Artificial Intelligence

Regulators Want to Know How Financial Institutions Use AI and How They’re Mitigating Risks

Five federal agencies will publish a request for information Wednesday seeking feedback on 17 specific questions.

Ideas

Getting and Growing the Cyber Workforce You Need for 2021—and Beyond

It’s no secret that the competition for cyber talent is stiff. With a 0% unemployment rate and nearly 400K open positions across the U.S., federal agencies must reinvent their cyber employee experience. 

Digital Government

Third Defense Audit Shows Some Progress, Watchdog Says

Some components are performing better, but overall, the department’s books still don’t add up.

Digital Government

OMB Restores Agency CX Guidance Eliminated Under Trump

The guidance had been eliminated by the Trump administration during the lame-duck session in late December.

Modernization

Your Streaming Binge Could Soon Be Interrupted by Emergency Alerts and Tests

The FCC is in the early stages of investigating how audio and video streaming platforms would participate in the Emergency Alert System.

Emerging Tech

Watchdog to Review How Postal Inspectors Handle Cryptocurrency

Digital currencies have already been seized by the law enforcement arm in previous investigations.

Ideas

Lessons From 30 Years of Government Reform Efforts

There’s much that newcomers to government should learn from the past.

Policy

Buttigieg Underscores Urgency of Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Republican lawmakers are skeptical of the scope of the Biden administration’s planned infrastructure package, which the president is expected to provide more details on next week.

Cybersecurity

FedRAMP Outlines Requirements for Using Containers

Container technology allows operability across operating systems and faster development but is a primary security concern for implementers. 

Digital Government

Which Federal Agencies Are Giving Their Contractors Access to COVID-19 Vaccines?

Agencies are taking different approaches to inoculating their contract employees, even though—as one trade association executive put it—“The virus doesn’t care whether someone is wearing a blue government badge or green contractor badge.” 

Cybersecurity

Director Says NSA’s Domestic Surveillance Authority ‘Rightly’ Limited

Gen. Paul Nakasone, who oversees both the intelligence agency and U.S. Cyber Command, stressed the need for greater visibility through private-sector information streams.

Digital Government

Biden Commits to Investing ‘Closer to 2%’ of GDP in Science Research

The president referenced infrastructure, immigration, quantum computing and much more in his first formal press conference.

Digital Government

Biden Administration Issues New Guidance Instructing Agencies to Start Tracking Goals Again

White House reversed last-minute Trump policy to end the practice of developing and monitoring agency objectives.

Cybersecurity

Energy Launches Supply Chain Program As Watchdog Called for More Action 

The Energy Department has been focused on securing the generation and transmission of power, but distribution processes are also increasingly vulnerable.

Emerging Tech

Republican Lawmakers Push for Billions in Boosts to Science Agency Budgets

Their re-introduced bill also calls for a national S&T strategy—and new requirements, including a supply chain-tracking database.

Ideas

People Gave Up on Flu Pandemic Measures a Century Ago When They Tired of Them – and Paid a Price

If we have anything to learn from the history of the 1918 influenza pandemic, it is that a premature return to pre-pandemic life risks more cases and more deaths.

Digital Government

Senate Bill Would Force Companies to Safeguard Consumer Data

The bill outlines “reasonable” duties of care, loyalty and confidentiality for companies to follow or face fines.

Cybersecurity

New Software Vendor Standards Coming Within Weeks, CISA Head Says 

The White House is leading an interagency effort focused on software development that will determine federal procurement of information technology.

Cybersecurity

CISA Will Use New Authority Over Internet Service Providers to Fight Ransomware, Official Says

Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales praised the government’s coordination absent a national cyber director.