Cybersecurity
CISA: SolarWinds Hackers Got Into Networks by Guessing Passwords
The agency also highlighted new indicators of compromise and recommendations for mitigating follow on activity involving Microsoft Cloud users.
Digital Government
OPM Failed to Issue Guidance for D.C. Federal Workers During Insurrection
There was substantial warning ahead of the arrival of the group that violently stormed the U.S. Capitol seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election.
Cybersecurity
Trump Executive Order Attempts to Ban 8 More Chinese Apps
The move adds more Chinese companies—including three payment apps—to a list that already included TikTok and WeChat.
Modernization
IT Panel Makes Recommendations for Social Security’s Tech Modernization
The recommendations come as the Social Security Administration embarks on a years-long IT modernization.
Cybersecurity
Russia ‘Likely’ Behind Widespread Hack, Cyber Response Agencies Say
The Cyber Unified Coordination Group believes fewer than ten government agencies were compromised in what is an ongoing intelligence operation.
Modernization
House Passes Bill to Codify and Revamp FedRAMP
The bill would provide $20 million in annual appropriations for the federal cloud security program.
Modernization
HHS Websites Will Get Customer Experience Scores in 2021
As part of the updated digital strategy, Health and Human Services Department program offices will be getting graded on a “CX scale.”
Cybersecurity
Government Watchdogs Launch Cyber-Threat Sharing Assessment
In the wake of the recent hack, Microsoft President Brad Smith said contractual obligations hurt cross-government sharing following breaches.
Digital Government
Federal Agencies Have Distributed 200K Coronavirus Vaccine Doses So Far
Four agencies have provided the shots from their own distributions, but this only represents a fraction of the doses the agencies received.
Digital Government
DOD Expands Data Repository for Business Information Across the Enterprise
The Defense Repository for Common Enterprise Data will be able to support more information systems across the agency with the new designation.
Digital Government
GAO: Bid Protests Down 2% in 2020
For a second straight year, the Government Accountability Office dealt with fewer bid protests.
Digital Government
State Selects First Permanent Chief Data Officer
Matthew Graviss previously served as USCIS’ first CDO and will report to Janice deGarmo, who was recently promoted at State.
Ideas
6 Lessons From 2020 Federal Leaders Should Apply in the Months to Come
As the embers of the dumpster fire that was 2020 burn away, important lessons provide light for the way forward in 2021.
Cybersecurity
CMMC: The Dramatic Year of the Pentagon’s Contractor Cybersecurity Program
The Defense Department’s main effort to protect its supply chain from cyber threats charged ahead through the pandemic but not without controversy.
Digital Government
DOD Released Its First Enterprisewide Data Strategy in 2020. Here’s Why It Matters.
While industry experts say the strategy lays a much-needed foundation, the devil’s in the details when it comes to implementation.
Cybersecurity
Hack Spurs Call for Greater—but Measured—Supply Chain Scrutiny
Operational cybersecurity hygiene is one thing, criteria for using open-source code is another, one expert says.
Emerging Tech
FAA Unveils Final Drone Rules for Remote ID, Nighttime Flights and Operations Over Humans
Unmanned aircraft systems will have to broadcast their “digital license plates” to legally zip around most places in the future.
Ideas
Seat Belts and Smoking Rates Show People Eventually Adopt Healthy Behaviors—But It Can Take Time We Don't Have During a Pandemic
It generally takes years of dragging people, kicking and screaming, to finally achieve new and improved societal norms.
Policy
The Federal CX Moves that Mattered in 2020
Experts expect momentum in improving service delivery and customer experience to continue under the coming Biden administration.
Digital Government