Digital Government

How the federal CIO is prepping for the presidential transition

Cybersecurity, customer experience and effective transition efforts have been top-of-mind for Clare Matorana in the last days of the Biden administration.

People

Senate confirms Biden’s ethics czar, who will remain under Trump

Senate Democrats use dwindling floor time to confirm a new head for the government's ethics office, with whom Trump administration often butted heads in his first term.

Cybersecurity

FCC to soon announce lead administrator for cyber assurance program

More information will also be unveiled during the 2025 CES, Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger said.

Artificial Intelligence

DHS releases guidance for AI in critical infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security worked with its diverse AI Safety and Security Board to develop a holistic approach for securing critical infrastructure that leverages AI technologies.

Ideas

EDR and cyber logging: Preparing for the next big cybersecurity guidance

Insufficient logging hampers an organization’s ability to detect intrusions, mitigate those in progress and determine the extent of an incident.

People

CISA Director Jen Easterly to depart on Inauguration Day

Easterly and Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan are set to leave as an administration change casts doubt on the agency’s future. 

Cybersecurity

HHS has still not addressed key cyber recommendations, GAO says

The Government Accountability Office said its unaddressed cyber guidance can result “in potential adverse impact on healthcare providers and patient care.”

Artificial Intelligence

House AI Task Force wants to marry light touch regulations with sector-specific policy

Members of the bipartisan House AI Task Force discussed their priorities for artificial intelligence-focused legislation and how that might impact regulations.

People

Major federal IT contracts to remove ‘unnecessary’ degree requirements

The push to focus on skills-based hiring for federal jobs dates back to the first Trump administration. The Biden White House has continued these efforts.

Defense

DOD issues private 5G deployment guide for military bases 

The Department of Defense said it anticipates most military installations will use commercial 5G solutions but that “under certain circumstances, commercial networks may not fulfill an installation's requirements.”

People

Trump taps Fox host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary

The combat veteran and “anti-woke” crusader lacks senior military or national-security experience.

Digital Government

Satisfaction with government hits record high just before a new Trump admin 

The incoming Trump administration casts an uncertain light on the customer experience gains made in recent years.

Ideas

The Wild West of space: Can government IT tame the risks?

A multi-pronged strategy to deal with the risks is a good idea.

People

TTS director Ann Lewis to depart

Lewis focused on modernization and artificial intelligence solutions during her tenure.

Digital Government

VA proposes funding telehealth access points at non-VA facilities

The VA is looking to expand access to virtual healthcare consults by funding the creation of such access points at non-VA facilities in rural or medically underserved areas.

Cybersecurity

US still backs UN cyber pact, but final approval awaits human rights safeguards

Some fear the convention would help legitimize authoritarian nations’ surveillance policies. The U.S. won’t formally ratify it until it sees human rights assurances.

Acquisition

Groundswell claims the Army wanted Accenture to win the $1B EBS-C competition

The company's lawsuit alleges the evaluation process was changed midstream to favor Accenture for the contract to consolidate several Army business and logistics systems.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

DHS issues internal comms guidance amid telecom breach investigation

The DHS Cyber Safety Review Board is already slated to investigate the hacking collective, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and its intrusion into telecommunications firms and wiretap infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says

The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.