Emerging Tech

NOAA and Saildrone Launch Several Hurricane-Tracking Surface Drones

The agency uses drones to collect hurricane data and help improve hurricane weather forecasts.

Cybersecurity

New Bill Would Unlock Cybersecurity Funding for Small Businesses

Sen. Maggie Hassan’s proposed law would help set up funds to protect smaller organizations from malware.

Cybersecurity

Text messages are federal records and must be saved, DOD orders

After news that Jan. 6 insurrection-related texts were wiped from former Pentagon officials’ phones, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks ordered data on department devices must be retained. 

Cybersecurity

Misinformation Campaigns and Threats are Undermining Confidence in U.S. Elections, Official Says

CISA is ramping up efforts to defend voting systems from outside intrusion, but the spread of online misinformation and threats against election officials still damage faith in the electoral process.

Digital Government

Accurate U.S. Crime Data Demands More State Participation

FBI Director Christopher Wray discussed federal data reporting from state and local jurisdictions, and how advanced technologies stand to help.

Modernization

Senate Committee Approves AGILE Procurement Act for IT and Communications Tech

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs advanced the AGILE Act of 2022 in an effort to help improve the federal government’s IT procurement process.

Cybersecurity

A top senate democrat asks the defense watchdog to investigate a new batch of missing Jan. 6 texts

“I don’t know whether the failure to preserve these critical government texts from Jan. 6 is the result of bad faith, stunning incompetence, or outdated records management policies, but we must get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Cybersecurity

National Cyber Director’s office sheds light on forthcoming cybersecurity strategy

Building a more resilient cyber ecosystem tops the list, according to a top official from the office tasked with leading the initiative. 

Emerging Tech

NASA Authorization Act Aims to Strengthen U.S. Space Exploration

The NASA Authorization Act was passed as part of the CHIPS Act and is the first authorization bill for NASA in five years.

Modernization

Averting the next pandemic with real-time health data

The Center for Public Health Data would aggregate federal, state and local health data and make it accessible in real time so it can be used for decision-making as health threats unfold.

Ideas

China Has a New Global Development Initiative, But Who Will Actually Benefit From It?

China has another plan to enhance its global political and economic power.

Digital Government

Can a Fitness App Ease the Military’s Recruitment Crisis?

App gives recruiters a tool to monitor how their recruits are shaping up before shipping out.

Digital Government

TMF Announces Over $26 million for Three Projects

The Technology Modernization Fund is making good on its promise earlier this year to support projects focusing on improving public-facing digital services.

Ideas

Fueled by Virtually Unrestricted Social Media Access, White Nationalism is on the Rise and Attracting Violent Young White Men

Social media provides a platform for attracting violent extremists that has never existed before.

Acquisition

Lawmakers push Biden for an order to root out dark money from federal contractors

A group of lawmakers want the White House to issue an executive order requiring large federal contractors to disclose their political spending – but not everyone is in support of the idea.

Cybersecurity

How the Cyber Ambassador In Waiting Plans to Control $1.5 Billion for Open Networks

The recently passed “CHIPS and Science Act” funds a grants program that the new State Department official will have a key role in steering, including to telecom networking firms.

Digital Government

VA Appoints Functional Champion to Help Streamline Embattled EHR Rollout

The selection of Dr. David Massaro to the senior role fills out the leadership team of the VA office tasked with “processing and resolving patient care concerns” related to the agency's new electronic health record system

Digital Government

Government Authority to Counter Drones Gets Expansion Under New Legislation 

The Senate bill  would extend the DHS and DOJ’s drone-countering abilities that are set to expire in October, while also implementing some of the Biden administration’s recommendations for mitigating risks posed by potentially malicious drones.