Emerging Tech
Facial Recognition Tech Use Increasing Among Federal Agencies
Use cases included criminal investigations, building security and access to digital assets like smartphones and security agency websites.
Emerging Tech
Drug Enforcement Feds Want Augmented Reality to Monitor U.S./Mexico Border
The agency is already putting some capabilities to use.
Emerging Tech
What One City Hopes to Learn by Pausing Use of Facial Recognition Technology
A ban in Baltimore would restrict the city from purchasing facial recognition technology and temporarily restrict use by city agencies, residents and businesses (but not the police).
Artificial Intelligence
DHS Tech Directorate Sets Goals to Guide Risk-Aware Artificial Intelligence Use
It’s meant to complement the department’s broader enterprise strategy and could prove helpful to other agencies.
Emerging Tech
DHS Considers Virtual Reality to Teach Officers About Responding to Hazardous Scenarios
The agency is looking for technology solutions to help train Federal Protective Service staff when to use force—and when not to.
Digital Government
DOJ to Help Rural and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies Buy Body-Worn Cameras
The competitive grants program will also help agencies with fewer than 50 personnel.
Emerging Tech
Watchdog: 10 Government Agencies Deployed Clearview AI Facial Recognition Tech
A Government Accountability Office report details how agencies used different versions of the biometric technology during the pandemic and protests.
Cybersecurity
New bill looks to ramp up penalties for ransomware crooks
Three senators are aiming to pass new legislation that expands DOJ's power to go after botnets and stiffen penalties for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by adding it to the upcoming infrastructure bill.
Cybersecurity
Colonial CEO defends $4.3M ransomware payment
Joseph Blount, the chief executive officer of Colonial Pipeline, on Tuesday defended the company's ransom payment to the criminal group Darkside and said Colonial is continuing to work with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants to restore their business systems.
Modernization
DOJ seizes $2.26 million in ransom paid out by Colonial Pipeline
The FBI on Monday said it has identified at least 90 victims across multiple industrial sectors that Darkside has victimized.
Cybersecurity
Supreme Court narrows scope of hacking law, but questions remain
The Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday decided a police officer did not violate a 1980s anti-hacking law, but the court ultimately left open questions about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act's applicability for other purposes such as cybersecurity research.
Ideas
Body Cameras Help Monitor Police but Can Invade People's Privacy
Records laws allow many videos to end up on YouTube but few address how to deal with the personal information of those filmed.
Ideas
Here’s How Much Your Personal Information Is Worth to Cybercriminals – and What They Do with It
Though data breaches can be a national security threat, 86% are about money, and 55% are committed by organized criminal groups, according to Verizon’s annual data breach report.
Policy
Online, Mug Shots Are Forever. Some States Want to Change That.
People are innocent until proven guilty, but the public release of mug shots taken at the time of arrest can become a barrier to housing, employment and personal relationships.
Digital Government
Secret Service Director Calls for More Staffing, Retention and Cybersecurity Funding
The director thanked employees for their hard work and resilience over the past year.
Cybersecurity
Mayorkas: DHS running ransomware task force, White House plan coming
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday said his agency plans to take up the recommendations from a new report focused on combating ransomware and that the White House is developing its own plan to confront the growing cybersecurity threat.
Digital Government
Bill Would Force Intelligence, Law Enforcement to Obtain Warrants Before Buying Americans’ Data
As with other tech companies, agencies would have to obtain court orders to compel data brokers to turn over information.
Artificial Intelligence
Democrats Question Justice Department on Use of Predictive Policing Algorithms
They also called for more comprehensive checks on the use of such technologies.
Cybersecurity
FBI Opens a Case on Chinese Activity ‘Every 10 Hours,’ Intel Chiefs Say
China leads a pack of threats to the United States, they tell lawmakers.
Cybersecurity