Artificial Intelligence
Report calls for deterrence mechanisms, government participation in AI-biology security
“The federal government just does not have enough experts left to handle this threat or even be able to coordinate among outside groups without significant immediate investment,” one federal official said of the report’s findings.
Cybersecurity
DOJ charges 17 Iranians in cybertheft campaign
Prosecutors say the Mabna Institute — which conducted intrusions for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, among other campaigns — stole 31.5 terabytes of academic data and breached email accounts at U.S. agencies and companies.
Digital Government
Social Security expands electronic health record sharing to speed up disability claims adjudication
A health data sharing superhighway “allows SSA to access complete, structured medical records within seconds or minutes for claimants, helping to significantly reduce disability claim processing times,” an agency official told Nextgov/FCW.
Cybersecurity
The Russian hurdle in Trump’s new offensive cyber program
The White House wants private companies to help take down cybercriminals overseas. But in Russia, the line between criminal hackers and the government is difficult to draw.
Cybersecurity
CISA contemplates whether to hire security software buying help
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a sources sought notice that describes its desire to bring in a company that can help manage enterprise license and materials purchases.
Artificial Intelligence
Labor looks to AI to tackle accommodation requests from disabled employees
Employees say they’ve waited months or longer for decisions, as the Labor Department considers using AI to sort requests and flag missing documentation.
Policy
White House S&T strategy calls for new approaches to safeguard US research
The new guidance says the U.S. "will further strengthen its workforce by attracting and retaining top-tier global talent in critical national security S&T fields” — a departure from last year’s National Security Strategy that said global talent “undercuts American workers.”
People
National crisis and support hotline operations remained consistent despite staffing cuts, watchdog found
Some staff operating mental health support hotlines at the departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs were subject to reductions in force last year and have not yet been replaced.
Ideas
CMMC Works. Now let’s sharpen it.
COMMENTARY | This is not the moment to loosen the standard. The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement requirements behind CMMC should not change.
People
L3Harris promotes Mehta to CEO in abrupt leadership change
Chris Kubasik, L3Harris’ CEO since June 2021, has left the company following a code of conduct investigation.
Cybersecurity
As warfare becomes engineering, the era of the digital mercenary dawns
The White House revives “privateering for the digital age” by authorizing cyber firms to strike foreign targets.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Leveraging AI for environmental evaluations; crafting a report on China’s AI ecosystem; and more
Recently proposals look, in part, to deploy artificial intelligence solutions to prevent natural disasters from impeding U.S. military operations and evaluate China’s AI chip manufacturing sector.
Ideas
Gartner has confirmed the battle for authority is happening right now. Is your agency ready for the aftermath?
COMMENTARY | If agencies don't act, the consequences won't be abstract.
Digital Government
Blue states seek to stop DHS from accessing commercial driver's license database
In a court filing, a coalition of Democrat-led states says the Department of Homeland Security’s demand for trucker data is part of a broader effort to create a “nationwide surveillance system.”
Modernization
FAA brings in AT&T for network modernization program
The Federal Aviation Administration is developing a potential 15-year contract with AT&T to support the overhaul of the air traffic control system.
Acquisition
OneGov savings balloon to over $1.6B as agencies weigh future of AI in contracting
The General Services Administration has already agreed to extend some OneGov deals and is working on brokering new ones, according to an official.
Ideas
CISA just changed the rules. Is your vulnerability program ready?
COMMENTARY | BOD 26-04 is a mandate about process. What it implies is a mandate about intelligence.
Policy
GAO official suggests addressing AI risks through existing legislation
Nick Marinos, the managing director of IT and cybersecurity issues at GAO, said leveraging existing avenues for cybersecurity information sharing can expedite getting AI safety policies into law.
Cybersecurity
Trump admin empowers private US firms to go after transnational cybercriminals
“By partnering with vetted United States companies subject to the direction and oversight of the Federal Government, we will enhance our ability to counter [transnational criminal organizations’] threats and combat transnational cybercrime, fraud, and other predatory schemes against American citizens,” the memo said.
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