Ideas

It's Crunch Time for Homeland Security's Continuous Monitoring Program

To aggressively move forward and to defend critical infrastructure, we must first acknowledge the hurdles that stand before us. 

Ideas

COVID-19 Messages Make Emergency Alerts Just Another Text in the Crowd on Your Home Screen

Many people still react to such messages with uncertainty, irritation and intense emotion.

Cybersecurity

Biden Redirects Agencies on Securing Information and Communications Technology

A new executive order revokes bans on WeChat and TikTok but retains and adds to a Trump edict on U.S. tech, especially “connected software applications” tied to foreign adversaries.

Ideas

Why Getting More People with Disabilities Developing Technology Is Good for Everyone

Accessible technology is better for everyone, and accessible technology benefits when the people who rely on it most help build it.

Digital Government

FCC Creates Public Database to Track Compliance with New Robocall-Killing Program

Telephone service providers must implement the new STIR/SHAKEN framework by the end of June and certify compliance in a new publicly available database.

Cybersecurity

Survey Suggests Public Sector Slightly Better than Industry at Prioritizing Mobile Security    

A majority of respondents said they sacrificed security of IoT devices to respond to COVID-19 policies and for expedience generally.

Modernization

For State's COVID Contact Tracing Apps, Privacy Tops Utility

More than 28 million people in the United States have downloaded the mobile apps or activated exposure notifications on their smartphones

Cybersecurity

FBI Director Says Extremists Flocking to Encrypted Apps Poses New Challenges

Christopher Wray told lawmakers tech companies are the ones making policies about encryption.

Modernization

CBP Attempts to Mitigate Privacy Risks Created by New Customs App

CBP One will become the primary public-facing portal for a number of customs programs and services. But any new data collection effort brings privacy risks.

Cybersecurity

Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020

State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.

Cybersecurity

Despite Security Concerns, Online Voting Advances

Online voting is likely to become more popular as technology improves and as election officials seek ways to expand access to the ballot. But security experts warn of hacking threats.

Digital Government

DHS Taps California-Based Startup to Test Privacy in Contact Tracing Apps

It marks the first of multiple forthcoming awards through the department’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program.

Ideas

The Transition to TIC 3.0: Ensuring Agency Readiness for Network Modernization

IT and security teams will need the right building blocks to accommodate a range of use cases.

Digital Government

Lawmaker Urges Tech Companies to Save Posts, Metadata From Jan. 6 Insurrection

Sen. Mark Warner sent letters to 11 wireless communication and social media companies asking them to get ready to hand over content for legal proceedings.

Ideas

Insecure Communications Like WhatsApp Are Putting U.S. National Security at Risk

The proliferation of consumer-grade communications applications has given rise to widespread, unsanctioned use throughout the military community.

Digital Government

DHS IG Opens Probe into Warrantless Cellphone Tracking

The investigation is in response to a Congressional inquiry about Customs and Border Protection getting location data from phones.

Ideas

Will Android Become the New Federal OS for Rugged Devices?

For the most part, the rugged devices I have evaluated over the years have had some flavor of Windows as their operating system.