Cybersecurity
37 Defense Industrial Base Companies Affected by SolarWinds Intrusion
A defense official told lawmakers the department’s CMMC program likely wouldn’t have guaranteed successful prevention of the SolarWinds breach.
Cybersecurity
House Panel Passes Bill to Explore Bringing State and Local Cybersecurity Workers into CISA
The Homeland Security Committee cleared several bills to address cybersecurity following the attack on Colonial Pipeline.
Modernization
Federal CIO Says New IT Modernization Plan In the Works
The Biden administration will outline exactly what it “stands for” when it comes to IT delivery in government, Federal CIO Clare Martorana said.
Ideas
Paying People to Get Vaccinated Might Work – But Is It Ethical?
In the United States, incentives and disincentives are already used in health care.
Artificial Intelligence
NASA’s Modern Missions Lean on Emerging Tech
The agency’s CDO reflected on how AI, machine learning and automation are being increasingly operationalized.
Ideas
The New Space Race Will Be Run by Robots
Given the risks of space travel versus the potential rewards, it seems like robots are better suited for this role than humans.
Modernization
Senate Bill Would Improve Rural Broadband Investment
The bipartisan legislation would give local and state governments new financing options for broadband projects.
Ideas
Why Do We Hate the Sound of Our Own Voices?
The discomfort we have over hearing our voices in audio recordings is probably due to a mix of physiology and psychology.
Ideas
If a Satellite Falls on Your House, Space Law Protects You – but There Are No Legal Penalties for Leaving Junk in Orbit
Looking at environmental law here on Earth may give some ideas on how to improve the current legal regime with respect to space debris.
Emerging Tech
FTC Data Captures Record Surge in Cryptocurrency Scams
An official explained how “there are at least a couple of things in play” that are contributing to the highs.
Digital Government
FCC Creates Public Database to Track Compliance with New Robocall-Killing Program
Telephone service providers must implement the new STIR/SHAKEN framework by the end of June and certify compliance in a new publicly available database.
Ideas
The Cybersecurity Executive Order Is a Missed Opportunity
This executive order is designed to strengthen federal cybersecurity, not that of the private sector, including critical infrastructure providers.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Do You Know What’s In Your Software?
In the wake of several major cybersecurity incidents, the government wants to shore up its software supply chain. Two experts explain the merits of some approaches and why there’s no silver bullet.
Modernization
If the Pentagon Drops JEDI, Then What?
Defense Department officials say the contract’s enterprisewide capabilities are still needed, but how to fill that need may be different given the department’s changing cloud landscape.
Cybersecurity
Pipeline Security Act Reintroduced in House
More than a dozen lawmakers have cosponsored the legislation following the Colonial Pipeline attack.
Ideas
Zero Trust or Bust
One primary consideration should drive implementation: who gets to see what content?
Ideas
To Navigate the Dangers of the Web, You Need Critical Thinking – but also Critical Ignoring
Learning to ignore information is not something taught in school.
Ideas
Here’s How Much Your Personal Information Is Worth to Cybercriminals – and What They Do with It
Though data breaches can be a national security threat, 86% are about money, and 55% are committed by organized criminal groups, according to Verizon’s annual data breach report.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Call for Pentagon to Prioritize Cyber Investments
Rep. Jim Langevin suggested in a hearing the Defense Department has not elevated its focus on the cyber domain enough.
Modernization