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CISA Orders Immediate Action on Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Servers
All agencies must report their status to CISA by noon on March 5.
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Biden Criticizes ‘Neanderthal Thinking’ as Two Governors Roll Back Mask Mandates
The Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi this week announced plans to ease public health restrictions, prompting the rebuke from the president.
Nextgov
CIOs’ Wishlist for New Congress and Administration IT Leadership
Three department IT leaders share their top asks from the new Congress and yet-to-be-appointed federal CIO.
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Covid Infections Fall Steeply in Nursing Homes Since Vaccine Rollout
Since December, infection and death rates among residents and workers in long-term care facilities have significantly declined and fewer health care workers are refusing vaccines.
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Lawmaker to Reintroduce Net Neutrality Legislation Within Weeks
Supporters say giving the Federal Communications Commission greater authority over internet service providers is more important in the wake of the pandemic.
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The States Where Driving Was Up and Down the Most After Covid Hit
A new report shows wide variation between states when it comes to how often people got behind the wheel after March of last year.
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House to Vote on Elections Bill That Would Set New Standards For States
Supporters say the legislation will protect voter access. Republican officials argue that it will encroach on states’ rights.
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Police Departments Experiment With 70-Pound Robot Dog
Departments have deployed the cyber K-9s in hostage situations and as part of the covid response. Proponents say the robots can help keep officers out of harm's way, while critics worry how they could be used without clear policy guidelines in place.
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U.S. Unprepared for AI Competition with China, Commission Finds
Retaining any edge will take White House leadership and a substantial investment, according to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
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Draft Senate COVID Relief Bill Includes $1B for Technology Modernization Fund
The fund gets a second chance at a boost after a $9 billion proposal didn’t make it to the House-passed bill.
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Hearing on Hack Prompts Call for Review of Government’s Cloud Procurement
A key lawmaker highlighted a profit motive for “basic” cybersecurity as problematic following an exchange with Microsoft President Brad Smith.
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House Passes $1.9 Trillion Covid Response Bill
The legislation includes $350 billion in direct aid for state, local, and tribal and territorial governments.
Nextgov
DISA Tech Programs Paved the Way for DOD Mass Telework
Two Defense Department officials pointed to culture as a key challenge counteracting innovation.
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Feds Up Share of FEMA Grants That Must Be Spent on Cybersecurity
The Department of Homeland Security is also evaluating the possibility of a new grant program to help states and localities fund cybersecurity upgrades.
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Illinois Becomes First State to Abolish Cash Bail
Judges will instead use a risk assessment tool to determine a defendant's fitness for release. The change is part of a broader criminal justice reform bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed this week.
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VA Wants Help Creating a ‘Strategic Planning Ecosystem’ to Guide IT Modernization Efforts
A contractor will support the development of several strategic plans for the Office of Information Technology.
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Public Employees’ Use of Personal Phones, Tablets Puts Local Governments at Risk
A cybersecurity report found that 25% of state and local government employees use personal digital devices to telework while only 9% of federal employees do so.
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Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020
State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.
Nextgov
Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick
William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”
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