Digital Government

Census is Asking the Public to Help Fight Misinformation Ahead of 2020 

The bureau launched a website for dispelling common Census rumors and created a special email address where people can report misinformation and other malicious activities.

Artificial Intelligence

GAO Launches New Unit to Prepare Congress for the Future

The Center for Strategic Foresight held its first conference, focused on two problems closer to the present than the future: deep space and deepfakes.

Podcasts

Critical Update: How Hackers Get Stuck In HADES

For the fourth season of Critical Update, the Nextgov team is diving into the latest developments in cybersecurity, beginning with the world’s biggest honeypot.

Ideas

I Create Manipulated Images and Videos–But Quality May Not Matter Much

A key element of the battle between truth and propaganda has nothing to do with technology.

Cybersecurity

U.S. Finalizes Rule Banning Kaspersky Products From Government Contracts

The final rule will go into effect Tuesday, replacing an interim rule in place for over a year.

Cybersecurity

Twitter Bots Are Becoming More Human-Like: Study

In 2016, they were mostly retweeters on timers. Now they’re gathering intelligence.

Cybersecurity

Army Cyber Command Ready for Aggressive Ops Around 2020 Election, Chief Says

Russia and other actors who try to meddle in the election will be met with a much broader, aggressive and more unified cyber campaign than in years past, according to Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty.

Cybersecurity

NSA Cyber Chief Wants to Share Digital Threats Early and Often

The agency has historically been slow to share threat intelligence but accelerating that process would help the government get ahead of cyber adversaries, according to Anne Neuberger.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmaker: Congress Needs to Focus on China or Risk Being Lapped

A Hawaii lawmaker said Congress needs more focus—and expertise—on the many threats China poses to the U.S.

Digital Government

China’s Spies Are on the Offensive

China’s spies are waging an intensifying espionage offensive against the United States. Does America have what it takes to stop them?

Cybersecurity

DHS Asks for Feedback on Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Officials plan to create a public form where security researchers can submit weaknesses they uncover in the agency’s IT infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

Playing Defense Against Chinese Tech Threats ‘Will Only Get Us So Far,’ Lawmaker Says 

Rep. Mike Gallagher said the government needs to take a more active role in curbing the global rise of Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.

Modernization

App Failure Led to Long Airport Lines In Third CBP System Crash In Three Years

Technicians were able to reboot the system in a matter of hours but the crash led to significant delays for travelers Friday.

Cybersecurity

New Tool Reveals Big Vulnerabilities In Mobile Apps That Use Multiple Clouds

The remote servers that power thousands of popular apps harbor a rats’ nest of vulnerabilities.

Policy

Federal Ban on Chinese Telecom Equipment Takes Effect

Contracting officers will have new disclosure provisions to include in contracts issued after Aug. 13.

Cybersecurity

Here’s What Foreign Interference Will Look Like in 2020

The incentives for foreign countries to meddle are much greater than in 2016, and the tactics could look dramatically different.

Cybersecurity

Postal Service Watchdog Finds New Vulnerability During Security Audit

The inspector general warned exposure could “have a serious negative impact to the Postal Service brand.”

Cybersecurity

DISA, Cyber Command Are Launching a Zero-Trust Pilot Program

The effort will explore frameworks and technologies that would protect the Pentagon’s networks from unauthorized access.