Cybersecurity

Cyber Reskilling Grads Gained Valuable Skills But Not New Jobs Yet

Two graduates from the first class of the new Cyber Reskilling Academy said the program changed the way they see technology and their current jobs but won’t be changing their job titles anytime soon.

Cybersecurity

Playing Defense Against Chinese Tech Threats ‘Will Only Get Us So Far,’ Lawmaker Says 

Rep. Mike Gallagher said the government needs to take a more active role in curbing the global rise of Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.

Modernization

Agencies May Not Meet EIS Deadline, But Future Extensions Aren’t in Sight

GSA’s Office of Telecommunication Services director offered an update on the contract vehicle’s progress.

Emerging Tech

The Pentagon Is Turning to Nature to Solve Its Most Complex Problems

DARPA is exploring ways to harness chemical reactions, biological processes and other natural phenomena to build a more efficient computer.

Cybersecurity

Coordinated Ransomware Attack in Texas Seen as Escalation From Prior Hacks

Twenty-three local governments were attacked over the weekend. The willingness of city governments to pay ransoms may be emboldening opportunistic hackers, security experts warn.

Ideas

How Cities Are Getting Smarter

There isn’t one definition of a smart city technology, but here are places governments are making progress.

Cybersecurity

Twitter, Facebook Turn Off Hundreds of Accounts Linked to Chinese Disinformation about Hong Kong Protests

In simultaneous press releases, the social-media companies say they have shut down large amounts of Beijing-controlled activity.

Artificial Intelligence

Pilots, Bias Important Considerations Ahead of Deploying AI

Cloud technology makes piloting artificial intelligence efforts easier than ever, but hard decisions around bias need to be confronted.

Modernization

App Failure Led to Long Airport Lines In Third CBP System Crash In Three Years

Technicians were able to reboot the system in a matter of hours but the crash led to significant delays for travelers Friday.

Emerging Tech

DHS is Collecting Biometrics on Thousands of Refugees Who Will Never Enter the U.S.

Most refugees who apply for asylum in the U.S. never set foot in the country, but under an agreement with the United Nations, DHS and its partners can still build biometric profiles on them.

Ideas

4 Recommendations for a Strong Federal Data Strategy

We can expand upon the recommended actions to ensure federal agencies leverage data to advance their missions.

Cybersecurity

Commerce Gives U.S. Companies an Extra 90 Days to Cut Ties with Huawei

“Some of the rural companies are dependent on Huawei, so we’re giving them a little more time to wean themselves off,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Emerging Tech

IG: NOAA, NASA Launched Next-Gen Satellite With Known Issues, Scrubbed Performance Metrics from Contract

The main instrument of the GOES-R next-generation satellite constellation wasn’t working before launch but officials sent it into space anyway.

Emerging Tech

Biosensor Warns About Salmonella Before Food Hits Stores

The sensor is a rapid way for producers to know if raw and ready-to-eat food is safe.

Cybersecurity

The Army is Falling Behind on Staffing Cyber Units, GAO Says

As of March, the cyber and electronic warfare units the Army deployed last year had less than 40% of their combined positions filled.

Cybersecurity

It’s Official: Defense Department Will Use Other Agencies’ Cloud Security Assessments

The department’s IT office issued a provisional rule to accept other agencies’ FedRAMP ATOs without the need for written approval.

Emerging Tech

VA Seeks to Train Staff to Use 3D Printing to Personalize Care for Patients

The agency is actively engaging stakeholders to create new opportunities for training and innovation.

Artificial Intelligence

People Are Starting to Realize How Voice Assistants Actually Work

The secrecy surrounding AI products makes even basic information about them a scandal.

Ideas

Regulating Facebook, Google and Amazon Is Hard Given Their Bewildering Complexity

Whether you’re an individual, business, or government, if you need the internet, you need their services.