-19 struck, many offices and businesses allowed their employees to work from home or telework. But what do we know about the challenges telework has presented to federal agencies and staff, and what could the future of telework activities look like?

Today, the nation faces a range of diverse threats and challenges. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues to play a leading role in battling the pandemic, securing the border, and implementing our immigration laws, strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity, building greater resilience and preparedness, and so much more. Now the third largest department in the U.S. federal government, DHS meets its mission with an annual budget of $49.8 billion and the dedication of more than 240,000 employees. One of its most important duties is to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars.

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how Americans live. In almost the blink of an eye, the pandemic changed shopping, dining, socializing, travel, and most assuredly the world of work.

Before the pandemic, there had been a slow but steady growth in the number of workers who performed their jobs remotely. Such work arrangements went by various labels, from remote work to distance work to telecommuting or telework. While predictions that much work could be done anywhere arose, the COVID-19 pandemic took remote work to a whole new level as a necessity.

It’s Time to Bridge the Divide Separating Policymakers and Researchers. The President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Learning Agenda released by OMB soliciting insights from industry and academics provides the perfect opportunity for government officials and public policy researchers to help one another solve pressing problems.

Since NASA’s inception, scientific discovery has been an enduring mission of the agency. NASA conducts scientific exploration, gazing out into the galaxy and beyond, seeking to discover the secrets of the universe, searching for life in the solar system, and protecting and improving life on Earth. It leads innovative and sustainable programs of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system—and bring new knowledge and opportunities back to Earth.

Improving the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems.

Events of the last couple years have put a renewed emphasis on the importance of being resilient. Leaders and the organizations they lead have been walloped by the unforgiving realities of disruption and uncertainty. Often in the mist of responding to the unforeseen doing all one can to operate, meet expectations, follow through on commitments, and deliver on missions there is little time to reflect, to take stock, or to gain perspective. When faced with the unexpected reflex and instinct seem to be what leaders and organizations alike rely on to weather the turbulence.

Making the Customer Service Executive Order Really Work. Among the keys: making permanent the flexibility to pursue innovation through technology and multi-sector partnerships. As with any major reform effort, success will be defined in many ways and determined by many factors. But clearly, early and quick “wins” are critical. The good news is that, despite the complexity of many of the challenges, the opportunities for those wins are available.

The Defense Innovation Unit, DIU, is the only U.S. Department of Defense organization focused exclusively on fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military to help it solve critical problems and build a force for the future today.