Cybersecurity
Chinese telecom breaches won’t sway election outcomes, CISA chief says
The top U.S. cyber defense agency has seen “no evidence of activity that has the potential to materially impact the outcome of the presidential election,” Jen Easterly said Monday.
Artificial Intelligence
House Dems join push to create AI-focused civil rights offices across government
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., would require that federal agencies “utilizing, funding or overseeing AI” establish civil rights offices to address algorithmic bias.
People
Employee group urges centralized response to increase in doxxing and threats against federal workers
The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network urged department leadership to create a centralized “triage” team to better tackle instances where members of the public doxx or threaten employees online.
Digital Government
Former federal tech leaders share transition wisdom ahead of 2024 election
Despite changing administrations, experts say technology priorities remain constant while emphasizing importance of communication and workforce development.
Cybersecurity
Russia produced fake video of immigrant election fraud in Georgia, officials say
CISA is “very concerned” about the ways foreign adversaries might ramp up their efforts during the election certification period, one official said.
Artificial Intelligence
State to develop new AI marketplace for staff
Following a deluge of modernization updates, State officials discussed their AI-centric priorities, including a custom marketplace and leveraging classified intel into AI tools.
People
Nominations are open for the 2025 Fed100 awards
The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, 2024.
Acquisition
Groundswell challenges Army's award of business system consolidation contract
In its protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Groundswell is questioning how the Army stuck with long-time incumbent Accenture Federal Services for the project.
Policy
Trump and Musk want to create a government efficiency commission. It’s not a new idea
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both spearheaded initiatives to reduce government waste and inefficiency, although they went about it in vastly different ways.
Cybersecurity
Fed, intel and military groups warn data broker practices may threaten national security
The groups wrote a letter concerning a CFPB rule, which is still in development, that would require certain data brokers to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order
The agency said it has hired 31 technologists for its AI Corps and completed three pilot projects that have provided “valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations.”
Emerging Tech
Who tells satellites where to take pictures? Increasingly, it’ll be robots, Maxar says
Automated scans of low-res imagery will cue high-res passes, while simulations will help manage ever-growing queues for service.
Cybersecurity
‘Every single American’ a target of election interference, former DHS official says
Adversaries have heavily accelerated efforts to sway the outcome of next week’s presidential election.
Artificial Intelligence
VA announces creation of new AI testing ground with FDA
VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal told Nextgov/FCW that the testing environment is “a check in the process” to ensure that AI tools comply with federal guidance on the use of emerging tech.
Artificial Intelligence
AI can improve how federal employees do their jobs, but training and resources need to be a priority
The IRS chief human capital officer said that training can no longer be viewed as an expendable expense.
Artificial Intelligence
Americans want AI disclaimers, FEC commissioner says
Federal Election Commission’s Shana Broussard’s insights follow the agency’s recent decision surrounding generative AI in political ads.
Policy
Officials across the country say they are confident in the integrity of the pending election
Those administering the election process are highly aware of a multitude of potential threats targeting the pending election but are also confident in their planning, sometimes years in the making.
Breaking News
Acquisition
US charges 6 for conspiring to defraud agencies through IT contracting schemes
The charges are the first in an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into “IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers” that sell to the government.
Digital Government
Cutting red tape is key to financial inclusion, Treasury says
A new Department of Treasury strategy calls on those delivering government programs to make them easier to access.
Cybersecurity