Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: White House Sanctions Russia over SolarWinds
Agencies involved in response also issued advisories on the hackers' tactics while Microsoft offered federal customers free trials of an auditing tool.
Emerging Tech
House Bill Would Direct Feds to Use Drones, Remote Sensors in U.S. Reforestation Efforts
The legislation calls for a five-year pilot program aimed at removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Digital Government
Bill Would Prohibit Sale of Americans’ Personal Data to Adversarial Countries
The proposal would establish an interagency group to categorize data, then develop a list of countries banned from importing individuals’ data that could threaten national security.
Emerging Tech
Human Rights Organizations Call for Corporate Ban on Facial Recognition Tech
The organizations called facial recognition "inherently discriminatory and dangerous."
Digital Government
No Domestic Surveillance Authorities Needed, NSA Director Reiterates
Instead, Gen. Paul Nakasone and other intelligence community leaders want better public-private partnerships to address “blind spots” in the cyber realm.
Modernization
Congress Gave OMB $1B for IT Upgrades. Now It Wants to Know How It Will Be Spent
Lawmakers want to know which projects will get prioritized and which will be recused from repaying the fund.
Digital Government
Survey: 69% of Women Under Age 30 Say COVID-19 Has Harmed Their Mental Health
Women are more likely to have experienced psychological consequences from the public health crisis. The health care system may not be equipped to respond.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Launched New Innovation Steering Group
The announcement came during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing highlighting Defense budget tensions.
Modernization
IRS Commissioner Calls for Multiyear Funding to Help Recoup Potential $1T Tax Gap
Charles Rettig told senators the agency needs increased resources to address aging tech systems and years of personnel cuts.
Cybersecurity
Agencies Have Till Midnight April 15 to Apply New Microsoft Exchange Patches
Four of the 95 vulnerabilities Microsoft released as part of its monthly “patch Tuesday” were identified by the National Security Agency.
Ideas
The Biden Administration’s Cybersecurity Roadmap
Making some changes to how the federal government buys cyber tools is one of the things the new Homeland Security secretary has mentioned.
Ideas
Digital Innovations Will Enhance CX in Government and Timing Couldn’t Be Better
But it’s important to remember that the citizen experience is about more than just the latest technology tools.
Digital Government
What Biden’s First Budget Indicates About His Approach to Emerging Tech
Experts weigh in on the administration’s discretionary proposal.
Cybersecurity
White House Names National Cyber Director, CISA Chief
The administration also announced nominees for other Homeland Security Department leaders.
Digital Government
Biden Budget Requests Major Investments for Federal Technology and Cybersecurity
The 1.5 trillion budget would give the Technology Modernization Fund and CISA big increases as well as launch new advanced research projects agencies.
Ideas
How CDOs Can Tackle the Federal Data Strategy 2021 Action Plan
Chief data officers will be making quick decisions that have far-reaching implications for their organizations.
Cybersecurity
White House to Seek Industry Input on New Software Security Rules, NSC Official Says
The administration wants to make sure the private sector has the ability to weigh in on procurement standards in an impending executive order.
Digital Government
CBP Explores Options to Boost Access to Commercial Airline Data
Responses to a new RFI are due later this month.
Policy
Jobs Plan Is Part of Competing with China, Commerce Secretary Says
Gina Raimondo said President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal will be key in out-competing China.
Cybersecurity