Cybersecurity

Federal Cyber Leaders Emphasize Standards Development for Stronger Networks

The critical infrastructure experts upheld common cybersecurity standards as a key to resilient networks and private sector collaboration.

Artificial Intelligence

FDA Seeks Insight into How AI can Help and Hurt Drug-Making

The Food and Drug Administration is seeking public feedback amid its efforts to balance the advantages and risks of deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning into drug creation and approval processes.

Cybersecurity

HHS Launches New Cybersecurity Awareness Resources

The Department of Health and Human Services issued three new online resources for health care entities to fortify their digital networks.

Policy

Proposed HIPAA Rule Would Restrict Law Enforcement Access to Abortion, Reproductive Health Data Across State Lines

The HHS published a proposed modification to HIPAA’s privacy rule, giving new protections to personal health information related to reproductive care history in the wake of Dobbs and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Digital Government

CDC Seeks Digital Health App for Its Employees

The mobile application should provide meditation and mindfulness activities to help employees manage stress.

Cybersecurity

CISA, South Korean Agencies Issue Joint Warning on North Korean Ransomware

The new cybersecurity advisory spotlights North Korean-backed actors targeting healthcare networks with ransomware.

Digital Government

New Health-Focused Advanced Research Agency Seeks $500M in Technical Support

The Health and Human Services Department’s version of DARPA—ARPA-H—is setting up a wide-ranging contract for support staff.

Digital Government

NIH’s Governmentwide IT Acquisition Center Appoints Permanent Director

Brian Goodger, who has served as acting director of the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center since 2021, will now helm the center in a permanent capacity.

Emerging Tech

FDA Set to Issue Final Rule Classifying VR Therapy Device for Pain Relief

The FDA said the class II designation for AppliedVR’s virtual reality medical device for the treatment of chronic lower back pain will “enhance patients’ access to beneficial innovation.”

Digital Government

CDC Wants Real-time Data on COVID, Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

The public health agency aims to increase its use of real-time data to track the effectiveness of respiratory vaccines and is looking for possible vendor solutions.

Cybersecurity

CMS Subcontractor Breach Potentially Exposes Sensitive Data of 254,000 Customers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid said the breach involved a subcontractor that appears to have violated its obligations to the agency.

Emerging Tech

GAO: Agencies Need to Conduct Cyber Risk Assessments of IoT, OT Devices in Critical Infrastructure Sectors

A Government Accountability Office report found that the agencies responsible for managing infrastructure in the healthcare and public health, energy and transportation sectors need to better assess their cyber risk mitigation strategies.

Cybersecurity

CISA to Focus on Water, Education and Health Sectors Over the Next Year 

The agency contributed to the release of security requirements for the transportation sector this week and is expected to issue cross-sector performance goals for critical infrastructure companies’ voluntary adoption next week.

Cybersecurity

4 Critical Infrastructure Sectors to Get New Cyber Rules, Per White House Official

The deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging tech said it should be up to sector-specific agencies to decide who should  implement appropriate cybersecurity defenses.

Artificial Intelligence

Federal Agencies Pledge Support For Biden’s AI Framework

Absent enforceability, public agencies and leadership plan on developing similar AI guidance and protocols to ensure accountable usage and design.

Exclusive Digital Government

'All Options Are on the Table,' HHS Privacy Official Doubles Down on Data Protection

The HHS’s Office of Civil Rights is focusing on guidance and stakeholder coordination to enforce reproductive health data post Roe v. Wade.

Digital Government

HHS Needs to Ensure Telehealth Patients and Providers Understand Privacy Risks

An oversight report underscored the need for improved patient privacy and security disclosures following the pandemic-related telehealth boom.

Digital Government

Public Health Data Still Facing Challenges Despite Previous Recommendations, Watchdog Says

The Government Accountability Office highlighted deficiencies in common data standards, interoperability and public health IT infrastructure.