Cybersecurity
Biden Executive Order Reinforces Agency Cyber Priorities
CIOs discuss how agency leadership and change management facilitate Biden’s cybersecurity executive order implementation.
Cybersecurity
FISMA Bill Drops in House Amid Confusion Over Federal CISO Role
Rep. John Katko is continuing a campaign to make the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency a central Chief Information Security Office—or CISO— for federal civilian agencies.
Digital Government
DISA’s First Diversity Chief Wants Tech and Data to Make a Difference
Damien Terry briefed Nextgov on his vision and goals for the new role—including a potential request for information in the pipeline.
Policy
Biden Admin Touts ‘Significant Progress’ in Made in America Office's First Year
The office’s purpose is to coordinate federal efforts and maximize the use of domestic goods by taxpayer-funded federal agencies when appropriate.
Cybersecurity
Ransomware to overtake phishing as top cause for data compromises, report says
A new report says 2021 set a record for data breaches, but increasingly notifications to victims and authorities often lack transparency, hindering investigations.
Policy
Kazakhstan’s Internet Shutdown is the Latest Episode in an Ominous Trend: Digital Authoritarianism
Governments are increasingly using the internet as a means to an end.
Digital Government
Citizen satisfaction with federal government services hits all-time low
The American Customer Satisfaction Index 2021 Federal Government Report showed citizen satisfaction in government services in a freefall over the last four years, with declines across all driving indicators of satisfaction.
Policy
Citizen Satisfaction With Federal Government Services Hits All-time Low
The American Customer Satisfaction Index 2021 Federal Government Report showed citizen satisfaction in government services in a freefall over the last four years, with declines across all driving indicators of satisfaction.
People
Biden administration confirms it will mostly pause punishment of unvaccinated feds
White House issues new guidance as it appeals nationwide injunction.
Digital Government
No easy fix for ID verification for government benefits
While states are looking for turnkey solutions to qualify applicants for government programs, many individuals without the right credentials can fall between the cracks.
Emerging Tech
GSA Working to Expand on Social Security Administration’s Digital Identity System
There’s a solid cybersecurity argument for electronic verification, but equity can’t be neglected, observers say.
Digital Government
Watchdog: HUD Disaster Relief Could Use Better Data Collection, Analysis
A GAO report found one of HUD’s aid programs could be more efficient if more accurate demographic information is harvested and referenced prior to distributing funds.
Emerging Tech
NOAA Should Reassess Geostationary Satellite Launch Plans, IG Says
It isn’t the first time the satellite program has come under scrutiny.
Defense
A USAF initiative for the hybrid workplace
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center in Joint Base San Antonio has been transitioning to a hybrid work environment for two years, shrinking physical facilities by 40%.
Ideas
Taking Control of Ransomware and Other Malware with a Zero-Trust Strategy
Antivirus, sandboxing and similar detection techniques can’t keep up. It’s time for agencies to transform their approach to thwarting malware.
People
Court block of contractor vaccine mandate does not bar workplace safety measures
A block of the Biden administration's order that contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19 or test regularly has been in place since December.
Policy
DHS Expands Fields of Study In STEM Training Program
The 22 new fields of study have been added to the STEM Optional Practical Training program in a bid to keep U.S. science and math education competitive.
Emerging Tech
How mRNA and DNA Vaccines Could Soon Treat Cancers, HIV, Autoimmune Disorders and Genetic Diseases
Vaccines could be coming for issues we traditionally could not vaccinate against.
Cybersecurity
NSA: Securing Cloud-Related PDFs Shouldn’t Mean Sacrificing Usability
The rise of editable Portable Document Files created a new avenue for attackers, but the right configuration can protect most systems without compromising functionality, NSA says.
People