Cybersecurity

Cyber Commission Suggests Reforms to Allow Flexible Pay, Hiring to Boost Workforce

Prospective federal employees might be turned off by cybersecurity jobs being classified as IT.

Digital Government

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Hints Section 889 Supply Chain Waiver May Be Extended

The Defense Department’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord spoke briefly about Section 889 Part B implementation Wednesday.

Emerging Tech

IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies

The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.

Cybersecurity

COVID Could Spur Reduced Reliance on Classified Sources of Cyber Intelligence

CISA officials highlighted cloud configuration and VPN vulnerabilities in assessing threats associated with the pandemic.

Digital Government

Report Outlines How U.S. Could Counter Un-Democratic Uses of Surveillance Technology

The federal government should take steps to imbue surveillance technologies with individual freedoms protections citizens of democracies expect, the authors say.

Digital Government

Pentagon, Defense Contractors Are Out Of Step On Tech Innovation, GAO Finds

The Pentagon wanted to fund ambitious research into future tech breakthroughs but contractors spend most of their money on safer bets, GAO has found.

Digital Government

DHS Files Rule Proposing Increasing Scope of Biometric Information Collection 

The Homeland Security Department posted the full text of a proposal to the Federal Register that would give it the ability to collect more biometric information from immigrants.

Cybersecurity

FCC Estimates Replacing Chinese Telecom Equipment Will Cost at Least $1.6 Billion

A key lawmaker echoed calls from the agency’s chairman for Congress to appropriate the money.

Digital Government

DHS, USCIS Want to Collect More Biometric Information from Immigrants

The Homeland Security Department will propose a rule change that would allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  to collect voice, iris and facial recognition scans. 

Digital Government

Customs Deploying Biometric Tech at Ports Without Fully Addressing Privacy Requirements, GAO Finds

A new audit shows Customs and Border Protection isn’t providing enough transparency to travelers regarding facial recognition technology at ports.

Digital Government

Trump Administration Releases Draft Framework for the Ethical Use of Data

The draft Data Ethics Framework offers seven tenets for agencies to follow, complete with legal authorities, use cases and links to additional resources.

Cybersecurity

OMB Starts Clock on Agencies Implementing Policies to Welcome Public Security Research

CISA also released a binding operational directive and will start scanning government systems for the policies when time is up in six months.

Digital Government

Oracle Loses Another JEDI Appeal

Oracle had argued the Pentagon’s decision to award the contract to a single award was flawed.

Emerging Tech

Air Force Seeking Research on Electronic Intelligence Tech

The Air Force Research Lab is looking for white papers outlining new technologies and methodologies for signal processing. 

Modernization

Local Governments Have Embraced New Technology to Weather the Pandemic, Survey Finds

More than 95% of state and local leaders who responded to the poll said their agencies used software to maintain service levels as employees began working largely from home.

Cybersecurity

OMB Issues Interim Rule for Banning IT Products From Federal Systems

Any individual the Federal Acquisition Security Council deems credible could initiate a removal or exclusion order.