Ideas
Chatbots: The New Government Official in the Fight Against Coronavirus
Even though there’s a deluge of questions from thousands of people, many of these questions are the same.
Cybersecurity
Senators Call for Legislation to Ensure Security Reviews of Foreign Telecoms
The bipartisan report says a recent executive order on the issue doesn’t go far enough.
Emerging Tech
Policing Reform Bill Would Prohibit Embedding Facial Recognition in Body Cameras
The Justice in Policing Act contains several restrictions on the use of facial biometric technologies for federal, state and local law enforcement.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Want To Know Why DHS Used Drones To Surveil Protestors
Congress continues to seek answers from federal agencies regarding their response to nationwide protests.
Ideas
Managing User Access Is a Crucial Step in Securing Federal Organizations
Agencies must make sure they leave no security gaps when employees join or leave.
Cybersecurity
DOD Officials, Cybersecurity Accreditation Partners Struggle with the China Question
Officials are also still hammering out conflict-of-interest issues, as watchdogs flag failures in Defense acquisition practices.
Artificial Intelligence
Congress Seeks Creation of National Research Cloud for Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers introduced bicameral legislation this week aimed at keeping the United States ahead of China and other adversaries in AI efforts.
Ideas
The Case for Using Commercial Tools to Allow Classified Telework
Programs like the National Security Agency’s Commercial Solutions for Classified could be a path to transmit classified information without specialized hardware.
Cybersecurity
DOJ Says Foreign Actors Trying to Fuel Violence at Protests Through Misinformation
The nation’s chief law enforcement official said adversaries are using digital means to increase unrest in the United States.
Policy
Effort to Develop Open Standards for 5G Moves in Intelligence Authorization Act
The bill cleared committee with one conspicuous hold out over an unsustainable proliferation of government secrets.
Emerging Tech
Energy Curates New Tools, Unveils Funding to Assist Research Efforts Against COVID-19
Through its COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program, the department will provide roughly $500,000 to support research against the pandemic.
Modernization
Lawmaker Wants Hard Details on Agencies’ Plans to Upgrade Legacy IT
Sen. Maggie Hassan gave 10 agencies until August 3 to answer six questions about their modernization plans—or lack thereof.
Ideas
COVID-19 Has Exposed the Need to Invest in Digital Infrastructure
Even before the increased demand caused by COVID-19, much of our digital infrastructure was so poorly designed as to be hostile to users.
Policy
Bill Would Prevent the President from Nuking Hurricanes
It came on the first day of hurricane season, in response to a recommendation Trump reportedly made in the past.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Commission: Expand Connected Device Security Bill Beyond Federal Procurement Realm
The new recommendation comes in an annex the Cyberspace Solarium Commission released in light of the pandemic.
Modernization
HUD Employees Saw Few Disruptions In Shift to Mass Telework, Says IG
The COVID-19 pandemic upended some paper-based processes and led to some network bandwidth issues, but the department has weathered the transition well, the watchdog reports.
Ideas
Technology for the Next Phase of Pandemic
Moving to later stages of reopening will require advancements in two areas, standardization of care and robust contact tracing.
Digital Government
State Department Harnesses Data to Help Bring Americans Home Safely During the Pandemic
The agency turned to data-focused teams and products to help decision-makers prioritize options.
Cybersecurity