Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Look to Give NTIA More Cybersecurity Responsibilities

During a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, witnesses drew attention to the absence of a permanent leader at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Digital Government

OMB Offers New Guidance For Implementing First Part of Evidence Act

The office repeatedly urged agencies to focus on results, not compliance, as they craft their plans. 

Emerging Tech

Watchdog: 10 Government Agencies Deployed Clearview AI Facial Recognition Tech

A Government Accountability Office report details how agencies used different versions of the biometric technology during the pandemic and protests.

Digital Government

NASA Ranks as the Best Place to Work in Government for Ninth Year

The federal government still has “a lot of work to do to improve its competitiveness with the private sector as an employer of choice,” head of the nonprofit that released the rankings says. 

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker, Tech Companies Clash on Software Transparency Requirements

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has defined "critical software" in accordance with an executive order to institute procurement standards federal agencies must follow.    

Ideas

Leveraging Encryption Keys to Better Secure the Federal Cloud 

In the same way we use a key to lock valuable assets in a safe deposit box, agencies can lock up encryption keys.

Digital Government

Pentagon May Be Underestimating IT Investment Risks, GAO Says

The Government Accountability Office evaluated 10 programs at a higher risk level than what was reported by DOD, according to a new report.

Cybersecurity

Bill Would Create Cyber Workforce Training Programs at CISA and VA

The two programs would look to increase the pool of cybersecurity experts for the public and private sectors, but with a focus on preparing trainees for federal jobs.

Digital Government

Top Republican Calls for IG Investigations Into Feds’ Telework Productivity During Pandemic

An oversight subcommittee ranking member, Jody Hice, blasted the White House for seeking a permanent increase in federal remote work without first seeking more data about the impact on agency missions.

Artificial Intelligence

Deputy Defense Secretary Says US Needs to Defend Its Artificial Intelligence Better

AI safety is often overlooked in the private sector, but Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks wants the Defense Department to lead a cultural change.

Digital Government

Defense Digital Service Director Used Signal App In Violation of Pentagon Policy, IG Says

The DOD Office of Inspector General found evidence that outgoing DDS Director Brett Goldstein also encouraged subordinates to use the encrypted messaging app.

Digital Government

Advocacy Group Asks Biden Administration to Consider 7 Reforms for Governmentwide Contracts

A group of federal contractors want to see the governmentwide acquisition contract, or GWAC, program process improved for innovative and non-traditional vendors.

Emerging Tech

U.S. Needs Tech Agency to Compete with China, Think Tank Says

The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act is just a first step when it comes to competition with China, according to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

Digital Government

Most Federal Employees Will Receive Friday Off for Juneteenth

President Biden signed a bill Thursday afternoon making the anniversary of the end of slavery a federal holiday, and OPM confirmed that federal workers will have Friday off.

Modernization

HHS Puts Up $80M to Increase Number and Diversity of Health IT Workforce

The four-year effort will focus on improving data collection—especially around race and ethnicity—and training a more diverse health informatics and technology workforce.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Renew Effort to Ban Federal Agencies from Using Facial Recognition Tech

The reintroduced bill would prohibit agencies from using biometric tech and block federal funds for biometric surveillance systems.