Modernization
After 30 Years, the Last State Finally Automated Its Child Support System
South Carolina struggled for decades to switch from manual process run by counties to a largely automated system run by the state.
Cybersecurity
Ohio Establishes ‘Cyber Reserve’ to Combat Ransomware
The civilian unit of the National Guard will be on call to assist local governments that come under cyberattack.
Cybersecurity
House Committee Advances Bill to Expand DHS Cyber Monitoring Program
As state and local governments face rising cyber threats, the legislation would give them free access to the tools provided under the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.
Digital Government
Texas Considering Whether to Hand Driver’s License, Citizenship Information to Census Bureau
The Texas Department of Public Safety received a request for the information earlier this month but has taken no action.
Artificial Intelligence
Use of Artificial Intelligence Poised to Grow in State Government, Survey Finds
Experimentation is key to the Utah chief information officer’s expanded use of artificial intelligence.
Policy
Tech Giants Fight Digital Right-to-Repair Bills
Twenty states considered bills to allow independent repair shops and tinkerers to fix broken smartphones, laptops and other equipment.
Cybersecurity
Budgetary, Technical Hurdles Continue Hampering 2020 Election Security Prep
A Congressional field hearing in Illinois highlighted how far states and local jurisdictions have come since 2016, and how far they have to go.
Digital Government
Election security lessons from Illinois
Officials express confidence that 2020 won't be a repeat of 2016, but testimony from state and local officials indicate that substantial security holes still exist.
Cybersecurity
Texas Chief Information Officer Shares Lessons Learned from Ransomware Attack
The 23 municipalities hit in a July ransomware attack put themselves at risk by failing “to follow good cyber hygiene,” the state’s CIO said.
Cybersecurity
Protection from Ransomware Attacks Isn’t as Simple as Insurance
In the wake of high-profile ransomware attacks, local governments are looking to cyber insurance to mitigate risk. But not all policies are equal and merit close scrutiny, experts say.
Emerging Tech
Local Law Enforcement Should Be Able to Protect Airports From Drones, Report Says
To address security risks, a task force recommends that Congress authorize local law enforcement to take down drones flown too close to airports.
Policy
States Can Craft Own Net Neutrality Rules, Appeals Court Rules
A federal appeals court upheld much of the FCC’s rollback of net neutrality rules but found that the commission overstepped its authority when it blocked states from enacting their own internet regulations.
Ideas
The Problem With the State-Level Investigation of Google
The probe may do more for the attorneys general than for the public they’re supposed to protect.
Cybersecurity
For latest election security moves, the devil is in the details
While new federal dollars for election security are welcome, experts caution that more money might be required and more direction is needed on how to spend the money in the form of new legislation to put smart policy behind congressional outlays.
Artificial Intelligence
States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos
State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?
Cybersecurity
McConnell Voices Support for $250 Million in Election Security Funds
The bill marks “a great step forward,” but states will need more consistent investment to make long-term improvements, according to CISA Director Chris Krebs.
Emerging Tech
Six U.S. Cities Make the List of Most Surveilled Places in the World
A new report found that CCTV surveillance is increasing in certain areas of the U.S., with one city government watching its citizens from 35,000 cameras.
Cybersecurity
Senate backs $250M in election security grants
With the threat of Russian interference in the 2020 elections looming, lawmakers added fund for states to shore up election infrastructure and improve voting system cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
Report on Election Security Gains Attention, and a Sharp Rebuke
It showed another kind of election security threat: companies looking to profit from a country on edge about the integrity of its national and local elections.
Digital Government