Ideas

Debunking Myths Around Facial Recognition: What Government Agencies Need to Know 

Government use of facial recognition technology provides its fair share of controversy, as well as tangible benefits.

Emerging Tech

Global Financial Crimes Organization Releases Guide on NFTs

The report, issued by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement, intends to help guide public and private entities when participating in the growing NFT market. 

Policy

Proposed Bill Would Let People Know When Law Enforcement is Surveilling Them

The Government Surveillance Transparency Act requires law enforcement to disclose surveillance orders. 

Digital Government

Here Are 10 Major Takeaways From the $1.5 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill

See which agencies are getting the biggest funding increases, hiring orders and new policy initiatives.

Modernization

New App Tracks Terrorism-Linked Events in Local U.S. Communities

It marks an enhancement of the information-sharing capabilities the National Counterterrorism Center offered before.

People

Former DHS acting IG pleads guilty in software scheme

A former acting top watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal case management software from multiple federal agencies in order to create a new system to sell back to the government.

Cybersecurity

Federal agencies highlight security improvements a year after Capitol attack

The Homeland Security Department said officials do not “have information indicating any specific or credible threats related to the anniversary.” 

Digital Government

GSA addresses plans for FBI headquarters at House hearing

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan told lawmakers she was in contact with FBI Director Chris Wray about ongoing plans to build new headquarters for the bureau after the years-long plan was scrapped by the previous administration.

Cybersecurity

Scammers Are Using Fake Job Ads to Steal People’s Identities

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that it has seen a “marked increase” in sham job ads seeking to steal people’s personal data, often with the aim of filing bogus unemployment insurance claims.

Emerging Tech

DHS Wants Wearables to Track Employee Health at Work and at Home

The biometric tech will be used to help employees manage physical and mental health in high-stress mission areas.

Emerging Tech

IRS’ Criminal Investigators Want Help Breaking into Physical Crypto Wallets

The agency’s digital forensics unit is looking for a small business to help make routine processes out of some nascent research into related hardware hacking techniques.

Digital Government

Postal Service Law Enforcement Isn’t Fully Tracking Inspectors’ Use of Cryptocurrencies

Investigators reported using cryptocurrencies in nine closed cases. Auditors found another 1,064 that might not have been properly recorded.

Modernization

IRS dips into enforcement funds, user fees for IT

"Each year, the IRS must take extraordinary measures to fund IT," IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig explained in an August letter to three senators.

Emerging Tech

DOJ Seeks Congressional Funding to Implement Policy on Body-Worn Cameras

The announcement follows tensions with some local police departments over the authority to release footage recorded during joint operations.

Digital Government

LGBTQ+ People of Color Face Greatest Risk from Spike in Hate Crimes. Why Doesn't FBI Data Include Them?

Across the nation, more hate crimes were reported in 2020 than in any year since 2008. Advocates say federal data is missing crucial context that keeps resources from those at the greatest risk.

Emerging Tech

Facial Recognition Tech Use Increasing Among Federal Agencies

Use cases included criminal investigations, building security and access to digital assets like smartphones and security agency websites.

Emerging Tech

What One City Hopes to Learn by Pausing Use of Facial Recognition Technology

A ban in Baltimore would restrict the city from purchasing facial recognition technology and temporarily restrict use by city agencies, residents and businesses (but not the police).

Artificial Intelligence

DHS Tech Directorate Sets Goals to Guide Risk-Aware Artificial Intelligence Use

It’s meant to complement the department’s broader enterprise strategy and could prove helpful to other agencies.