People

ODNI official details efforts to use automation to speed talent recruitment timelines

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s assistant director for human capital said the agency is looking to recruit blue chip talent in former college athletes, and is leveraging technology to speed up hiring. 

Policy

Senators Reintroduce Bill to Bolster Federal Data Center Security

The bipartisan legislation seeks to protect federal data centers from physical and digital threats by establishing minimum requirements to enhance the security of these critical facilities.

Digital Government

Planned Login-dot-gov deployment at IRS is postponed

The decision comes after concerns about implementing the sign-on service during tax season.

Artificial Intelligence

6 Agencies Launch Program to Build Prototype Open Knowledge Network

The prototype network is designed to provide an integrated data and knowledge infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

Biden Admin Targets ‘Misuse’ of Spyware with New Executive Order

The White House followed through on previous promises to pursue stronger oversight of commercial spyware companies and how their products are used in the U.S.

Digital Government

Senators Try Again to Advance Software License Bill

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have brought back the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act with a few new changes after the proposal came up short last fall.

Ideas

U.S. Autism Rates Hit All-Time High

“This is not just a phenomenon of becoming more sensitive to subtly impaired kids,” one of the report's authors said.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Need to Enhance VA’s Oversight of Oracle EHR Rollout or ‘Move On,’ Top Republican Says

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Mike Bost, R-Ill., said Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress are largely aligned “on what we know we want to fix and the problems that we’re seeing” with the deployment of VA’s new EHR system.

Acquisition

Veterans Affairs committee Dems offer bills to streamline VA operations

The two proposals would seek to consolidate business functions at the agency and independently verify and validate IT modernization efforts.

Digital Government

House Bill Wants Quantum-Powered Research To Support Agriculture, Medical Development

The Quantum in Practice Act was reintroduced this week, asserting quantum information systems’ power in scientific advancement.

Policy

Senators try again to advance software license bill

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have brought back the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act with a few new changes after the proposal came up short last fall.

People

Consumer Product Safety Commission failed to complete mandated future of work plan, report says

The agency tasked with preventing unreasonable risks of injury and death from consumer products has not yet completed a required plan that considers post-pandemic office reentry and property management strategies, according to an inspector general's report. 

Ideas

Fretting About Election Stress is Bad for Your Health

A new study indicates people report worse physical health around major elections.

Ideas

AI and Twitter Could Help Predict Opioid Deaths

Combined, the technologies can predict where opioid deaths are likely to occur.

Emerging Tech

US Needs Improved Regulation to Foster Drone R&D

Unmanned aircraft system innovation is hindered by the current regulatory framework, according to witnesses at a congressional hearing.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Warn of Cyber Threat Posed by Beijing, Moscow to Energy Sector

Enhancing collaboration and information sharing with industry partners can help mitigate threats, but concerns remain about the extent to which foreign-made equipment is embedded within the U.S. electric grid.

Cybersecurity

Acting National Cyber Director Explains New Cybersecurity Strategy to Congress

Acting National Cyber Director Kemba Walden highlighted some the strategy's key elements in testimony Thursday.

Digital Government

Space Partnerships are Critical for U.S. Security, Defense Official Says

At AFCEA NOVA’s Space Force IT day, Col. Ted Hanger discussed the importance of working with allies and partners in space.

Digital Government

New federal website offers grants info and research to counter domestic terrorism 

The Department of Homeland Security hopes a new website will serve as a one-stop shop for visitors aiming to prevent targeted violence and domestic terrorism with a slew of local and national federal resources.

Cybersecurity

Industry reps like CISA's public-private cybersecurity collaborative, but offer tips on how to scale it

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) noted in the hearing that CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative lacks a charter or membership criteria and previewed a forthcoming bill to “clarify activities of the JCDC.”