Digital Government

Senator to Elon Musk: 'Fix Your Companies. Or Congress Will'

After Elon Musk mocked Sen. Ed Markey’s concerns about Twitter verifying fake accounts, the senator told the mogul to get it together or Congress would step in.

Emerging Tech

DOD Working on Prototype of Mobile Microgrid for Arctic Operations

The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit announced that it is partnering with MITRE and 10 Defense Department components to develop a microgrid capable of working at temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cybersecurity

No ‘Specific or Credible’ Cyber Threats Affected Integrity of Midterms, CISA Says

Despite “a handful” of DDoS attacks targeting state and local election websites and some technical glitches affecting voting equipment, CISA says it saw “no activity” that should undermine faith in the results of the midterm elections.

Defense

Pentagon expects to award $9 billion cloud contract in December

The Pentagon’s chief information officer said the multi-cloud, multi-vendor JWCC contract will be awarded “in about a month.”

Digital Government

Pentagon on Track to Award $9 Billion Cloud Contract in December

The Pentagon’s Chief Information Officer said the multi-cloud, multi-vendor JWCC contract will be awarded “in about a month.”

Cybersecurity

Former CISA Head Calls for Renewed Action to Combat Election Lies

Inaugural CISA director Chris Krebs expressed concern about the spread of election misinformation as Twitter changes up its user verification process.

Cybersecurity

Voting Machine Myths Likely to Increase During and After Midterms, Report Finds

Cybersecurity firm Recorded Future identified mis- and disinformation campaigns suggesting that voting machines from three major companies “will be used to falsify the results of the midterms.”

Cybersecurity

FCC Proposes to Strengthen Cybersecurity of Emergency Alert Systems

The notice of proposed rulemaking would require emergency alert system participants to disclose cyber breaches within 72 hours of discovery.

Artificial Intelligence

Adoption of AI in Health Care Relies on Building Trust, DOD, VA Officials Say

Wider use of health-related artificial intelligence applications at the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense depends on technologies being “sufficiently understandable.”

Emerging Tech

DOD Announces New Contract Awards for Its 'Internet in Space' Effort

Amazon, Microsoft and SpiderOak will help the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit develop a space-based communications network.

Policy

Election Misinformation Targeting Diverse Communities Drives Calls for Collaboration

Nonprofit groups have stated that federal officials need to do more to directly engage with their efforts on the ground. 

Modernization

NOAA planning to join DOD’s electronic health record system

A spokesperson for the office overseeing the rollout of the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system said that NOAA’s deployment of the software is “targeted for summer 2023.”

Emerging Tech

NOAA Planning to Join DOD’s Electronic Health Record System

A spokesperson for the office overseeing the rollout of the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system said that NOAA’s deployment of the software is “targeted for summer 2023.”

Emerging Tech

VA Needs Better Data on Employment Outcomes of ‘Promising’ Tech Training Pilot, Watchdog Says

A Government Accountability Office report found that the Department of Veterans Affairs lacks sufficient data on its VET TEC pilot to “assess the effectiveness of the program at getting veterans into jobs.”

Emerging Tech

US and Allies Developing Deal on Export Controls Targeting China’s Chip Access

The head of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security “would put down money” on the U.S. implementing additional export controls on China’s access to advanced technologies.

Cybersecurity

Public Entities in Nearly Every State Use Federally-Banned Foreign Tech, Report Says

A new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology found that at least 1,681 state and local governments purchased equipment from five Chinese companies that were banned by the federal government between 2015 and 2021.

Cybersecurity

NDAA Amendment Would Establish Veteran-Focused Cyber Training Program

A provision included in House and Senate legislation authorizing Defense Department spending for fiscal year 2023 would allow veterans and military spouses to receive cyber training “at no cost.”

Digital Government

Russia Likely to Experience 'Technological Regress' Due to Sanctions, Experts Predict

A think tank report warned that the resulting sense of vulnerability could lead Russia to “double down” on nuclear capabilities.

Policy

Treasury Debuts Plan to Penalize Foreign Investment Threatening National Security

The guidance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States comes as legislators have been increasingly worried about foreign investment in major technology companies.

Cybersecurity

Global Cyber Workforce Needs 3.4 Million Professionals to Fill Gaps, Study Finds

The survey also found that government cyber workers reported the least confidence in their ability to mitigate security threats over the next couple years “based on their current staff and tools.”