Digital Government
Lawmakers Question How Public Access to Federal Research Will be Achieved
House Science Committee leaders expressed concern about a lack of detailed guidance in the White House’s August memo that directs federal agencies to make their taxpayer-funded research publicly accessible by the end of 2025.
Policy
Chinese Firms Exporting Surveillance Tools Across the Globe, Report Says
A new report from the Atlantic Council said China is allowing government-affiliated companies to export surveillance technologies as part of an effort to expand its global influence.
Emerging Tech
Aligning With Allies on Tech Innovation is Critical to National Security, Top Diplomat Says
During a Hoover Institution event, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called working to establish global technology standards “a part of our national interest and our strength around the world.”
Cybersecurity
Malign Influence Operations Increasing Ahead of Midterms, Report Finds
A report from cybersecurity firm Recorded Future found that nation-state adversaries and domestic extremists are engaged in efforts to influence the outcome of the November elections.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Must Harness Commercial Tech to Deter China in Taiwan Strait, Former Officials Say
The Defense Department’s national defense strategy includes investments to deter China’s global ambitions, but a lag in implementation provides opportunity for Beijing to invade Taiwan.
Digital Government
VA Extends Delay of EHR Rollout Until June 2023 to Address ‘Outstanding Issues’
The Department of Veterans Affairs said additional time is needed to streamline deployment of its new electronic health record system to “make sure it is functioning optimally for veterans.”
Cybersecurity
Lessons from China’s Cyberattack Strategy Can Help CISOs Better Manage Threats, Report Says
A new report from Booz Allen Hamilton analyzed more than a dozen Chinese-sponsored cyberattacks over the past decade.
Cybersecurity
Malicious Emails Surged for Election Workers in 2 Battleground States Ahead of Primaries
Research conducted by cybersecurity firm Trellix found that county election workers in Arizona and Pennsylvania saw an increase in phishing schemes ahead of their primary elections.
Policy
Social Media Content Regulation Requires G7 Consensus, Think Tank Says
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said a U.S.-led forum could develop “a set of voluntary, consensus-based guidelines” for social media platforms to use when moderating user-generated content.
Digital Government
CISA Names Acting Head of National Risk Management Center to Permanent Role
Mona Harrington, who previously served as the executive director of the Election Assistance Commission, has been the acting assistant director of CISA’s NRMC since March.
Policy
FCC Moves to Limit the Number of Spam and Scam Texts
The proposed rule out of the Federal Communications Commission notes such messages should be blocked “at the network level.”
Digital Government
Oversight of DOD Special Operations Forces Requires Better Data, Watchdog Says
Current data collected by U.S. Special Operations Command lacked both consistency and transparency, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Cybersecurity
CISA and FBI Say Malicious Cyber Activity is Unlikely to Compromise Election Infrastructure
The joint public service announcement said “extensive safeguards in place” make it difficult for bad actors to interfere in upcoming midterm elections.
Cybersecurity
GAO: Communication Breakdowns Hurt Otherwise Positive View of Federal Ransomware Support
State, local, tribal and territorial governments have “generally positive views” of agencies’ ransomware assistance, but cited “inconsistent communication” from the FBI as a challenge.
Emerging Tech
Lockheed Martin, Verizon Demonstrate Capabilities of 5G-Enabled Drones for DOD
Recent tests showcase how multiple drones can conduct real-time transfers of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data to geolocate military targets.
Cybersecurity
Over Half of Operating Systems at VA Medical Center in Texas are Outdated, Watchdog Finds
An audit conducted by the VA’s Office of Inspector General found unaddressed security vulnerabilities and deficient devices at the Harlingen VA Health Care Center.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog Identifies Multiple Security Deficiencies at VA Medical Center in Louisiana
The VA’s Office of Inspector General found “critical and high-risk vulnerabilities on 37% of the devices” at the Louisiana-based medical center.
Digital Government
VA ‘Moving Toward Full Compliance’ With Geospatial Data Law, Watchdog Finds
The VA’s Office of Inspector General found said the agency is noncompliant with three of the law’s requirements but is currently in the process of addressing its deficiencies.
Digital Government
Senate Confirms New White House Science and Tech Advisor in Historic Vote
Dr. Arati Prabhakar is the first woman, immigrant or person of color to serve as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Modernization