Artificial Intelligence
NIST delivers draft AI guidance, generative AI pilot program
Pursuant to the White House's sweeping October AI executive order, the National Institute of Standards and Technology unveiled four draft documents and a pilot program to guide AI innovation and testing.
Cybersecurity
NASA doesn't know if its spacecraft have adequate cyber defenses, GAO warns
The agency encourages its spacecraft programs to use an optional best practices guide when it comes to implementing cybersecurity requirements.
Cybersecurity
US warns of Russian hackers targeting operational technology in water systems
The advisory represents official U.S. confirmation that Russian operatives have breached water systems.
Digital Government
Education secretary pledges troubled online student aid tool will be ready for next fall
The online Free Application for Federal Student Aid tool had a rocky release, with bad data and uptime problems, but the Department of Education is looking for improvements next year.
Cybersecurity
UnitedHealth CEO grilled over ‘clear national security threat’ from Change Healthcare hack
CEO Andrew Witty told members of Congress that UnitedHealth believes some members of the armed forces were exposed in the attack.
Emerging Tech
NSF pitches Congress on the potential of quantum technology
The National Science Foundation made a case for robust congressional funding in emerging tech research following budget cuts to the agency this year.
Cybersecurity
Critical infrastructure cyberattacks pushed NSA to unmask thousands of U.S. identities through spying law
The number of U.S. identity unmaskings NSA conducted in response to requests from other agencies through Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tripled in 2023 compared to the prior year.
Artificial Intelligence
Here’s how the government’s AI and tech hiring surge is going so far
Federal civilian agencies are aiming to hire 500 feds with AI expertise in fiscal year 2025.
Modernization
NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn
House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.
Ideas
Federal agencies need to rethink culture in the fight against ransomware
COMMENTARY | Focusing efforts on risk management isn't about checking boxes – it's about building and changing agency culture.
Cybersecurity
Critical infrastructure blueprint gets long-awaited update but maintains status quo on key sectors
The memorandum reaffirms the statutory authority of America’s top cyber agency, but doesn’t update the primary list of critical sectors that can be targeted in cyberattacks, notably leaving out space infrastructure
People
Goodbye degree requirements? Biden administration pushes skills-based hiring for tech talent
The Office of Personnel Management announced on Monday that it will be reworking the policies around the 2210 job series — which covers most government tech employees — to be more skills-based.
Artificial Intelligence
AI could be tapped to design weapons of mass destruction, DHS warns
The new guidance was mandated by President Biden’s October 2023 executive order.
Ideas
Why SD-WAN is the future of government networks
COMMENTARY | The revolution in IT workloads requires flexible, adaptable networking solutions.
Acquisition
Agencies awarded record-breaking $179B to small businesses in FY23
The Small Business Administration’s annual procurement scorecard found that 22 federal agencies received an “A” rating or higher when it came to meeting their contracting goals.
Cybersecurity
FCC fines major wireless carriers $200M for illegally selling customer location data
The wireless providers said they plan to appeal the fine.
Artificial Intelligence
Feds need to be careful when tapping generative AI for work
Human review of AI-generated outputs is critical, OPM says in new guidance for government employees.
Cybersecurity
VA is warning veterans about Change Healthcare cyberattack, secretary says
“There’s no confirmation yet” that veterans’ data was leaked by the ransomware attack, according to the VA secretary, but the department is proactively alerting millions of veterans and beneficiaries to be safe.
Digital Government
IRS considers future of Direct File pilot
The agency hasn’t decided if it’ll field the program long term but does say that user feedback of the tool has largely been positive.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS launches new AI safety and security board
The board will be made up of 22 representatives from private sector, government and academia and will advise Secretary Mayorkas on risk mitigation for AI in critical infrastructure.
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