Nextgov
CISA Encourages Mitigations in Face of OnePercent Group
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency shared an FBI flash report on the group which provides insight into the extent of the ransomware business ecosystem.
Route Fifty
Governor Has Oversight of Mask Decisions, A State Supreme Court Rules
Texas’ highest court issued a ruling Thursday that blocks school districts in Bexar County from enforcing mask mandates.
Pay & Benefits
Sorry, These Retirement Rumors Just Aren’t True
If it sounds too good to be true—well, you know the rest.
Workforce
Postal Service to Hire 100,000 Employees in 2021
The hiring is part of a $40 billion investment in the mailing agency's workforce and infrastructure.
Nextgov
Facial Recognition Tech Use Increasing Among Federal Agencies
Use cases included criminal investigations, building security and access to digital assets like smartphones and security agency websites.
Management
Organizations Urge Expansion of Visa Program to Help Subcontractor and Subgrantee Employees Leave Afghanistan
Currently such employees do not qualify for special visa programs, leaving them in a precarious situation as evacuation efforts grow more difficult.
Pay & Benefits
Feds to Receive Administrative Leave for Vaccinations
New guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force simplifies the process for federal employees to receive leave to get themselves or family members vaccinated.
Defense
Not For the First Time, COVID Takes Back Seat to a More Pressing Crisis
The evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan depends on cramming people into closed spaces—during a global pandemic.
Management
The Future of Work Is Flexible
Even for national security workers, remote work options will be more prevalent in the post-COVID era.
Defense
Number of Objects in Low Earth Orbit Jumps 22% in 2 Years: Space Operations Command
Need to track, detect objects driving need for new space domain awareness investment.
Defense
Afghanistan Airlift Ops Have Rescued 101,300 From Kabul
But numbers out each day are dropping as Taliban tighten grip on airport, security threats rise.
Management
The FDA Approved Pfizer’s Vaccine. What Does that Mean for Kids under 12?
The White House’s COVID-19 task force explains the recommendation on boosters and urges caution on off-label vaccines for young children.
Tech
GovExec Daily: UFOs and the Pentagon
Nextgov's Brandi Vincent speaks to former Sen. Harry Reid about the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and how the government is monitoring the threats.
Nextgov
White House Tasks NIST with Producing Another Cybersecurity Framework
The administration touted private-sector commitments to improve cybersecurity through training and design.
Management
Republicans Demand Answers on Ouster of Social Security Commissioner
GOP lawmakers call the firing of Andrew Saul “unlawful” and ask the comptroller general to outline how acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi’s powers may be constrained by the Vacancies Act.
Route Fifty
Only 11% in Rental Assistance Spent, Treasury Department Prepares to Reallocate Unspent Aid
State and local rental assistance programs have doled out little of the $46.5 billion in emergency rental assistance and jurisdictions that don’t disperse money soon could have to return it.
Nextgov
DHS Launching First Federal Civilian Position Exempt from Longevity Requirements
The Cyber Talent Management System has been in the works since a 2014 law granted the department authorities to sidestep rigid classification formats such as the General Schedule.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Adopts Slight Budget Decrease for Fiscal 2022
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight