People

Coker confirmed as cyber director

On a bipartisan vote, the Senate confirmed Harry Coker to lead the Office of the National Cyber Director at the White House.

People

White House announces new acting cyber director, as nominee awaits Senate vote

Drenan Dudley, the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget, will helm the ONCD until the Senate confirms a permanent leader.

People

Biden’s cyber director nominee clears Senate committee

As Biden’s pick for national cyber director — Harry Coker — makes his way through the Senate, the current acting director nears her last day.

Ideas

Getting better deals for the government

COMMENTARY | Steve Kelman explains that common sense has often had a tough time getting accepted in debates about procurement policy.

Digital Government

White House spectrum strategy leans into sharing, tech standards

The Biden administration is targeting 2,786 MHz of spectrum to study for possible sharing or reallocation to commercial users.

Acquisition

Biden wants better deals from contractors

A new administration push is underway to leverage procurement data and purchasing power to generate savings.

Cybersecurity

How the US aims to tackle the ‘collective action problem’ of ransomware

New efforts in the International Counter Ransomware Initiative intend to leverage automated systems to halt illicit financial transactions, according to a White House cyber official.

People

Cyber Director nominee talks AI, collaboration at confirmation hearing

Harry Coker, the Biden Administration's choice to lead the Office of the National Cyber Director, said he'll draw on his experience as a program manager to make sure agencies hit their milestones on implementing the government's cyber strategy.

Artificial Intelligence

Commerce launches new safe AI center

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is slated to helm many of the new AI executive order’s guidance documents for safe and responsible development.

Artificial Intelligence

On the heels of Biden's executive order, agencies get White House directive on implementing AI

Agencies will be on the hook for tapping chief AI officers, adding risk management practices to AI like independent evaluations and more.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden signs AI order but stresses need for legislation

The long-anticipated executive order on artificial intelligence is broad, detailed and expansive, but the White House wants Congress to do more.

Artificial Intelligence

Sweeping White House AI order includes mandate for commercial developers

The administration is leveraging the Defense Production Act to get access to safety testing for high-risk artificial intelligence use cases.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden administration angles to ‘lead the world’ with upcoming AI policy

The White House is focused on establishing the U.S. in both AI collaboration and competition.

People

White House honors innovators with science and technology medals

The awardees include employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Energy’s Berkeley National Lab.

Artificial Intelligence

White House to issue 'broad' executive order addressing AI risks and standards

Top science advisor Arati Prabhakar said the forthcoming executive order will address a wide swath of potential AI dangers.

Policy

Biden formally announces 5.2% average pay raise for feds in 2024

The annual declaration of a national emergency preventing large automatic raises from taking effect solidifies that 0.5% of the total pay increase figure will go toward an average boost in locality pay.

People

White House names new deputy chief technology officer for policy

Austin Bonner joins White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, though the position of U.S. CTO has not been filled since 2021.

Cybersecurity

White House looks to shore up open source software security

The Office of the National Cyber Director wants software providers to "contribute back to the security of the open source software they depend upon."

Cybersecurity

Biden orders greater restrictions on emerging technology transactions with China 

The new executive order updating the sanctions regime between U.S. citizens and China is a “national security action,” according to an administration official.

Cybersecurity

White House plan to secure schools from cyber threats ‘may not go far enough,’ experts say

As families across the country prepare for the back-to-school season, federal officials are preparing for increased cyberattacks targeting the nation’s education system.