Emerging Tech
Bipartisan Bill Would Require Passenger Temperature Checks at TSA Checkpoints
Lawmakers aim to spur a fever-finding pilot program to measure the impacts.
Modernization
Lawmakers Push to Make Telehealth Options Permanent
Early data shows patients quickly embraced telemedicine options agencies expanded during the coronavirus pandemic.
Digital Government
Bill Would Push State Department to Clear Passport Backlog
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the backlog of Americans waiting for passports has ballooned to at least 1.4 million people.
Emerging Tech
NASA Wants Feedback on Liability Issues with Sending Private Astronauts to Space
The space agency is seeking additional feedback on the insurance and accountability issues that accompany bringing commercial astronauts to the International Space Station.
Cybersecurity
CISA Gives Agencies 24 Hours to Mitigate Windows DNS Server Vulnerability
The agency issued an emergency directive for just the third time ever.
Artificial Intelligence
Attorney General: China May Supplant U.S. If It Wins AI Race
William Barr blasted Google, Microsoft and other American big tech companies for being short-sighted while meeting the Chinese government’s demands for operating within the country.
Digital Government
Security Clearance Reformers Tout Progress Amid COVID-19
The pandemic pushed adjudicators to conduct more virtual interviews, though that progress might be undone when the crisis passes.
Ideas
The Electoral College Is Surprisingly Vulnerable to Popular Vote Changes
This system is built to virtually ensure narrow victories, making it very susceptible to efforts to change either voters’ minds or the records of their choices.
Modernization
Ditching Legacy Systems Will Require Adjusting Some Regulations, Experts Say
Federal investment in upgraded technology will help governments better take care of the American people, experts say, but that means rules must be updated to foster innovation
Cybersecurity
Bipartisan Concerns Arise Over Cyber Director Legislation
Proponents say the new position would help balance and deconflict offensive and defensive operations.
Digital Government
House Appropriators Add Support for FedRAMP, 5G and Chinese Telecom Bans to Spending Bill
The committee also suggested adding another $25 million to the Technology Modernization Fund.
Ideas
The Fed's Independence Helped It Save the US Economy in 2008 – the CDC Needs the Same Authority Today
There is a paradox inherent in the relationship between political leaders and technical experts in government.
Ideas
Why Government Needs to Move Quickly to Zero Trust
Most experts agree that the best path forward would be zero-trust networking, although the concept is defined differently depending on who you happen to ask.
Cybersecurity
House Appropriations Advances Defense Spending Bill
Areas of concern for cybersecurity include building the workforce and 5G development.
Cybersecurity
House Oversight Lawmaker Wants Apple, Google to Step Up Security on Apps With Foreign Ties
Rep. Stephen Lynch seeks commitments from the tech giants to be more transparent about applications on their stores.
Cybersecurity
Congressman Plans to Propose Cyber Director Amendment to NDAA
Testimony at a hearing of the House Oversight Committee will look to drive home the case for the proposal.
Digital Government
House Lawmakers Call for Pay Parity Between Military and Civilian Federal Workers
Although the House version of a defense policy bill includes a 3% pay increase for members of the military in 2021, an appropriations bill under consideration effectively endorses only a 1% raise for civilians.
Modernization
Coronavirus ‘Shattered the Myth’ that the Defense Workforce Can’t Telework, Official Says
Two Defense Department officials discussed lessons learned from the pandemic with an eye toward a post-coronavirus environment.
Ideas
Airlines Got Travelers Comfortable about Flying Again Once Before – but 9/11 and a Virus Are a Lot Different
Today, fares are at rock bottom, but Americans’ fear of flying may be the highest it’s ever been.
Cybersecurity