Artificial Intelligence

DHS Tech Directorate Sets Goals to Guide Risk-Aware Artificial Intelligence Use

It’s meant to complement the department’s broader enterprise strategy and could prove helpful to other agencies.

Ideas

What Are Dark Patterns? An Online Media Expert Explains

It’s not you; many e-commerce websites are difficult to use by design.

Digital Government

Watchdog: COVID-19 Spending Using OTAs Had Less Oversight, Transparency Than Usual

For example, of the $12.5 billion awarded using other transaction authorities, nearly 60% was funneled through a single consortium management company.

Cybersecurity

National cyber director backs new Bureau of Cyber Statistics

The White House is still considering whether to support the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendation to establish a Bureau of Cyber Statistics, National Cyber Director Chris Inglis said on Monday, while stressing the urgent need for the federal government to begin assessing and publishing data on cybersecurity incidents.

Cybersecurity

Survey: Nearly 3 in 4 Organizations Suffered Data Breaches Due to Phishing

More than half of respondents indicated concerns about hybrid work environments and defending against malicious emails. 

People

HHS looks to reset labor relations

Some federal agencies are leveraging a Biden administration executive order to change the tone of labor-management relations but unions say a few departments aren't taking the order to heart.

Digital Government

Social Security 'Overwhelmed' by Mail, Infuriating Customers Seeking Documents

With most employees teleworking during the pandemic, the watchdog faulted the agency for not having a system to track and return customers’ identification documents.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers Propose OMB-Led AI Training Program for Government Buyers

The program would train procurement officials about artificial intelligence as a technology and its risks.

Modernization

Navy aims to tackle cross-domain data sharing in Project Overmatch

The Navy is hoping to clear network and data hurdles at the tactical edge with its answer to Joint All Domain Command and Control.

People

Unions press SSA leaders for a new contract, workplace safety plan

Biden ousted top leaders at the Social Security Administration last month, but some union officials say more personnel change is needed further down the ladder.

Cybersecurity

New report details America's water infrastructure cyber vulnerabilities

Water utilities across the country are plagued by a lack of cybersecurity funding and qualified personnel, a ThreatLocker report warns, as officials work to create new guidelines on securing critical infrastructure.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: Aug. 3, 2021

The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Cybersecurity

The White House Is Deciding Whether to Support a Bureau of Cyber Statistics

A key senator introduced a bill containing one of the more controversial recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

Artificial Intelligence

Senators Introduce Bill to Help Agencies Counter Deepfakes and Deceptive Media

The proposal would create a Department of Homeland Security-led task force to pinpoint technologies useful to trace content back to inception.

Digital Government

How FAA’s Latest Challenge Looped in Data Newbies

In addition to creating new visualizations about national airspace, the agency encouraged employees who don’t work with data or in IT to give its tools a spin.

Acquisition

DOD could face $4 billion in pandemic reimbursement payments for contractors

According to a GAO report, the Defense Department may have $4 billion in eligible reimbursements for contractors under the CARES Act.

Ideas

What Is Section 230? An Expert on Internet Law and Regulation Explains the Legislation that Paved the Way for Facebook, Google and Twitter

The 1996 law passed while the internet was still embryonic and downright terrifying to some lawmakers for what it could unleash.

Digital Government

Public libraries and government innovation

Steve Kelman notes an example of government reinvention at the very local level.