Ideas
Common App Announces Changes to Create More Inclusive College Application Process for LGBTQ+ Students
The Common App board announced it will reframe its sex and gender questions, barriers to higher education LGBTQ+ people face.
Cybersecurity
Hackers Seized on the Pandemic. Some States Are Fighting Back.
Cyberattackers have forced states to take down websites, stolen $36 billion in unemployment payments and exposed millions of residents’ personal information to scammers.
Modernization
DISA Tech Programs Paved the Way for DOD Mass Telework
Two Defense Department officials pointed to culture as a key challenge counteracting innovation.
Ideas
The Art of (Big Tech) War
The uncomfortable truth is the government is the underdog in this fight.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: State Department Cyber Office Clears Committee Amid Push for International Norms
Here are the news and updates you might have missed.
Digital Government
IG: ‘Tens of Billions’ in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in 2020
A Labor Department Inspector General memo suggests a massive uptick in fraudulent unemployment claims brought on by COVID-19.
Digital Government
Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick
William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”
Ideas
How to Really Fix COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduling
The traditional vaccine sign-up model does not work when the demand for vaccines far exceeds supply.
Ideas
How China’s Digital Silk Road Is Leading Countries Away from the United States
Beijing is using technology products, markets, and training to secure influence with U.S. security partners, a IISS report finds.
Digital Government
Democratic Lawmakers Call Out TV Companies Over Misinformation Spread
The pair asked cable, satellite and streaming TV companies about conspiracy-related content ahead of a Feb. 24 hearing.
Cybersecurity
Hacking Campaign Fuels Calls for Information Sharing Mandate
Senators weigh potential protections from liability for incident reports amid concerns about cyber hygiene.
Digital Government
Microsoft President Calls for Bid Protest Reforms
As the company awaits a decision on the embattled JEDI contract, its president told senators the contract-dispute process could use streamlining.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Who’s Afraid of EMPs?
Electromagnetic pulses are frequently boogeymen in pop culture but the federal government takes real steps to prepare for them.
Ideas
3 Ways Companies Could Offer More Father-Friendly Policies that Will Help Women
One of the biggest problems in contemporary policies aimed at gender equality in the workplace is that they leave out men.
Cybersecurity
SolarWinds CEO Recommends Liability Protections for Sharing Information about Incidents
The new CEO had a couple of other asks for Congress too.
Digital Government
Veterans Affairs Rolls Out Ethics Framework for Guarding Vets’ Data
The agency aims to set expectations around who can manage, view and access veteran data.
Modernization
Lawmakers Call for Federal Program to Upgrade Unemployment Systems
Many people filing for unemployment during the pandemic have experienced long delays. Subpar technology is one of the factors commonly blamed for problems.
Cybersecurity
CISA Chief Says the Agency’s Global Initiative Is to Support the State Department
International cybersecurity work of both the State and Homeland Security departments will rely on support from Congress.
Cybersecurity
Marine Corps Looks for Insider Threat Monitoring Capability
And another Marine Corps application addressing a specific kind of insider threat—suicidal ideation—will be established as a system of records.
Ideas