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

Cutting Chinese Suppliers from Government Supply Chains Will Cost Billions Every Year

Prospective contractors are invited to comment on how much it might cost them.

Digital Government

Key Lawmaker Alarmed at Increase in COVID-19 Among DHS Employees

The Secret Service alone has seen a 1,000% increase in positive COVID-19 cases, according to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Digital Government

Surge in Coronavirus Cases Raises New Questions About Agencies' Office Reopenings

Return of employees at the Defense Department has corresponded with a 35% spike in cases there.

Cybersecurity

The Defense Bill Could Rewrite How the US Does Cyber Defense

A proposed new office would help private entities and the government respond together to major hacks.

Policy

Governments Need Clear Plans to Respond to Disinformation, Experts Say

One of the tricky parts of responding is addressing the conspiracy theories that domestic social media users create but then get amplified by foreign actors, experts said. 

Modernization

COVID-19 Could Change Government Contact Centers Forever

The pandemic has forced major changes in the way federal agencies serve customers.

Cybersecurity

China is Dumping Fiber Optic Cables in the Global Market, Commerce Official Says

The cables are key to the development of fifth-generation networks, and therefore a matter of national security for the Trump administration.

Emerging Tech

NIST Aims to Tap Twitter API Data to Boost Public Emergency Response

Tweets hold valuable insights amid natural disasters, which the agency aims to leverage.

Digital Government

NOAA Aligns Cloud and Data Strategies With Administration Priorities

The new strategies meld with three existing science and technology-focused documents, as well as incorporating priorities from the White House’s cloud and data policies.

Ideas

Facial Recognition Is Here But We Have No Laws

Without legal safeguards, this technology will undermine democratic values and fundamental rights.

Cybersecurity

Administration Asks Energy Companies to Report on Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Industry leader has yet to take action promised in congressional testimony last year.

Digital Government

Coronavirus Fraudsters Keep Prosecutors Busy

State AGs track millions in false loan and unemployment claims.

Digital Government

Agencies Can Fire Employees Who Improperly Burrow In, Court Rules

Decision upholds OPM's push to oust Obama political appointee holdover.

Ideas

Dashboard Displays COVID-19 Disparities by County

Although COVID-19 has swept across the entire country, its burden has not been spread equally.

Cybersecurity

Senate Defense Authorization Amendment Looks to Advance More Secure Software Procurement

Defense officials would outline requirements and procedures with implications for all the federal government.

Artificial Intelligence

GSA’s Centers of Excellence Program Would be Codified in Senate Bill

The bill follows a bipartisan counterpart in the House.

Cybersecurity

CISA Stands to Gain Powers Under Both Versions of the Defense Authorization Bill

An amendment on the Senate-side bill would grant the agency subpoena power over internet service providers.

Artificial Intelligence

Congress Inches Closer to Creating a National Cloud for AI Research

Legislation launched in early June received new attention and support this week.

Digital Government

House Committee Investigates Whether Officials Misled Congress on OPM-GSA Merger

A recent watchdog group report cited notes from a phone call indicating the Trump administration was advised that the merger plan was illegal, an account that is at odds with what OPM officials testified before Congress last year.