Digital Government
Biden Formalizes Plan for Average 2.7% Raise for Civilian Feds in 2022
The White House published an alternative pay plan for the federal workforce providing a 2.2% across the board raise along with an average increase of 0.5% to locality pay.
Cybersecurity
White House Tasks NIST with Producing Another Cybersecurity Framework
The administration touted private-sector commitments to improve cybersecurity through training and design.
Cybersecurity
DHS Launching First Federal Civilian Position Exempt from Longevity Requirements
The Cyber Talent Management System has been in the works since a 2014 law granted the department authorities to sidestep rigid classification formats such as the General Schedule.
Cybersecurity
White House Announcements to Focus on Advancing Cybersecurity Talent
Commitments are also expected from the public and private sectors for improving the security of foundational technology.
Digital Government
What Still Needs to Happen for Feds to Get a Pay Raise Next Year
President Biden has until the end of this month to formally announce his plan to give federal workers an average 2.7% pay raise in 2022.
Digital Government
GSA’s First Centers of Excellence Customer Touts $50M in Cost Avoidance
After three years, the Agriculture Department launched a cloud office, consolidated contact centers and stood up more than a hundred dashboards.
Artificial Intelligence
AI Research Infrastructure Task Force Needs Input on ‘Democratizing’ Resources
The group is developing an implementation plan for how the U.S. could increase access to artificial intelligence research resources.
Podcasts
Critical Update: How Federal Agencies Can Help Avert Quantum Catastrophe
The White House is working on plans to roll out new cryptographic systems that will require epic levels of funding from Congress and coordination, both within the government and in partnership with industry.
Digital Government
Agencies Struggle to Implement Mass Testing for Unvaccinated Feds
The Biden administration is requiring at least weekly COVID-19 testing for the unvaccinated, but the White House has offered few details about how that will happen.
Cybersecurity
The White House Is Deciding Whether to Support a Bureau of Cyber Statistics
A key senator introduced a bill containing one of the more controversial recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Digital Government
Biden Announces Vaccine-or-Masks Mandate for Feds, Some Contractors
Federal employees will have a choice: get vaccinated, or wear masks when indoors at federal facilities and subject themselves to regular COVID-19 testing.
Cybersecurity
White House Asks CISA, NIST to Set Performance Goals for Critical Infrastructure Operators
The initiative will not result in mandatory measures for the private sector, but the administration hopes to signal its commitment to cybersecurity and maybe get a little help from Congress on that front.
Cybersecurity
TSA’s New Cybersecurity Rules for Pipelines to Be Kept on Need-to-Know Basis
The details of a second set of security regulations will not be released publicly.
Digital Government
National Archives Seeks to Revamp How Presidential Library Archives Social Media
NARA is looking for outside ideas around the improvement of its Presidential Library website.
Cybersecurity
Biden Administration, Allies Attribute Microsoft Exchange Hack to China
The White House said it’s accusing China with “high confidence.”
Digital Government
GAO Issues Recommendations to White House Science and Tech Wing
This is the first time the Government Accountability Office has provided a priority recommendation letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Digital Government
National Park Service to Share Special Use Permit Data with White House
The updated system of records notice would also allow the agency to share data with other departments in the event of a cybersecurity breach.
Policy
Biden Backs DIY Fixes in ‘Right to Repair’ Dispute
The pandemic underscored the need for independent and individual repairs of laptops, tablets and phones, and other equipment.
Cybersecurity
Official Suggests Consequences Coming to Russia for Ransomware
A senior administration official said the U.S. has made specific requests through official channels regarding cyber criminals.
Policy