Technology

Pentagon background-check systems at risk of hacking, GAO says

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency didn’t fully implement DOD’s cybersecurity process, a new report finds.

  • Lauren C. Williams

Biden nominates a new director for the Defense Information Systems Agency

Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton, who currently leads the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence, has been picked to replace Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner.

  • Edward Graham

Lawmakers look to restore TSA funding to speed screening tech deployment

The measure is one of three bipartisan proposals rolled out this week that seek to bolster funding for TSA’s deployment of new technologies and to limit invasive pat-downs of travelers.

  • Edward Graham

HHS launches an online tool to identify communities hit hardest by extreme heat

The heat and health index tool provides zip code level data to flag neighborhoods that are the most at risk of experiencing harmful health outcomes as a result of high temperatures.

  • Edward Graham

DHS sets its research sights on 8 emerging technologies

The Homeland Security Department’s Innovation, Research and Development Strategic Plan focuses its investment the next seven years on AI, cybersecurity, biotech and more. 

  • Alexandra Kelley

Space Force inches closer to classified remote work

The platform could be a popular remote-work solution for Space Systems Command.

  • Lauren C. Williams

CISA would get millions for cyber workforce outreach to underserved communities under new bill

The measure comes amid concerns from cybersecurity officials and professionals over how workforce diversity gaps may threaten U.S. cyber defenses.

  • Natalie Alms and David DiMolfetta

Connolly presses EPA on air quality IT with new bill

Legislation the Virginia Democrat introduced Tuesday would codify watchdog recommendations to assess decades-old systems at the EPA.

  • Natalie Alms

Federal broadband subsidy cut amid fears over its future

The Affordable Connectivity Program will pay some households just $14 in May, down from $30. Unless Congress acts on a $7 billion extension bill, it will run out of money at the end of the month, plunging some families, supporters warn, into “digital darkness.”

  • Chris Teale

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.

  • Adam Mazmanian

The Labor Department wants Congress to help to fix unemployment insurance tech and delivery

Among the asks: fund the program adequately, the Labor Department says.

  • Natalie Alms

Congress tries again for comprehensive data privacy bill

The bill would establish national data privacy standards, with the Federal Trade Commission crafting rules for enforcement.

  • David DiMolfetta
Featured eBooks
Budget Outlook for Fiscal 2025
Cyber Workforce
Missile Defense

How to fix the military’s software SNAFU

Too many of its apps are built on code riddled with vulnerabilities—and distributed by the Pentagon itself.

  • John Speed Meyers

Top women officials say there’s more work to do on gender balance in government tech

Women seem to be far more common in government’s top tech leadership positions than they used to be, but “we are far from done,” one such leader warns.

  • Natalie Alms

Lawmakers propose a new federal office to regulate workplace surveillance tech

The new bill from Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., would also establish new employee rights and employer transparency rules around surveillance.

  • Edward Graham

New bill aims to bring SNAP card security up to credit card standards

Security standards for SNAP cards have not kept pace with industry advancements, lawmakers say.

  • David DiMolfetta

Biden administration explores using Tesla-style tech in federally funded EV chargers

Most automakers have announced plans to use the industry leader’s standards, which would give them access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.

  • Daniel C. Vock

VA budget bill maintains EHR funding but imposes additional ‘reset’ oversight

The bipartisan FY24 budget package allocates over $1.3 billion for the agency’s new electronic health record system but makes 25% of that funding contingent on enhanced transparency around VA’s ongoing EHR “program reset.”

  • Edward Graham

SSA taps White House tech official for CIO post

Marcela Escobar-Alava will be starting as the CIO of the Social Security Administration on Monday.

  • Natalie Alms

Biden administration waives certain ‘Build America’ requirements for broadband

Even with the waiver, though, the administration estimates that roughly 90% of funding for equipment will still be used to purchase U.S.-made products.

  • Kery Murakami

DOJ names its first chief AI officer

The new role is intended to focus on building a tech-ready workforce and interagency cooperation.

  • Alexandra Kelley