Cybersecurity

Number of Foreign Companies Within Defense Supply Chain Grew Over Past Decade, Report Says

Reliance on foreign suppliers in the defense industrial base rose—notably in packaged software and IT services—even as calls for reshoring increase, according to a new report.

Policy

CBP Shifts to Enterprise Approach to Manage Phone Searches at U.S. Borders

The agency uses metadata to create a system of record for electronic device searches but agents may be able to access information irrelevant to their cases. 

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Wants Contractor Feedback on Rule Change that Bans Certain Chinese Firms

A provision of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act banning agencies from contracting with companies doing business with Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE now takes effect.

Emerging Tech

New Coalition Wants to Help in Fight Against Election Misinformation

The Election Integrity Partnership consists of university researchers and others. Local election officials are among those the partnership is hoping to assist in the weeks ahead.

Emerging Tech

Do All Face Masks Offer Similar Protection? New Test Offers A Way to Compare

The limited findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of neck gaiters and bandanas in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Digital Government

OMB Makes Major Changes to Agency Guidance on Customer Experience

The Office of Management and Budget updated its Circular A-11 guidance for agencies this month, including an expanded definition of customer experience itself.

Cybersecurity

GAO to Suggest More than 100 Ways to Secure Federal IT Supply Chains

An upcoming GAO report will provide recommendations for civilian federal agencies to secure their global supply chains.

Emerging Tech

DOD Releases Prime Airwaves for Commercial 5G Networks

Amid criticism, officials said 100 megahertz of federal midband spectrum will be transferred to commercial users at an unprecedented pace.

Emerging Tech

White House Council Seeks Input on Plan to Invest in Alternatives to GPS

The request for information flows from an executive order on the responsible use of positioning, navigation and timing services.

Digital Government

U.S., International Lawmakers Push Facebook to Stop Online Hate Targeting Women

The social media giant must more aggressively enforce rules that it already has in place, they said.

Artificial Intelligence

Report Recommends Doubling Federal Funding for AI Research

A new report from Reps. Will Hurd, R-Texas, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill., calls for increased funding and stronger federal leadership on artificial intelligence development.

Cybersecurity

CISA Finalized Directive on Vulnerability Disclosure Policies, Congressman Says 

The binding operational directive would create a legal path for ethical hackers to report website vulnerabilities to government agencies.

Digital Government

Court Dismisses Union’s Lawsuit Over Federal Employees’ Right to Talk ‘Impeachment’ and 'Resistance'  

Last year the American Federation of Government Employees sued the Office of Special Counsel over its Hatch Act guidance. 

Policy

Democratic Senators Join Industry Groups in Calls to Extend CARES Act Funding Authority for Contractors

Industry groups are asking for an extension for the authority to reimburse defense contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modernization

5 Ways the FITARA Scorecard May Evolve 

Ten scorecards later, lawmakers and experts are looking for new ways to update the metrics on which agencies are graded.

Cybersecurity

More Federal Funds Could Help Small Jurisdictions With Technical Tools to Secure Elections, Expert Says

The potential for disinformation to disrupt the process casts a shadow on significant improvements made since 2016.