Digital Government
IRS backs away from facial recognition technology
The move comes after a letter from Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden urged the tax agency to end a controversial contract with ID.me that requires taxpayers to submit biometric data to file tax returns online.
Modernization
USDA, Justice Launch Website To Report Anticompetitive Behavior in Agriculture
The new portal will allow farmers and ranchers to report unfair behavior from other producers in the industry.
Cybersecurity
IRS Suggests Need to Disclose Crypto Exchange Information to Law Enforcement
A letter the tax bureau sent to a key senator says stronger penalties for failure to report cryptocurrency-based income gains might also help deter cyber criminals.
Artificial Intelligence
FDA’s Modernization to Focus on Agency Mission and People
The agency's acting CTO Sohail Chaudhry said FDA plans to implement machine learning tools that require minimal training.
Ideas
Increasing Transparency, Diversity and Innovation in the Intelligence Community
To build and retain the next generation of intelligence professionals, the IC should pull back the curtain to help prospective talent see themselves in these roles.
Digital Government
Congress Is Heading Toward Yet Another Stopgap Spending Bill This Week to Avoid a Shutdown
A short-term measure will allow appropriators to get over the finish line on full-year spending, top House Democrat says.
Cybersecurity
NIST Suggests Agencies Accept the Word of Software Producers Per Executive Order
The standards agency said an attestation from vendors themselves would be sufficient when screening for cybersecurity, unless an agency's risk calculus suggests otherwise.
Modernization
As IRS grapples with ID.me, what's next for Login.gov?
The tax agency is in the hot seat with Congress and privacy advocates because it's asking citizens for a selfie to verify their identity with a private-sector service to file taxes online, but why won't the IRS use the government's homegrown ID system?
Cybersecurity
NSA rounds up the year in cyber
The National Security Agency's Cybersecurity Collaboration Center helped mitigate major vulnerabilities in 2021 while serving as a critical hub for industry and government officials to collaborate on cyber initiatives in an unclassified setting, according to a new report.
Cybersecurity
New Cyber Safety Board Pivots to Tackle log4j Vulnerabilities
The DHS body’s primary focus will be on addressing vulnerabilities in the commonly used log4j software library, but will also incorporate findings on the ‘SolarWinds’ hack.
Emerging Tech
Air Force Commits Millions to Demonstrate ‘Space Internet’
Constellations of spacecraft spanning different orbits would be explored to provide connectivity.
Emerging Tech
Aviation Official: 5G and Air Travel Can 'Safely Coexist'
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson testified that improved information and new altimeters are two components of safeguarding air travel amid 5G C-band deployment.
Digital Government
CMMC Program Moves Under Defense CIO
The Defense Department has shifted responsibility for its unified cybersecurity program for contractors to the chief information officer.
Ideas
What It Will Take for NIST, CISA and OMB to Align on Zero Trust
Establishing a successful zero-trust architecture without implementing integrity monitoring is not possible.
Emerging Tech
Agencies Are Tapping a Facial Recognition Company to Prove You’re You. That Raises Concerns about Privacy, Accuracy and Fairness
Federal and state governments are turning to a facial recognition company to ensure that people accessing services are who they say they are. The move promises to cut down on fraud, but at what cost?
Defense
CMMC gets a new home in the Pentagon
The Defense Department has shifted responsibility for its unified cybersecurity program for contractors to the chief information officer.
Acquisition
GSA, DOD seek clean electricity to meet emissions targets
The federal government's two top buyers of electricity are exploring ways to procure carbon-pollution free electricity to meet the demands of a Biden administration executive order.
Emerging Tech
Defense Department Previews New Future-Facing Technology Aims
A fresh memorandum marks a key element informing the Pentagon’s in-development science and technology strategy.
People
This book has an awful title, but says a lot of great things
Steve Kelman explores "The Power of Flexing"
Defense