Acquisition
Energy Dept. makes plans to take its HR system to the cloud
DOE says it is looking to become the first federal agency to launch a fully cloud-based human resources system, and possibly become a shared-services provider in the future.
Digital Government
Chinese Spy Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison
The foreign national intended to obtain U.S. citizenship and a security clearance in order to get a federal government cybersecurity position.
Emerging Tech
NSF to Helm Nearly $50M Semiconductor Public-Private Partnership
The National Science Foundation will work alongside four private sector companies to spur developments in the U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing field.
Digital Government
Congressional Democrats Propose an 8.7% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024
The annually introduced bill would provide a 4.7% across-the-board increase in basic pay and an average 4% increase to locality pay.
Emerging Tech
Biofuel Tech Gets $118 Million Funding Boost from Energy Department
The funding will be spread across 17 projects.
Policy
GAO Identifies Fraud Risks in FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
The FCC “may not be able to effectively prevent and detect fraud” in its program that offers low-income households discounts on internet services and connected devices, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office.
Cybersecurity
Chinese spy sentenced to 8 years in federal prison
The foreign national intended to obtain U.S. citizenship and a security clearance in order to get a federal government cybersecurity position.
Digital Government
When May a Robot Kill? New DOD Policy Tries to Clarify
An updated policy tweaks wording in a bid to dispel confusion.
Digital Government
Justice 'Hacked the Hackers' of Hive Ransomware, Stopping $130M in Demands
It took national and international cooperation to thwart the group, who targeted more than 1,500 victims.
Defense
When may a robot kill? New DOD policy tries to clarify
An updated policy tweaks wording in a bid to dispel confusion.
Emerging Tech
Legislators Renew Efforts to Protect Consumers from an Eavesdropping Fridge
The reintroduced bill asks the Federal Trade Commission to establish disclosure guidelines for smart devices and appliances that consumers would not expect to be recording them.
Policy
Foster still has his eye on digital identity bill in the new Congress
A digital identity verification proposal from Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) didn’t escape the last Congress, but the legislator says that he intends to reintroduce the bill, which would have implications for how the government verifies citizens online.
Artificial Intelligence
NIST Debuts Long-Anticipated AI Risk Management Framework
With the launch of the AI RMF 1.0, federal researchers focused on four core functions to structure how all organizations evaluate and introduce more trustworthy AI systems.
Cybersecurity
Hackers used legit remote monitoring software to hack agency networks
Guidance from the National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency describe a phishing attack on a federal employee that used fake help desk domains to gain access to at least two federal civilian executive branch networks.
Artificial Intelligence
U.S. Officially Leads the Freedom Online Coalition for the First Time
The U.S. will helm the chairship position at the Freedom Online Coalition, focusing on promoting digital liberties and enforcing AI standards and safeguards.
Digital Government
Survey: CIOs Feel Elevated, Consider Themselves ‘Changemakers’
The survey found more than 3 in 4 chief information officers believe their roles have been elevated in response to recent economic times.
Ideas
2022’s Billion-dollar Disasters: Climate Change Helped Make it US’s 3rd Most Expensive Year on Record
Climate change seems to be making natural disasters more expensive.
Digital Government
OPM Has Replaced Its Embattled CFO Following Harassment Report
The Defense Department inspector general recently substantiated complaints that the senior executive sexually harassed subordinates and used racial slurs.
Digital Government
The Pentagon’s Innovation Shop Wants More Influence in 2023
The agency wants to be part of program executives’ acquisition strategies and to spread more commercial-based tech across the department.
People