Cybersecurity

Cutting Chinese Suppliers from Government Supply Chains Will Cost Billions Every Year

Prospective contractors are invited to comment on how much it might cost them.

Digital Government

Key Lawmaker Alarmed at Increase in COVID-19 Among DHS Employees

The Secret Service alone has seen a 1,000% increase in positive COVID-19 cases, according to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Digital Government

Surge in Coronavirus Cases Raises New Questions About Agencies' Office Reopenings

Return of employees at the Defense Department has corresponded with a 35% spike in cases there.

Cybersecurity

The Defense Bill Could Rewrite How the US Does Cyber Defense

A proposed new office would help private entities and the government respond together to major hacks.

Cybersecurity

Senate Defense Authorization Amendment Looks to Advance More Secure Software Procurement

Defense officials would outline requirements and procedures with implications for all the federal government.

Artificial Intelligence

GSA’s Centers of Excellence Program Would be Codified in Senate Bill

The bill follows a bipartisan counterpart in the House.

Artificial Intelligence

Congress Inches Closer to Creating a National Cloud for AI Research

Legislation launched in early June received new attention and support this week.

Emerging Tech

House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance

The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.

Digital Government

New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Over Agency Relocations

Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.

Policy

Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People

The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.

Emerging Tech

Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act

The Deepfake Report Act would require the Homeland Security Department to study the threats posed by manipulated and synthetic media—including text. 

Emerging Tech

Industry Calls on Government to Invest Billions for Developing Secure 5G Networks 

Comments to the NTIA also say the administration shouldn’t choose winners and losers to compete with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Federal Use of Facial Recognition Tech

If passed, federal agencies would not be able to run, fund, purchase or otherwise use data from facial biometric systems without congressional authorization.

Digital Government

Intelligence Authorization Would Add to Due Process Rules for Security Clearance Reviews

Also new in the bill is a provision allowing the government to share negative information about contractors with their companies.

Emerging Tech

Bill Calls for Federally Funded Research on Police Use of Force and Facial Recognition

The legislation would authorize millions to underpin the efforts it mandates.

Artificial Intelligence

Defense Authorization Act Clears Key Subcommittee in the House  

The legislation includes some recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, but not the main one. 

Emerging Tech

5G-Focused Legislation Aims to Improve Security in Military Telecom Infrastructure

The DoD 5G Act would direct the launch of a Defense Secretary-led telecommunications security program.

Cybersecurity

CIA Report Prompts Call for DHS Cyber Authority Over Intelligence Agencies

Senator asks the director of national intelligence why his office hasn’t implemented a basic anti-phishing tool like the rest of the government.

Artificial Intelligence

Bipartisan Senate Bill Would Increase Pentagon’s Artificial Intelligence Capacity

The bill would enable the Defense Department to ramp up hiring AI and cyber professionals.

Emerging Tech

FCC Directs First 5G-Focused Universal Service Funding to Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Both territories’ communications infrastructures were ravaged by hurricanes in recent years.