Digital Government

Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities

It’s the first time the federal government has ever issued rules clarifying how the more than 30-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act applies online. But the new rules come with a hefty price tag for state and local governments.

Cybersecurity

US accuses Chinese hackers of 14-year campaign targeting government officials

The coordinated charges include sanctions on Chinese government-affiliated hackers and an up to $10 million reward for information about the defendants.

People

DOJ names its first chief AI officer

The new role is intended to focus on building a tech-ready workforce and interagency cooperation.

Cybersecurity

US, international partners disrupt LockBit ransomware operations

Officials have also developed a tool for victims targeted by LockBit to potentially decrypt their compromised data.

Cybersecurity

FBI disrupts botnet controlled by Russian security services

The news comes just weeks after the U.S. announced it went on the offensive against a China-linked botnet operation.

Cybersecurity

US disrupts China-linked cyber campaign impacting critical infrastructure, Justice officials say

The hackers infected privately owned small office/home office routers to conceal the origins of their intrusions into critical infrastructure systems.

Artificial Intelligence

Stop funding predictive policing tech without ‘evidence standards,’ lawmakers tell DOJ

Seven Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to cease grant funding for predictive policing systems until DOJ ensures they are not having “a discriminatory impact.”

Ideas

The government’s FOIA policy changes are adding to work levels and requests — but e-Discovery can help

Federal agencies received a record-high number of requests in fiscal year 2022, and FOIA backlogs are growing.

Cybersecurity

CISA conducts largest annual election security drills amid threats targeting voting systems

The nation’s cyber defense agency hosted a three-day election security exercise with state, local and federal officials ahead of the 2024 race.

Cybersecurity

Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan

The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.

Cybersecurity

Federal Operation Takes Down Sophisticated Russian Malware

Snake malware has plagued international digital networks for nearly two decades; a joint federal effort finally dismantled the web of espionage spyware.

Artificial Intelligence

4 Agencies Pledge Enforcement Against AI Bias

A letter helmed by the Federal Trade Commission promises vigilance against automated systems used to make critical socioeconomic decisions.

Cybersecurity

Federal Law Enforcement’s New Focus is on ‘Disruption’ of Cybercrime

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted that success will be seen with a “bias towards action,” rather than just courtroom victories.

Cybersecurity

US Officials Charge Chinese Agents with Running ‘Secret Police Station’ in NYC

Prosecutors unveiled charges Monday against a “troll farm” and Chinese nationals who worked with a Zoom employee to crash meetings with U.S.-based dissidents.

Cybersecurity

Genesis Black Market Dismantled, But Experts Warn of Potential Vacuum

A major coordinated effort took down the black market for stolen data, but experts warn the fight to secure data is ongoing.

Digital Government

DOJ Seizes $112 Million in Fraudulent Crypto Investments

Another week, another multi-million dollar crypto bust from the Department of Justice.

Digital Government

5 Foreign Nationals Tried to Ship U.S. Military Tech to Iran, Per Justice Indictments

The Departments of Justice and Treasury have taken coordinated actions against several foreign nationals for conspiracy to export sensitive military technology.

Cybersecurity

US Marshals Service Hacked in ‘Major Incident’

This is the second time the agency has been hacked in recent years, adding to a growing number of agencies that have experienced cybersecurity incidents.

Digital Government

After a Decade of Noncompliance, DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility

The release of the Justice Department’s first Section 508 report since 2012 comes after lawmakers raised bipartisan concerns about agencies’ continued inability to meet federal technology accessibility standards.