People

Trump says he’ll move thousands of federal workers out of Washington. Here’s what happened the first time he tried

The Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters moved from the capital to Colorado in 2020, causing an exodus of leadership. If elected, Trump plans to use the same tactic across more of the federal government.

Digital Government

Digital park passes could become reality under a new legislative proposal

The new, bipartisan recreation-focused package is aimed at cutting red tape around national parks and public land, its backers say.

Cybersecurity

Interior faces 'disturbing' cyber risks due to cracked passwords and vulnerable assets

Recent reports reveal the Department of Interior is not enforcing multifactor authentication for its high-value assets and has a range of other significant cybersecurity risks.

Emerging Tech

Interior Wants a Fleet of Drones ‘On Call’ to Help With Wildfires, Other Emergencies

The department is awarding multiple spots on a $7.2 million contract for unmanned aerial systems-as-a-service.

Cybersecurity

Interior’s Cyber Practices Allow for Easily Crackable Passwords, Watchdog Finds

An OIG investigation found that the Interior Department has not fully implemented multifactor authentication and that its “outdated and ineffective” password requirements leave employees’ accounts vulnerable to exploitation.

Digital Government

Fish and Wildlife Service Contract Aims to Help Show Impact of Grants

The contractor will help develop the agency’s internal system and use artificial intelligence to aggregate data.

Cybersecurity

Offshore Drilling Operations Vulnerable to Cyberattacks, Watchdog Warns

The Government Accountability Office made a new case for improving the cybersecurity safeguards within offshore drilling and natural gas facilities. 

Policy

Interior’s Body Camera Policy is not Finalized Despite Years of Use, Watchdog Says

Not all Department of Interior bureaus using body cameras have finalized and implemented their policies, which often were not in compliance with the agency’s overall policy or standards.

Emerging Tech

New Computer Vision Model Tackles Improved Wildfire Prevention

The model uses satellite imagery to identify areas at risk of wildfires before they actually happen.

Cybersecurity

Interior’s Cyber Threat Detection and Defenses are Sufficient, OIG Finds

According to the inspector general’s memorandum, the Department of the Interior detected simulated malicious attacks and responded properly, making improvements from 2015 and 2018 evaluations.

Digital Government

Better Data Would Help Federal Response to Missing Indigenous Women, Watchdog Says

The Government Accountability Office recommends improving database access and management, as well as better communication, to help resolve cases of missing and murdered Native American and Alaskan women.

Digital Government

National Park Service to Share Special Use Permit Data with White House

The updated system of records notice would also allow the agency to share data with other departments in the event of a cybersecurity breach.

Ideas

Overcrowded U.S. National Parks Need a Reservation System

Limiting visitors has two purposes: reducing COVID-19 risks and allowing some parks to recover from recent wildfires.

Emerging Tech

NPS Officials Share Fresh Details on Forthcoming Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot

Yellowstone National Park visitors can catch rides on the autonomous shuttles early next summer.

Emerging Tech

Self-Driving Shuttles Are Set to Be Deployed at Yellowstone National Park in 2021

The National Park Service is exploring emerging, autonomous technologies through a new pilot program that the public can opt to participate in.

Cybersecurity

Interior IG Team Used Evil Twins and $200 Tech to Hack Department Wi-Fi Networks

A team of hackers was able to gain access to Interior networks using publicly available equipment, open source software and a backpack.

Cybersecurity

Interior Struggles to Secure IT Systems Amid Pandemic, IG Says

Interior is one of many agencies trying to meet new challenges posed by an explosion of increased remote work.

Cybersecurity

Another Federal Employee Caught Watching Porn at Work

The employee admitted watching adult pornography at work but retired amid a government investigation.