Cybersecurity
Pentagon issues proposed CMMC rule
The long-anticipated draft rule, which will be officially published on Dec. 26, outlines proposed updates to DOD’s cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and subcontractors who handle sensitive military data.
Ideas
AI provides a net advantage to federal cyber defenders — if they can use it
COMMENTARY | If agencies don’t invest and innovate internally and in partnership with industry and the research community, the cyber balance in the use of AI/ML can tip towards the attacker.
Artificial Intelligence
FTC bans Rite Aid from using AI facial recognition for 5 years
After investigating its business practices, the Federal Trade Commission alleges that the pharmacy chain did not sufficiently protect its consumers’ digital privacy.
Exclusive
Digital Government
TSA survey reveals 93% of travelers satisfied with passenger experience
Even more travelers were confident in the Transportation Security Administration’s ability to keep air travel safe.
Digital Government
OMB releases ‘broad’ accessibility guidance for government tech
This is the first new guidance on Section 508 in a decade.
Ideas
A New Year's resolution to improve government forms
COMMENTARY | A good digital form uses human-centered design to ensure a positive and frictionless experience, one so easy you barely even think about it
Acquisition
CISA changes plan for operations support recompete
The Homeland Security Department's cyber agency goes in a different direction for how it plans to award this upcoming task order.
Cybersecurity
NIST releases 2 draft guides to prepare for post-quantum migration
The guidelines aim to help organizations incorporate quantum-resistant algorithms into their existing security infrastructures.
Digital Government
IRS direct file participants will have to use ID.me for identity verification
The agency still isn't ready to field the government-provided Login.gov for digital access to taxpayer services.
Artificial Intelligence
Experts warn that OMB’s AI guidance could slow federal adoption of the emerging tech
Commentators say proposed definitions of “rights-impacting” and “safety-impacting” use cases could wind up saddling low-impact AI programs up with high-impact controls.
Defense
The Army wants smaller command posts. But first it needs great software
What’s missing is the ability to rapidly configure existing gear and networks to a given mission and environment.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate's top tech official greenlights research use of generative AI
The chief information officer for the Senate Sergeant at Arms evaluated three popular AI platforms and offered members and staff instruction on how to leverage them safely.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is a rising priority for federal chief data officers
Nearly all CDOs surveyed by the Data Foundation reported thinking about adopting the emerging technology.
Emerging Tech
How agencies will leverage virtual reality, generative AI over the next 2 years
A new Deloitte report forecasts that “spatial computing and the industrial metaverse” will have growing applications for state and federal organizations and said that “investigating these technologies can help agencies get a leg up on the future.”
Ideas
Digital inaccessibility: Blind and low-vision people have powerful technology but still face barriers to the digital world
COMMENTARY | Technologies often hit roadblocks because the information they are designed to work with – documents, websites and software programs – don’t work with them.
Defense
With continued Western support in question, Ukraine is betting on innovation in electronic warfare, drones
Ukraine has no plans to “freeze” operations this winter, its defense attache said.
Modernization
State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels
A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.
Artificial Intelligence
Who is an AI worker? The Pentagon needs a better definition, GAO says
The Pentagon “can't fully identify who is part of its AI workforce or which positions require personnel with AI skills,” according to a new congressional watchdog report.
Artificial Intelligence
House lawmakers press for transparency in NIST’s new AI grant funding
A bipartisan cadre of lawmakers is asking for details on the funding methods and oversight of NIST’s new Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute.
Digital Government