Cybersecurity

Senate proposes $58M boost to CISA's budget to clear out risk assessment backlog

The Senate Appropriations Committee's bill would aim to help CISA reduce an ongoing backlog of vulnerability assessments requested by state and local agencies.

Digital Government

Election Disinformation Fears Came True for State Officials

Some state and local Republican officials are refusing to concede elections and claiming voter fraud.

Acquisition

Tech experts call on feds to coordinate benefits solutions

With surges in unemployment insurance applications straining legacy IT systems at the state level, digital services specialists say that the federal government should take a more central role in fielding tech infrastructure.

Acquisition

Chicago launches a challenge to extend outdoor dining into winter

As COVID-19 continues to upend local economies, the Windy City is getting creative to support the restaurant sector.

Digital Government

Shortened Census Led to an Incomplete Count in Some Areas

The Census Bureau claimed a 99.98% completion rate nationally when the count ended Oct. 15, but some areas did not reach that level.

Cybersecurity

CISA’s Elections Operations Center to Remain Open for Another 45 Days  

Officials acknowledged reports of misleading robocalls and suspicious traffic around a Florida system, but said neither were out of the ordinary.

Cybersecurity

U.S. Elections Are Safer from Foreign Interference, But Gaps Remain

Four years after a big wake-up call, federal, state, and local governments are working harder and more closely to ward off threats.

Digital Government

A tribute to micro-innovations

Steve Kelman thinks more organizations should take a lesson from the Peak Academy's commitment to incremental change.

Digital Government

Census Pulls Back on Year-End Delivery Commitment, Pushes Decision to Career Staff

Rushing in an effort to truncate the data processing timeline has "some risks," bureau official admits.

Digital Government

Voting in Georgia: good news for democracy, bad news about govtech

The lines for early voting in Georgia are a sign of citizen engagement, Steve Kelman writes. But they're at least partly due to a new digital voting system.

Emerging Tech

Federal Government to Offer $10M to Research COVID-19 Spread on Public Transportation

Major cities could be excluded from receiving grants for “permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction,” per a presidential memo cited in the funding opportunity. 

Cybersecurity

Foreign Hackers Cripple Texas County’s Email System, Raising Election Security Concerns

The malware attack, which sent fake email replies to voters and businesses, spotlights an overlooked vulnerability in counties that don’t follow best practices for computer security.

Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals Strike Schools Amid Pandemic

At least 16 school districts have been victimized in a rash of ransomware attacks since the end of July.

Ideas

The First True Smart City Blossoms in Georgia’s Peachtree Corners

The city founded the Curiosity Lab, a huge facility designed to help industry test new technology.

Emerging Tech

After Decision Upholding FCC’s 5G Rules, Cities Now Weighing Appeal

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld FCC rules limiting local government’s ability to regulate 5G infrastructure and cap fees. Cities involved in the case have until Sept. 28 to file an appeal, but some experts say the ruling wasn’t all bad.

Digital Government

Employers in D.C. Region Expect Some Remote Work Into Mid-2021, Survey Finds

About 60% of respondents anticipated less than a third of workers would return to the office by early September because of coronavirus risks. Some are planning for a portion of staff to still be working remotely even next summer.

Cybersecurity

What the U.S. Needs to Do to Secure Election 2020

Concerns extend far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines and questions about voting by mail.