Cybersecurity
More than 70% of surveyed water systems failed to meet EPA cyber standards
The agency says it will take certain enforcement actions in cases where there is imminent danger from a cyberthreat against water infrastructure.
Ideas
A bittersweet birthday party for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Steve Kelman worries that the Biden administration is steering federal buyers away from best-value goals.
Cybersecurity
House panel advances measure to dissolve SEC cyber disclosure rule
The White House has said the president would veto any legislative effort to revoke the rule.
Cybersecurity
New mailing list aims to share hacking attempts on open-source projects
The Siren email list allows members to share active exploitations of open-source projects, fueled by recent attempts to sabotage free-to-use software tooling
Exclusive
Modernization
IRS is making headway on modernizing 1960s-era tax system, commissioner says
The IRS is currently testing a modernized Individual Master File system in the hopes it can potentially switch to the modern version for the next tax season.
Emerging Tech
NSF to issue framework addressing national security implications of sensitive research
The agency’s director noted that the TRUST framework — based on recommendations made in a recent advisory group report — will be unveiled “in the coming months.”
Artificial Intelligence
VA is already using AI to identify and assist veterans in crisis, officials say
The use of AI capabilities to review the agency’s surveys to veterans has helped save a couple thousand lives and helped another couple thousand retired servicemembers receive housing, according to VA’s chief veterans experience officer.
Digital Government
Labor Department debuts website for migrant workers in 6 new languages
“Our mandate includes protecting the rights of all workers,” a department official told reporters this week.
Defense
The US is still falling behind on electronic warfare, special operators warn
New space and low-power solutions are needed to operate against modern jamming.
Cybersecurity
FCC to propose requiring internet providers mitigate security flaws in core data routing protocol
The commission will consider new authorities underpinned by its net neutrality vote last month.
People
Top CISA official Eric Goldstein to depart agency next month
Goldstein was part of several Biden-era CISA initiatives. It’s unclear what his plans are next.
Artificial Intelligence
White House, Labor look to protect workers from AI-fueled harms
The Labor Department put out new guidance to encourage employers and AI developers to consider worker empowerment amid AI technology deployment.
Cybersecurity
CISA issues guidance to help federal agencies better encrypt DNS traffic
The guidance is part of a broader effort to help the federal ecosystem meet a zero trust deadline this fall.
Emerging Tech
TSA’s biometrics deployment will take 25 years, unless lawmakers end fee diversion, agency head tells Congress
The Transportation Security Administration chief told lawmakers that it will take until 2049 to deploy facial recognition technology at U.S. airports if significant revenue from the 9/11 security fee continues to be diverted away from the agency.
Cybersecurity
North Korean IT workers tried getting jobs in government agencies — the US is offering $5M for details
DPRK operatives have long worked to position themselves in remote IT jobs and pilfer money for Pyongyang's weapons programs.
Ideas
New IRS statistics demonstrate Direct File is costly and redundant
COMMENTARY | Rather than spending millions of dollars on an unproven, unnecessary and costly program, the IRS should redirect its resources towards bolstering Free File, a no-cost private alternative.
Acquisition
Pre-award protests cleared in FBI's $7B IT services pact
The Government Accountability Office rejects the last pre-award protest involving this blanket purchase agreement for IT services and supplies.
Cybersecurity
Cyber, intel chiefs confident in election security but AI-manipulated content poses challenges
The threat environment is “more complex than ever,” said CISA director Jen Easterly.
Modernization
Proposed deep cuts to VA’s tech budget rankle lawmakers
The Biden administration’s FY25 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs proposes steep cuts to the agency’s IT services, including a 99% reduction in VA’s development initiatives from FY24.
Cybersecurity