Cybersecurity

Weichert: Budget shortfall, legacy IT woes drive planned OPM merger

The Trump administration plans this week to propose legislation to merge the Office of Personnel Management into the General Services Administration.

Cybersecurity

Senate bill restricts U.S. tech exports to China

New legislation would make it harder to sell certain technology products to China or Chinese-owned businesses, but it's not clear whether it would cut down on economic espionage.

Cybersecurity

Why the U.S. wants zero tolerance on Chinese 5G gear

With lawmakers increasingly wary of Chinese-made 5G infrastructure, cybersecurity experts say even peripheral use of the equipment in networks could lead nowhere good.

Podcasts

Critical Update: Enter The Innovators

Season 3 of Critical Update kicks off with a mythbusting session on what it means to be innovative in government.

Ideas

Kids Might Close Government’s IT Talent Gap

Technology literacy rates are on the rise, likely due to the emphasis placed on STEM education in schools.

Emerging Tech

Can the Bay Area Rein In the Surveillance Tools It Created?

Oakland and San Francisco may become the first cities to ban use of facial recognition technology by government entities. But that’s only the beginning.

Cybersecurity

Air Force taps the brakes on new career categories

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced delays to plans for new career categories and promotion paths, including in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

Chemical Safety Board Needs to Consistently Follow Its Cyber Rules, Watchdog Says

Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General said the agency’s lack of defined policies makes it susceptible to security incidents.

Cybersecurity

Wyden wants answers on hack of voting tech firm

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wants info on whether the penetration of an American voting tech firm referenced in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report is related to a 2016 election day breakdown of e-poll book systems in North Carolina.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon ‘Matchmakers’ Aim to Keep U.S. Tech Firms from Taking Chinese Money

Defense officials hope to protect cutting-edge technologies by getting innovative firms funded by U.S.-friendly investors.

Cybersecurity

Senate Bill Would Train Federal Buyers to Spot Counterintelligence Threats

The goal is to reduce the risks of adversaries gaining entry to agencies through their supply chains.

Cybersecurity

DOD looks to publish software blacklist

The Defense Department is working with congressional constraints on information it can share with defense industrial base regarding restricted vendors.

Cybersecurity

IRS Authority To Regulate Tax Prep Cybersecurity Has Gaps, Watchdog Says

Digital tax fraud schemes are on the rise but the IRS can only do so much to regulate third-party providers without more authority.

Cybersecurity

Report: Most 2020 Candidates Aren't Using Anti-Spoofing Email Protections

By failing to take advantage of DMARC protections, candidates could expose themselves to the types of phishing attacks that hit the Democratic National Committee in 2016.

Policy

Senators Call for FTC to Investigate Amazon’s Echo Dot for Kids

Lawmakers want to know how the devices are using and storing children’s personal information.

Cybersecurity

Cyber workforce order doesn't solve the retention problem

The new cyber workforce executive order looks to make it easier for employees to take on cybersecurity roles within government, but agency IT officials point out the measure has its limitations.

Cybersecurity

DOJ charges former intel contractor with drone leaks

Daniel Everette Hale, a former Leidos contractor, is charged with passing a series of classified documents related to U.S. drone warfare and counterterrorism policy to a reporter.

Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Crisis Requires Getting Serious About Diversity

It is not simply a numbers game: diversity is a proven “differentiator” that research shows makes organizations better.