Modernization
Report: Agencies Must Adapt Services More Quickly to Meet Customer Demands
The government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests it should continue being agile in its approach to service delivery.
Cybersecurity
CISA Reveals Timeline for Improving Anemic Information Sharing Program
The private sector has been pushing for greater liability protections before participating in a two-way exchange of cyber threats and vulnerabilities with the agency.
Cybersecurity
DHS Exempts Expanded Insider Threat Program From Key Privacy Act Provisions
The agency will be allowed to collect large amounts of data without having to follow several provisions regarding disclosure, relevance and the sharing of that information.
Digital Government
865,000 Women Left the Workforce Last Month
Overall, 661,000 jobs were added in the U.S. labor force between August and September — but women still left it at alarming numbers.
Digital Government
House Passes Bill to Protect Federal Employees Returning to Workplaces
The Senate introduced a companion version on Wednesday.
Cybersecurity
Industry Groups Spar Over NDAA Provisions on Sourcing of Electronics from China
Dueling letters to lawmakers support and oppose language requiring the department to phase out the procurement of some basic technology from adversarial nations.
Digital Government
'Nobody Knows What's Going On': Census Workers Decry Chaos as Trump Administration Challenges Court Order
Census enumerators say they have received inconsistent messages and workloads in recent days despite court order to keep count going.
Digital Government
Despite President’s Comments, Transition Efforts Required By Law Are Underway
The Trump administration so far has met all of its requirements to prepare for the transition to a second term or a new president.
Modernization
Lawmakers Propose Using FCC E-Rate Funds to Boost Individuals’ Internet Access
The Federal Communications Commission-provided funds have historically been distributed to institutions instead of people.
Digital Government
Trump Signs Shutdown-Averting Stopgap Spending Bill
Measure will keep agencies funded through Dec. 11.
Digital Government
Dr. Anthony Fauci Says Americans Should Trust Credibility of COVID-19 Vaccine Process
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, blamed “mixed messages that have come out of Washington” for waning public trust.
Artificial Intelligence
House Passes Bills to Boost Emerging Tech and Shore Up Cybersecurity of Electric Sector
Lawmakers are calling for significant research and development efforts.
Artificial Intelligence
Congressional Report Spotlights AI, Emerging Technologies as Future of National Security
The House Armed Services Committee’s Future of Defense Task Force released its final report advocating for a revolution in how the U.S. approaches national security.
Digital Government
Federal Government to Conclude Fiscal 2020 With Record Spending
Even without data from the month of September, the Treasury Department reports total federal spending exceeded $6 trillion for the first time.
Cybersecurity
Foreign Hackers Cripple Texas County’s Email System, Raising Election Security Concerns
The malware attack, which sent fake email replies to voters and businesses, spotlights an overlooked vulnerability in counties that don’t follow best practices for computer security.
Cybersecurity
Industry Groups Ask Lawmakers to Remove Core Cybersecurity Provisions from NDAA
The trade associations for various government contractors are also opposing a range of oversight proposals in the annual defense bill, including ones aimed at enhancing procurement value and reducing unfair labor practices.
Digital Government
COVID-19 Exposes Need to Modernize U.S. Public Health Data System, Experts Say
Federal agencies should develop clear standards for data sharing on cross-cutting issues in order to understand the pandemic better.
Digital Government
OPM Updates Job Qualifications Following Hiring Executive Order
The Office of Personnel Management is asking agencies for feedback on a draft list of the qualifications required for federal jobs as part of the implementation of a recent executive order emphasizing applicants’ skills and experience, rather simply education.
Digital Government
Lawmakers: Did DHS Surveil Portland Protesters’ Phones?
Lawmakers want to know if federal agencies intercepted messages or collected cellphone data—including through commercial sources—during Portland protests.
Emerging Tech