Digital Government

House Panel Examines Recruitment and Telework for the ‘Next Generation’ of Feds

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said Wednesday that he is introducing legislation to reform the federal government’s internship programs and writing a bill to expand agencies’ metrics regarding telework following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artificial Intelligence

NIST Asks for Input on Emerging Tech Trends and Risks for Congressional Study

Topics of interest include artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, autonomous delivery technologies—and more

Cybersecurity

White House Holiday Warning Identifies Options for Reporting Ransomware

The FBI has a prominent portal for entities to report cybersecurity incidents, but Congress is considering legislation that officials fear could change the current dynamic.

Cybersecurity

Government Watchdog Welcomes Treasury’s Data Collection on Cyber Insurance Claims

A Government Accountability Office report on the Treasury Department’s role in shaping the market for cybersecurity insurance is expected next spring.

Policy

Senators Have More Than 900 Ideas To Fix America’s Security

The proposed amendments to the NDAA include ideas on Afghanistan, China and extremism in the ranks.

Cybersecurity

Info Sharing and Securing Critical Infrastructure Top Key Congressman's Cybersecurity Priorities

“My colleagues see an urgency for new legislation now, in a way that wouldn’t be possible a few years ago," said Rep. James Langevin.

Cybersecurity

FISMA Update Excluded From Senate NDAA Amendment

Language instructing the Defense secretary to include CISA and the national cyber director in designing a pilot project for private-sector collaboration made it in.

Ideas

$1.2T Infrastructure Plan Offers Lucrative Target for Fraud

The problem is that lawmakers don’t always make preventing fraud a priority.

Digital Government

Republican Senators Question the Security of Collecting Health Information from Airline Passengers

A group of Republican senators raised concerns over the CDC’s new order requesting select data from airline passengers to track the spread of COVID-19.

Cybersecurity

Bill to Codify FedRAMP Set for Vote in Senate Committee

If passed, agencies would have to explain their reasons for rejecting previously authorized cloud products or services.

Cybersecurity

Researchers Push FITARA-Like Scorecard for Cybersecurity

A recent MITRE report lays out eight ways the federal government can improve cybersecurity habits across all agencies, hinging on enhanced Congressional funding and oversight. 

Ideas

Whistleblowers Risk Everything—Lawmakers Must Protect Them

Two pivotal pieces of legislation pending before Congress would strengthen weak whistleblower protection laws.

Emerging Tech

Senate Unanimously Passes Secure Equipment Act

The legislation aims to protects telecom networks from foreign threats.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Is One of Five Pillars in State’s Modernization Initiative

In addition to creating two new positions to handle international cyber and emerging tech issues, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is calling for a 50% increase in the department’s IT budget.

Cybersecurity

Senate Committee Chair: ‘Ransomware Has Changed the Equation’

The recent attacks on food and gas supply chains shifted how Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Gary Peters prioritizes cybersecurity.