Cybersecurity

Senators want NIST to create cyber guidelines for agencies’ use of civilian drones

The new bipartisan bill would also require that every agency using civilian drones “implement policies and principles based on the NIST guidelines.”

Artificial Intelligence

AI regulation will come from existing frameworks — not a new agency — lawmakers say

A single, overarching AI regulation package or a new AI regulatory agency is unlikely to emerge from Congress, members said.

Artificial Intelligence

House lawmakers say existing regulatory powers can police generative AI abuse

Reps. Marcus Molinaro and Don Beyer discussed how legislative action – on a state and federal level – is needed to continue to police new generative artificial intelligence usage.

Emerging Tech

Autonomous tech featured in Senate border and foreign aid bill 

The Senate’s proposed $118 billion immigration and foreign aid package includes more than $260 million to deploy emerging technologies to secure the border.

Policy

Proposal to broaden CBO’s access to government data gets legs in the House

The bill introduced in the House this week would exempt the Congressional Budget Office from data sharing restrictions in the Privacy Act.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers seek to probe AI’s environmental impacts

A new bill would bring together the EPA and NIST to help Congress understand how AI is negatively or positively impacting the environment.

Cybersecurity

Biden to veto any efforts to shutter SEC cyber disclosure rules

The SEC argues the disclosure rule forces firms to be more transparent with investors. Opponents say it may compromise sensitive business data and publicize vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity

Cyber, intelligence chiefs urge U.S. to strengthen against Chinese cyber threats

In a collective call to action, officials warned of invasive actions that China-backed hackers can take against U.S. infrastructure and elections.

Cybersecurity

Top cyber, intelligence chiefs to call out China as leading cyber threat

Researchers and officials have previously designated China as a clandestine, preparatory operator in cyberspace, quietly breaching and securing systems to use to their advantage at a later time.

Acquisition

Agencies are losing out on software savings, GAO finds

Agencies don’t have the right data and aren’t always checking to make sure they’re not over- or under-purchasing software licenses, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Artificial Intelligence

VA should establish an AI disclosure process, Republican lawmaker says

Though the Department of Veterans Affairs has already made “admirable” use of artificial intelligence, transparency “has got to be elevated to a top priority,” according to Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

‘Relatively few’ agency policies met standards for IoT security, OMB reports

Early last year, the White House office ran a sweeping assessment on agency IoT device security policies. Most fell short on aligning with NIST guidance, according to a letter sent to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

People

Retiring lawmaker Ruppersberger was one of first to sound alarm on Huawei, ZTE in US networks

The Maryland congressman, who announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his term, set a precedent for modern-day cybersecurity policy.

Cybersecurity

Proposed law aims to boost food and agriculture industry’s cyber posture

The bill would direct multiple stakeholders to conduct exercises that simulate when the food and agriculture sectors are hacked.

Artificial Intelligence

Law enforcement needs standards for using AI algorithms, GAO official says

The director of Science, Technology Assessment and Analytics at the Government Accountability Office told lawmakers there should be transparency in how such algorithms work and when they are used.

Emerging Tech

Senate duo advocates for a new federal office to study the global tech landscape

Sens. Michael Bennet and Todd Young said the proposed executive branch office is needed to analyze technology advancement in a geopolitical context.

Artificial Intelligence

Congress should create an agency to oversee digital platforms, senators write

A bipartisan group of lawmakers are pushing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to create the oversight body as part of an effort to craft an AI policy framework.

Modernization

Cruz, Peters introduce bill prodding agencies to share custom code

The lawmakers say that existing policies on sharing such code aren’t being implemented by agencies.