Digital Government
What should agencies consider for their remote work plans?
A new memo from OPM Acting Director Robert Shriver details specific factors agency leaders should consider when designing their remote work strategy for the federal workforce.
Ideas
The coming cyber reckoning for federal contractors
Contractors face a 90-day deadline to prove their cybersecurity compliance as awards for the OASIS+ vehicle start to fall and that is a precursor to broader industry-wide requirements, DTS CEO Edward Tuorinsky writes.
Emerging Tech
The Pentagon’s IT agency looks to expand cloud offshore
The agency has been expanding services outside the continental U.S. while reworking tools to ease data access.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon planning huge experiment for its connect-everything concept
“We see significant progress,” in opening up DOD data, one observer said. But a bigger, multinational test is coming.
Exclusive
Emerging Tech
U.S. quantum cryptography standards set for release next week
NIST’s flagship post-quantum cryptography guidance that would help protect against decryption capabilities enabled by quantum computers aimed for release the week of Aug. 12.
Ideas
Following the federal cybersecurity money trail
COMMENTARY: Cybersecurity is crucial to everything from massive critical infrastructure projects to the safe operation of small businesses and increasingly to the private life of every American.
Cybersecurity
Iran is accelerating US election influence operations, Microsoft research says
One Iran-linked disinformation collective staged covert news websites that focused on politically divisive topics. Another group breached a low-level account in a county-level swing state.
Cybersecurity
Nearly 200 firms have signed pledge to build more secure software, top cyber official says
The initial tally began at around 70 companies when CISA first headlined the initiative at RSA Conference in San Francisco.
Digital Government
Lawmakers look to extend COVID-19 telehealth med exemption for veterans
A bipartisan House bill would allow VA clinicians to prescribe veterans with controlled medications through the targeted extension of a pandemic-era waiver.
Defense
Wartime need for drones would outstrip US production. There’s a way to fix that
The U.S. military needs to “mainstream” new operating concepts and get going with big orders, experts say.
People
DARPA hires Twitter whistleblower to serve as its CIO
Peiter “Mudge” Zatko — the former security head of then-Twitter who alleged that the platform was overlooking critical security flaws — will be returning to DARPA after almost a decade away in the private sector.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft, Palantir partner to expand AI offerings to defense and intelligence agencies
The new suite of offerings will be available on Microsoft’s Azure Government and Azure Government Secret and Top Secret clouds.
Cybersecurity
Top US cyber agency hasn’t seen infamous Chinese hackers breach election infrastructure
A pervasive hacking collective being tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies hasn’t been seen breaking into any election infrastructure, but visibility into the group’s activities still isn’t clear, according to CISA Director Jen Easterly.
Cybersecurity
Proposal for a federal cyber training institute study passes key Senate committee
It’s one among several cybersecurity workforce-focused bills on the Hill this Congress.
Artificial Intelligence
Major tech companies pledge efforts to monitor AI-based content ahead of 2024 election
Senate Intel Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., received responses from 19 tech companies pledging actions like content moderation, airtight watermarking and strict licensing practices.
Policy
Bipartisan bill pushes DHS to review terrorist risks from foreign-based mobile apps
The legislative proposal calls out several China- and Russia-tied apps for particular attention.
People
OPM’s retirement backlog continued to creep higher in July
The Office of Personnel Management processed nearly 500 fewer retirement requests than it received last month, causing its backlog to inch up for the second straight month.
Artificial Intelligence
Justice broadens its AI data analysis abilities to process video, redact info
An expanded contract with AI software firm Veritone will allow the Department of Justice to streamline unstructured data for limited requested public access and investigative efforts.
Defense
Air Force seeks secure cloud app to manage flights for govt VIPs
The new tool is critical “due to significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the existing scheduling system,” the branch says in a notice for industry.
People