Cybersecurity

Ohio Establishes ‘Cyber Reserve’ to Combat Ransomware

The civilian unit of the National Guard will be on call to assist local governments that come under cyberattack.

Modernization

First Small Business Gets Cleared to Accept Task Orders on GSA’s $50B Telecom Contract

The first of three small businesses on the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract got its authority to operate, giving agencies an option outside the big telecom offerors.

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker Demands Answers on Exodus of White House Cyber Officials

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., wants the White House to respond to reports that it’s forcing high-ranking officials in the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer to step down.

Modernization

Microsoft Wins Massive JEDI Cloud Contract

In a $10 billion upset, after months of legal and Trump-fueled political controversy, Amazon loses out to a competitor.

Cybersecurity

Stealthy Tool Detects Malware in Javascript

A new open-source tool called VisibleV8 allows users to track and record the behavior of JavaScript programs without alerting the websites that run those programs.

Emerging Tech

How an FAA Committee Aims to Accelerate Drone Integration

The Drone Advisory Committee recently offered recommendations around Remote Identification, or virtual license plates for drones.

Cybersecurity

VA Aces IG Audit On Mobile Device Security

The audit comes as good news for the department, which historically has struggled to manage its technology systems.

Ideas

5G: Investing in a Smarter Alternative 

The U.S. needs to deepen its commitment to research and development and a diverse supply chain.

Modernization

Russia Will Test Its Ability to Disconnect from the Internet

The nascent RuNet is meant to allow the country to survive an attack — and Putin to monitor and control the population.

Cybersecurity

Senators Push FTC to Investigate Amazon’s Role in Capital One Hack

The bank was renting servers from the tech company, which were exploited in the attack. 

Modernization

GSA, FCC Exploring New Ways to Combat Comment Bots and Abusers

Federal agencies want to stop fake and impersonated comments during the rulemaking process. 

Digital Government

Military Algorithm Can Predict Illness 48 Hours Before Symptoms Show

The program lead says future troops might be deployed with wearables like watches or chest straps that will know when they are getting sick and how long it will take them to get better.

Policy

White House Threatens to Veto House-Passed Election Security Bill

The SHIELD Act would require political campaigns to report offers of campaign assistance from foreign powers to the FBI.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon to Begin Testing 5G at Four Domestic Installations

The department will release a draft solicitation for the program in November.

Cybersecurity

House Committee Advances Bill to Expand DHS Cyber Monitoring Program

As state and local governments face rising cyber threats, the legislation would give them free access to the tools provided under the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

Emerging Tech

How the Government Helped Google Reach Quantum Supremacy

Insiders from both the tech giant and the government detailed how the breakthrough was made possible through public-private collaboration.

Emerging Tech

Silicon Valley Rep Calls For Task Force, Legislation on Government Use of Biometrics

Rep. Ro Khanna said Congress should dictate exactly how federal agencies use technologies like facial recognition. But first, the legislative body needs to get properly educated.

Emerging Tech

How VA Gets Innovators to Focus on Veterans’ Challenges 

One event helped a severely injured veteran use a utensil on his own—for the first time in 12 years.