Emerging Tech
FAA Unveils Final Drone Rules for Remote ID, Nighttime Flights and Operations Over Humans
Unmanned aircraft systems will have to broadcast their “digital license plates” to legally zip around most places in the future.
Ideas
Seat Belts and Smoking Rates Show People Eventually Adopt Healthy Behaviors—But It Can Take Time We Don't Have During a Pandemic
It generally takes years of dragging people, kicking and screaming, to finally achieve new and improved societal norms.
Policy
The Federal CX Moves that Mattered in 2020
Experts expect momentum in improving service delivery and customer experience to continue under the coming Biden administration.
Artificial Intelligence
Critical Update: Why Having Artificial Intelligence Talent is a National Security Issue
Dr. José-Marie Griffiths discusses her work crafting workforce recommendations for Congress as part of her work with the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
Modernization
IG: Last Major CBP System Outage Caused By Code Defect Known for 2 Years
The customs agency could have avoided an August 2019 system outage—and hours of delays for travelers—with better patch management and employee training on backup procedures.
Ideas
In a Zero Trust World, Compliance Doesn’t Equal Security
An agency can run a completely compliant network and still be breached by a trusted user’s account being exposed.
Ideas
To Beat the Winter Blues, Think Like a Norwegian
They see it as an opportunity for lots of things they loved: outdoor activities like cross-country skiing but also special, cozy time indoors.
Emerging Tech
A State Becomes the First to Suspend Facial Recognition Technology in Schools
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there are “serious and legitimate privacy concerns” with the technology—but only prohibited its use until 2022.
Modernization
Defense, Intelligence Agencies Made Major Moves in Cloud in 2020
After bid protests and litigation, some of the largest cloud contracts the government has attempted can get underway.
Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need
The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.
Ideas
Thousands of Ocean Fishing Boats Could Be Using Forced Labor—We Used AI and Satellite Data to Find Them
Forced labor is a known problem in open ocean fishing, but the scale has been very hard to track historically.
Policy
Trump Vetoes Defense Policy Bill Over Base Names, Unrelated Internet Law
The House has already scheduled a vote after Christmas to override the president’s long-threatened rejection of the annual Defense authorization act, which also includes an expansion of federal employee leave benefits.
Cybersecurity
Former Presidential Adviser Advocates Tougher Software Vendor Standards After Breach
The environment where updates for the company’s software were developed was reportedly protected by a password anyone could guess.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: CISA Guidance Warns Affected Systems May Need to Be Rebuilt
Here are the news and updates you may have missed.
Modernization
Veterans Affairs Publishes Employee Experience Journey Map
Agency officials believe positive employee experiences translate to improved service delivery to its veterans.
Ideas
Rethinking Software and Risk to Protect the Public Sector
We should build security into the foundation of programs.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Targets Emerging Smart Technologies to Pilot in 2021
Companies are invited to apply to present relevant products during a solutions meeting next spring.
Cybersecurity
Biden Disputes Trump’s Claim that Hack is Under Control
The president-elect called for an official attribution to Russia but said a damage assessment is necessary before discussing the appropriate response.
Ideas