Cybersecurity
Unmonitored networks put US nuclear arsenal at risk, GAO finds
A Government Accountability Office report found that the Energy Department cannot effectively monitor potential insider threats to U.S. nuclear security because department staff “have not identified the total number of DOE’s stand-alone classified networks.”
Cybersecurity
DOD Submits Classified Cyber Strategy to Congress
An unclassified fact sheet released by the Pentagon said the new strategy will continue efforts to conduct “hunt forward operations”’ with U.S. allies and “defend forward” activities meant to disrupt threat actors on their own turf.
Digital Government
House Passes Bill to Permanently Authorize VA’s Tech Training Program
VA’s VET-TEC pilot ran out of funding last month, but lawmakers in the House and Senate are moving to permanently authorize the technology education program.
Digital Government
10 Vendors Receive Over Half of VA's IT Contracts, Drawing Lawmaker Concern
A Government Accountability Office representative told House lawmakers that Veterans Affairs’ IT obligations have been “increasingly concentrated with a small group of vendors.”
Policy
DHS Unveils Departmentwide Body Camera Policy
The new guidance restricts law enforcement agencies under DHS’s authority from using body-worn cameras “for the sole purpose of recording individuals who are engaged in activity protected by the First Amendment.”
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Want DHS to Assess National Security Risks of Doxing
Proposed legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to “evaluate risks posed to national security and civilian privacy” by the online release of individuals’ personal information.
Modernization
VA Lacks Goals to Assess Satisfaction With New EHR, Watchdog Finds
The report from the Government Accountability Office found that the absence of such goals has limited the agency’s ability to “objectively measure progress toward improving EHRM users’ satisfaction.”
Artificial Intelligence
Senators Introduce Bill to Create Digital and AI Oversight Agency
The legislative proposal would establish a so-called Federal Digital Platform Commission to regulate online services, including those that offer content “primarily generated by algorithmic processes.”
Cybersecurity
‘Continuing Significant Deficiencies’ Hamper VA’s Information Security Controls, Audit Finds
An audit released by the VA Office of Inspector General found that the department “needs to implement improved controls” to address persistent gaps in its information security program.
Cybersecurity
House Panel Advances Bills to Boost CISA’s Oversight of Open Source Software, Cyber Training
The two measures, which passed the committee with bipartisan support, would give CISA authority across DHS and the federal government.
Cybersecurity
DOD's Zero Trust Initiative is an Unique 'Unity of Effort,' Air Force CIO Says
The Air Force—along with the Pentagon—is also crafting guidance around the safe use of generative artificial intelligence tools and technologies, such as ChatGPT.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Bolster Satellite Cybersecurity
The bipartisan proposal directs CISA to provide commercial satellite owners and operators with more resources and recommendations to improve their cyber protections.
Artificial Intelligence
House Bill Mandates Disclosure of AI-Generated Content in Political Ads
The legislation follows the Republican National Committee’s release of an entirely AI-generated video last week.
Artificial Intelligence
Biden Administration Examining How Companies Use AI to Surveil Employees
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is seeking public feedback on companies’ use of artificial intelligence and automated systems to monitor employees.
Digital Government
Permanent Funding for VA’s Tech Training Program Heads to House Floor
VA’s VET-TEC pilot ran out of funding last week, but lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee have approved bipartisan legislation that would permanently reauthorize the program.
Cybersecurity
How Tax Credits Could Present Near-Term Motivation for More Secure Devices
As federal officials call for tech firms to take more responsibility for the security of their products, some members of Congress and industry voices have highlighted the potential of cyber investment tax credits as an incentive.
Artificial Intelligence
DOD’s Frontline AI Adoption Still Limited by Network and Data Collection
A U.S. Central Command official said that underlying “friction points” present challenges to the military’s widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
Modernization
House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reform VA’s EHR Program
The bipartisan proposal would require VA to prioritize system improvements at the five medical facilities currently using the new software before deploying it at any additional sites.
Emerging Tech
Digital Authoritarianism Poses ‘Critical Threat’ to National Security, Intel Chief Says
The top U.S. intelligence official said democratic nations need to develop frameworks that “preserve, to the greatest extent, the promise” of emerging tech that could be used by repressive regimes to censor or surveil citizens.
Emerging Tech