Cybersecurity

Iranian Hackers Compromised a Federal Agency’s Network, CISA and FBI Say

Actors linked with the Iranian government were able to exploit an unpatched Log4Shell vulnerability—which the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency asked agencies to address by the end of 2021—in an unnamed agency’s network.

Digital Government

ICE Needs More Data to Monitor Foreign Students Taking US Research, Watchdog Says

The data is meant to assess the risk of foreign STEM students and scholars transferring technology from American universities to foreign entities.

Acquisition

Here’s what the contracting community thinks of the new proposed rule on climate reporting  

The proposed rule is part of the Biden administration’s larger environmental agenda, but it comes with costs for contractors. 

Cybersecurity

CISA Highlights Space, Bioeconomy as Possible New Critical Infrastructure Sectors

The agency also suggested existing sectors be consolidated and that there is a need for some agencies to exercise greater authority over private-sector entities.

Ideas

Biden to Federal Contractors: Make Plans to Cut Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Companies supplying the largest buyer of goods on the planet could soon have to get in line with the Paris Agreement.

Acquisition

CACI's $2.4B NSA win faces challenges

The National Security Agency will take another look at bids after a pair of protests.

Cybersecurity

DOD Must Enhance Cyber Incident Reporting and Sharing, Watchdog Says

The Government Accountability Office found that the Pentagon “lacks an accountable organization and consistent guidance” for documenting and sharing details about reported cyber incidents.

Digital Government

White House, agencies still sorting out who will pay for cross-agency service delivery work

OMB’s customer experience lead said Tuesday that more specifics for life experience projects will be made public in coming weeks.

Defense

Is the Pentagon changing fast enough?

So far, two former defense insiders say, new service organizations are more promise than improvement.

Cybersecurity

Deadline looms for plan to restart economy in case of major cyberattack

Lawmakers have been urging the Biden administration to develop a strategy first mandated in the Fiscal 2021 NDAA.

Cybersecurity

DHS Chief Appears to Back Status Quo Approach for Securing Critical Infrastructure

The Biden administration is looking to Congress for help with ‘filling gaps in statutory authorities’ for improving U.S. cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

China’s Cyber Capabilities ‘Pose a Serious Threat’ to US, Advisory Panel Warns

The panel’s report also called for the Biden administration to consider revoking China’s status as a favored trading partner if a congressional review finds that Beijing is not complying with its commitments.

Cybersecurity

Breaches of personal data at DOD have doubled since 2015

A recent oversight report detailed that the Defense Department experienced nearly 1,900 breaches of personally identifiable information in 2021 and may need a better system for informing affected individuals.

Digital Government

Over 40 International Business Groups Support Transatlantic Data Privacy Terms

A letter sent to EU and U.S. officials asked for more analysis on how requirements will be enforced within the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

Emerging Tech

GSA Tests Energy Tech to Achieve Federal Sustainability Goals

The agency is looking at solar tracking, off-grid mobile charging and carbon pollution-free electricity to meet goals set in a December 2021 executive order.

Ideas

Artemis Launch Delay Is the Latest of Many NASA Scrubs and Comes from Hard Lessons on Crew Safety

After its fourth delay, the Artemis 1 launch is now scheduled for Nov. 16, 2022. NASA has a history of missing launch deadlines, but the private sector is slowly making launches more reliable.

Policy

Early Chief Innovation Officers Define the Role for Government

Though few agencies have the position, two of the government’s chief innovation officers see a need for every part of government to innovate.