Ideas
What Texas Power Outages Can Teach Us About Securing the Electric Grid
Cyber threats have the potential to impact the power grid in a similarly serious manner.
Digital Government
Federal Employees Sing Telework’s Praises, Want to Continue After the Pandemic
Survey results show those who have been doing their jobs remotely are happier and feel they are just as productive.
Cybersecurity
Homeland Security Secretary Backs Call for Mandatory Disclosure of Ransomware Payments
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the department will work with a task force developed by the private sector on ways to tamp down the increase in ransomware attacks.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers Consider the National Science Foundation’s Future
Federal leaders made their cases for increased funding into research and continued focus on technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Ideas
To Future-Proof the American Economy, We Need 5 Million Digital Jobs in 5 Years
The challenge isn’t having enough workers to fill these roles: It’s that available workers aren’t trained in these high-demand areas.
Digital Government
Biden Again Pitches Expanded Federal Research Investments to Keep U.S. Competitive
“China and other countries are closing in fast,” the president said during his first Congressional address.
Cybersecurity
White House Endorses Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Water Infrastructure Bill
A recent attempt by hackers to poison the water supply in a Florida town prompted calls for more resources.
Ideas
FTC Warns the AI Industry: Don't Discriminate, or Else
“Keep in mind that if you don’t hold yourself accountable, the FTC may do it for you,” an agency blog post said.
Cybersecurity
House Solarium Commission Members Press for More CISA Funding
“Congress was right to give the agency new authorities that allow it to better defend our interests in cyberspace, but without requisite funding, we’re setting CISA up for failure," the lawmakers wrote.
Digital Government
DHS Launches Internal Probe to Root Out 'Domestic Violent Extremism' Within Its Ranks
Department will work "with urgency and focus to address" insider threats, secretary says.
Digital Government
Feds’ Engagement and Job Satisfaction Rises Despite—or Because of—Pandemic
Officials who administered the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey warned against making sweeping conclusions about the 2020 results, due to changes in the survey's timing and some of its content.
Digital Government
Treasury IG Details IRS’ COVID-19-Related Customer Experience Issues
Millions of taxpayers have had a hard time reaching the IRS during the pandemic.
Digital Government
Audit Finds Inconsistencies in How DOD Buys through Consortia
The Defense Department Office of Inspector General unveiled problems with other transaction agreements including tracking, security, fee negotiation and training.
Ideas
The FBI Is Breaking into Corporate Computers to Remove Malicious Code – Smart Cyber Defense or Government Overreach
The actions raise questions about the power of courts to regulate cybersecurity without the consent of the owners of the targeted computers.
Digital Government
Republican Men Are Vaccine-Hesitant, But There's Little Focus on Them
About 13% of American adults don’t want a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Digital Government
OPM Nominee Sails Through Confirmation Hearing, Pledging to Support Feds and Uphold Merit System
Kiran Ahuja outlined her vision for the federal workforce and the need for the Office of Personnel Management to transform to become a 21st century personnel policymaking agency.
Policy
House Bill Would Direct Agencies to Examine Sexual Harassment in STEM
Those who introduced it intend to help pave the way for new federal policies.
Ideas
Biden Appointments Signal Major Changes In Digital Operations and Acquisition
Early signs suggest federal agencies may be on the cusp of a significant leap forward.
Cybersecurity
Existing Agency Threat Hunters Welcome CISA’s New Authorities
For the Department of Education, proactive threat hunting means not just taking down questionable URLs but buying them up.
Digital Government