Digital Government
Space Force Has a Major Satellite Oversight Problem, GAO Says
The government’s network of land-based satellite antennas is facing growing usage demands, but Space Force has not updated the system’s support operations plan since it took over control of the program in 2019.
Modernization
VHA's $8.5M Emergency Comms System Largely Inoperable, OIG Finds
An audit conducted by VA’s Office of Inspector General found that an estimated 80% of the emergency communications systems deployed at 184 VA medical facilities are “not fully operational.”
Modernization
VA Again Delays Rollout of New Electronic Health Record System
The Department of Veterans Affairs, which announced last October it was pausing rollouts of its new EHR system until June 2023, said it “is not yet ready” to move forward with the software’s scheduled deployment at the VA Saginaw Healthcare System.
Digital Government
Apple VP Named New Director of Defense Innovation Unit
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced that the Defense Innovation Unit director will report directly to him as part of a leadership “realignment.”
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Move to Elevate Leadership of Energy’s Cyber Office
Citing the threat posed by foreign adversaries, four Republican senators are pushing for a Senate-confirmed assistant secretary to helm Energy’s office tasked with cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
DOD Launches New Site to Bolster ‘Hack the Pentagon’
The website seeks to scale the Defense Department’s bug bounty program by attracting additional white hat hackers.
Modernization
Top Republican Moves to Block VA’s EHR Deployment Until Improvements Are Made
A dozen GOP senators—including the ranking member of a key committee—signed on to the bill.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers, DOD Officials Note Benefits of AI to Department’s Information Networks
During a hearing on securing the Defense Department’s information networks, senators and officials described how artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities could strengthen the department’s cyber resilience.
Cybersecurity
New Cyber Reports Will Show the Value of CISA Budget Investments, Director Says
Cyber incident reports will be shared with the agency under the soon-to-be implemented requirements of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act.
Policy
Senators Reintroduce Bill to Bolster Federal Data Center Security
The bipartisan legislation seeks to protect federal data centers from physical and digital threats by establishing minimum requirements to enhance the security of these critical facilities.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Need to Enhance VA’s Oversight of Oracle EHR Rollout or ‘Move On,’ Top Republican Says
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Mike Bost, R-Ill., said Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress are largely aligned “on what we know we want to fix and the problems that we’re seeing” with the deployment of VA’s new EHR system.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Warn of Cyber Threat Posed by Beijing, Moscow to Energy Sector
Enhancing collaboration and information sharing with industry partners can help mitigate threats, but concerns remain about the extent to which foreign-made equipment is embedded within the U.S. electric grid.
Cybersecurity
Collaboration Over Self-Preservation Highlighted in Latest Guide to Cyber Oversight
CISA Director Jen Easterly said that the updated cyber-risk oversight handbook aligns with the agency’s goal of “advancing corporate cyber responsibility.”
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Propose Civilian Cyber Reserve to Bolster DOD and DHS
The bipartisan package of two bills would address the government’s shortage of skilled cyber personnel by allowing DOD and DHS “to recruit qualified civilian cybersecurity personnel to serve in reserve capacities.”
Artificial Intelligence
‘Alarming Content’ from AI Chatbots Raises Child Safety Concerns, Senator Says
In a letter to the CEOs of five tech companies, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., criticized using kids and teenagers in the “social experiment” of generative AI testing.
Cybersecurity
Treasury's system tracking federal debt still needs security improvements, GAO says
The watchdog found continued “information system control deficiencies,” despite Treasury’s progress on prior recommendations.
Digital Government
Treasury's System Tracking Federal Debt Still Needs Security Improvements, GAO Says
The watchdog found continued “information system control deficiencies,” despite Treasury’s progress on prior recommendations.
Emerging Tech
Recent Market Volatility Shows Value of Government Funding, DOD Official Says
Despite economic uncertainty, the head of the Pentagon’s office that connects promising tech companies with private capital said they will “continue to advance these technologies and support DOD operations.”
Digital Government
Veteran Deaths Lead Lawmakers to Call for VA to Renegotiate Oracle EHR Contract
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester said that VA should “negotiate an entirely new contract” with Oracle Cerner following the revelation that the EHR system has resulted in the deaths of four veterans.
Cybersecurity
Biden Administration Seeks $26B in Cyber Funding for FY 2024
President Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget aligns with the recently released national cybersecurity strategy by “investing in a whole-of-nation approach,” according to the acting national cyber director.
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