Policy

Relaunched electric grid caucus plans to highlight security, tech improvements

The bipartisan Grid Innovation Caucus plans to hold educational seminars and a Grid Innovation Expo to highlight emerging technologies and ensure the resiliency of the U.S. power network.

Modernization

DOD lacks performance targets, cybersecurity plans on some major IT programs, GAO says

The watchdog found that within the Defense Department’s 25 major IT business programs, more than half did not fully report whether they’d achieved intended targets.

Cybersecurity

No 'systemic risk' to government networks from latest breach, CISA says

The nation’s cyber defense agency confirmed it was providing assistance to several federal agencies that have been impacted in an apparent global cyberattack.

Policy

Bipartisan bill seeks to safeguard US data from foreign exploitation

New legislation would restrict the transfer of Americans’ data to foreign nations, but leaves the door open for TikTok to store U.S. users’ data on domestic servers. 

Policy

New report identifies over $100B in potential government services savings

The government’s overlapping, fragmented and duplicative services are costing billions of dollars annually, a Government Accountability Office report claims. 

Emerging Tech

DOD needs more diverse emerging tech investment, Democratic caucus argues

Too much of the Pentagon’s funding to support emerging technologies “is concentrated in the early stages of development,” according to members of the New Democrat Coalition’s national security task force.

Digital Government

IRS to get a new acting CIO

The current occupant of the top tech job at the tax agency is going back to his post at Treasury at the end of June.

Digital Government

Former DHS top buyer joins trade group to lead revived knowledge hub

Soraya Correa will lead the Contract Management Institute at the National Contract Management Association.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers suggest ‘radical transparency’ as key to shoring up US cyber posture

The lessons of Ukraine argue for increased openness about public and private sector cyber attacks, two congressmen said on Monday.

Cybersecurity

CISA's new directive targets devices that can be configured over public internet 

The nation’s cyber defense agency is requiring all federal civilian agencies to remove such devices from their networks. 

Artificial Intelligence

Spy agencies acquire commercial data with little coordination and few controls

The purchase of sensitive commercial data that is potentially traceable to individual Americans could be subject to new restrictions, according to a newly declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Emerging Tech

Trade groups press White House to digitize forms of identification

Stronger digital identity solutions would curb future cyber attacks driven by identity and make stolen personal data less valuable, a coalition of 10 trade groups writes in a new letter.

Cybersecurity

New bill would give CISA greater cyber outreach responsibilities

The Cybersecurity Awareness Act would direct the agency to launch a new public-private campaign promoting cyber best practices across small businesses and underserved communities. 

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker advocates 'all-of-the-above' approach to fix cyber worker shortage

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s cybersecurity panel said a greater focus on cyber education in K-12 schools could help fill the roughly 700,000 vacant cyber jobs across the country.

Policy

Government has a policy over people problem, civic tech leader argues

In a new book, Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka argues that government implementers need more authority to avoid becoming risk-averse compliance agents.

Cybersecurity

House cyber panel’s NDAA draft prioritizes commercial tech, expert engagement

Tech- and cyber-focused legislative proposals for the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act would restructure the Pentagon’s internal leadership to emphasize greater engagement with the commercial tech sector.

Cybersecurity

Industry calls for clarity after White House extends software security form deadline

Software vendors praised a decision from the Office of Management and Budget to extend a deadline for agencies to collect self-attestation forms, though questions remain about what comes next.

Ideas

Reducing security debt

Federal agencies must take measures to minimize the introduction and accumulation of security flaws in their software

Modernization

VA to lean on automation, better IT to tackle wave of benefits claims

The component responsible for overseeing veterans’ benefits programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs believes that automation and modernized IT systems will enhance its processing of PACT Act-related claims.