Policy

The Federal Tech Bills that Moved as Funding Legislation Stalled

New laws call on Homeland Security to consolidate its data and force agencies to improve their websites.

Modernization

DHS Turns to Existing GSA, NIH Contracts to (Mostly) Replace EAGLE

The department will use existing governmentwide acquisition contracts rather than recompete another EAGLE contract vehicle.

Artificial Intelligence

Google Created a ‘Responsible Innovation Team’ to Check If Its AI Is Ethical

It’s no longer left to individual programmers to decide on their own if something is designed ethically.

Emerging Tech

DHS Seeks National Security Tech from Small Businesses

Officials finalized the 10 focus areas for groups participating in next year’s Small Business Innovation Research program.

Artificial Intelligence

Homeland Security Delegation Visits Asia for Emerging Tech Ideas

An agency group is going abroad for ideas about 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity.

Digital Government

Congress Races to the Finish Line Amid Shutdown Threat

The Senate passed lots of tech-centric bills and set the stage for next year’s privacy debate.

Cybersecurity

The Government’s Bioterror-Response Website May Be Leaking Sensitive Data

Homeland Security inspectors and a whistleblower say the site, which would be used to coordinate federal responses to a bioterror attack, isn’t secure.

Emerging Tech

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Is Using Retinal Scans to Try to Catch Liars

The technology is supposedly faster, and cheaper, than traditional polygraph tests.

Cybersecurity

How DHS is Trying to Separate Quality Cyber Tools from Snake Oil

The department is investing in ways to do apples-to-apples comparisons of the many cyber solutions on the market.

Cybersecurity

CBP Officers Aren’t Deleting Data After Warrantless Device Searches, IG Says

An inspector general report found Border Patrol officers didn’t follow standard procedures during device searches, mostly because those procedures weren’t clearly laid out.

Emerging Tech

Who’s Tracking Your License Plate?

Automated license plate readers are collecting and sharing tons of data across state lines, according to records from nearly 200 police departments nationwide.

Emerging Tech

DHS Invests in 2 Companies for Data Privacy Tools

The awards are part of the department’s Data Privacy portfolio that focuses on sensors, autonomous systems and other emerging tech.

Cybersecurity

TSA Unveils Cybersecurity Roadmap

The agency identifies four priorities and six goals to address

Emerging Tech

DHS is Exploring How Blockchain Can Stop Counterfeits and Forgeries

The agency is funding research that uses blockchain to make sure people are who they claim to be.

Cybersecurity

Kaspersky Loses Appeal Against Congressional Ban

It’s official: Kaspersky can’t do business with the federal government.