Modernization
House Republicans Seek to Mandate VA's EHR Program Improve or Face Termination
Leading GOP lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee introduced legislation to expand oversight over the VA’s new electronic health record system and, if need be, to terminate the program.
Digital Government
DOD Needs to Expand Guidance on ‘Information Environment’ Training, Watchdog Says
The Pentagon’s education and training initiatives to help DOD leaders respond to threats in the contested information environment need to offer clear guidance on what topics to cover, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office.
Digital Government
VA is Working to Add New Features to its Health and Benefits App
The VA’s mobile phone app, which surpassed one million downloads last year, is rolling out new prescription refill and travel reimbursement services for veterans in the coming months.
Policy
GAO Identifies Fraud Risks in FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
The FCC “may not be able to effectively prevent and detect fraud” in its program that offers low-income households discounts on internet services and connected devices, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office.
Policy
Senator Advocates a Transparency-Based Approach to Social Media Moderation
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said such transparency about government moderation requests “does seem to be the best move” for promoting free speech online.
Cybersecurity
CISA Releases Guide to Help Safeguard K-12 Schools from Cyber Threats
CISA’s report, which was mandated by the K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021, outlined a variety of steps that primary and secondary schools can take to bolster their cyber defenses.
Emerging Tech
DOD Plan Would Make Space Command Global Operator of Satellite Networks
The Pentagon is seeking to modernize its satellite communications capabilities by, in part, outlining some of the responsibilities of its agencies and commands.
Cybersecurity
Majority of GAO's Cyber Recommendations Since 2010 Have Gone Unresolved
A new watchdog report found that the White House needs to do more to improve cybersecurity practices across federal agencies, including issuing a more holistic national cybersecurity strategy.
Cybersecurity
Monitoring and Funding Concerns Could Undermine DOD’s Secure Unclassified Network, IG Says
A report from DOD’s Office of Inspector General said that a lack of secure funding for the system places mission-critical activities “at risk of termination due to non-compliance with cybersecurity requirements.”
Emerging Tech
NTIA Announces Request for Comment on Intersection of Data and Civil Rights
The head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said the agency’s inquiry “will help us analyze the outsized consequences that data practices can have on marginalized communities.”
Digital Government
Election Assistance Commission Appoints New Director With Security-Focused Background
Steven Frid, who currently serves as the security director at the Education Department’s Federal Student Aid office, will begin his role at the Election Assistance Commission on Jan. 30.
Modernization
Air Force Can Do More to Advance Its JADC2 Contribution, Watchdog Says
The Government Accountability Office said that “more needs to be done” to develop plans for the Air Force’s component of the militarywide tactical network.
People
Lawmakers propose a federal reserve corps for digital talent
The bipartisan legislation seeks to address the government’s tech and cyber needs by enabling industry professionals to bring their skills and experience to the federal level.
Modernization
Asylum-Seekers Can Now Schedule Entry Appointments in Advance via CBP Mobile App
Customs and Border Protection’s mobile application, launched in October 2020 to streamline access to customs services, now includes a function for migrants to schedule appointments at select U.S. ports of entry.
Policy
White House Sets Definition for Open Science to ‘Galvanize’ Federal Efforts
The Biden administration announced a number of initiatives to improve open science policies in 2023, including advancing efforts to make taxpayer-funded research publicly accessible.
Policy
Lawmakers Propose a Federal Reserve Corps for Digital Talent
The bipartisan legislation seeks to address the government’s tech and cyber needs by enabling industry professionals to bring their skills and experience to the federal level.
Digital Government
NIH’s Governmentwide IT Acquisition Center Appoints Permanent Director
Brian Goodger, who has served as acting director of the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center since 2021, will now helm the center in a permanent capacity.
Policy
VA’s Initiative to Recruit Laid Off Tech Workers is Paying Off, Official Says
The VA’s ongoing efforts to recruit high-skilled professionals displaced by layoffs across the tech sector are helping to fill a host of tech-related vacancies in the department.
Modernization
Governments View Open Source as Critical for Enhancing Digital Services, Experts Say
The U.S. government is “still in the process of organizing and coordinating” its own strategy around the use of open source software, according to a CISA official.
Cybersecurity