Ideas

Cyberspace Is the Next Front in Iran-U.S. Conflict—and Private Companies May Bear the Brunt

Businesses are at high risk, and strict American criminal laws prohibit many forms of cyber self-defense by private companies.

Cybersecurity

CISA Says Agencies Have 10 Days to Patch NSA-Spotted Microsoft Vulnerability

The National Security Agency discovered and disclosed a severe flaw in Windows 10 to build trust with industry partners, an official said.

Ideas

Can the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program Secure a Cloud Smart Government?

The good news is that CDM is proactively reaching out to leading cloud service providers for soltuions.

Emerging Tech

DHS Kicks Off DNA Collection Program for Some Detainees at Border

Border agencies will send samples to the FBI’s databases for indefinite storage.

Cybersecurity

Homeland Security Releases TIC 3.0 Use Cases with Additional Guidance

The government’s cybersecurity department released a draft set of use cases and other guidance to help agencies build secure networks in the age of cloud and mobile.

Emerging Tech

Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report

A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.

Ideas

The State of Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation

Many agencies face the same challenges when trying to implement CDM capabilities.

Digital Government

Trump Announces Picks to Replace Outgoing Leaders at NSF, CISA

The administration plans to nominate a replacement for the National Science Foundation director and appoint a new assistant director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Cybersecurity

CISA Still Wants Your Thoughts on Its Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

The agency wants feedback on how the government should accept unsolicited bug reports.

Cybersecurity

Kansas Abandons Technology Trumpeted by Kris Kobach, Trump’s Onetime Voter Fraud Czar

The computer program, known as CrossCheck, matched various state voter rolls against each other to identify duplicate voters.

Digital Government

Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract

Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration. 

Emerging Tech

House Passes Bill that Mandates TSA to Study Emerging Transportation Security Threats

The legislation calls for a task force to look into emerging cyber, chemical, drone and other threats. 

Emerging Tech

TSA Isn’t Doing Enough To Ensure Screening Tech Continues Working Over Time, Watchdog Says

A report shows the airport security agency is good at building and deploying tech but doesn’t have a process to ensure those tools keep operating at a high level.

Emerging Tech

Customs Reverses Course on Mandatory Facial Scans for U.S. Citizens

After criticism from Congress and privacy advocates, the border security agency says it will pull back a proposed rule change.

Emerging Tech

CBP Starts Process to Include U.S. Citizens in Facial Recognition Program

A proposed rule change would no longer allow citizens and green card holders to opt-out of Customs and Border Protection’s biometrics program.

Modernization

IG: CBP Knew Its Tech Couldn’t Handle Family Separations Before Pushing Zero Tolerance Policy

The agency was made aware of significant data entry and tracking issues after a test in November 2017, then chose to ignore those problems.

Cybersecurity

Local Election Officials Can Get Free Election Auditing Software from the Feds

The open-source software is already being piloted in at least six states and officials say it can help authenticate results in 2020.

Cybersecurity

CISA Wants a Vulnerability Disclosure Program At Every Agency

The agency released a draft binding operational directive that would require all civilian agencies to receive and resolve vulnerabilities identified by public security researchers.

Modernization

After Two Years In Limbo, FEMA Cancels $250M IT Support Contract

The single-award contract was created to help the emergency management agency manage its IT. Now, that work will be spread across existing staff and contracts.

Digital Government

DHS Leadership Turnover Extends Beyond Secretary’s Office

The rotating cast of officials in top tech and cyber jobs could hinder the department’s ability to develop and execute a consistent digital strategy.