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Category Archives: E-Government

New bill would try to make tools like Zoom and Teams work together securely

The Verge: “A new proposal from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) would require videoconferencing and messaging tools used by the federal government to be able to communicate with each other, even if made by different companies. It would also enforce high security standards for government collaboration tools, including end-to-end encryption. The Secure and Interoperable Government Collaboration Technology Act…would make it so that a government user on Teams, for example, would be able to talk to a colleague at a different agency using Zoom. While the bill would only implement the requirement for tools used by the government, if passed, it could push the industry toward greater interoperability across their user bases…The bill underscores concerns in the government of serious security risks that could arise through technology vendors. It comes shortly after the DHS released a blistering report that found Microsoft could have prevented a Chinese hack of US government emails. It blamed a “cascade of security failures” at Microsoft for the incident…”

Eclipse

Wolfram Precision Eclipse Computation – Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 – Get a precision report on what to expect from your viewing location. NASA – 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When NASA Eclipse Website Solar eclipse 2024 livestream webcams: How to watch Eclipse Explorer For a mobile-friendly or full-screen version of this interactive… Continue Reading

CISA Webpage Dedicated to Providing Resources for High-Risk Communities

“Today, CISA published a new dedicated High-Risk Communities webpage comprised of cybersecurity resources to support civil society communities at heighted risk of digital security threats, including cyber hygiene guidance, a repository of local cyber volunteer programs, and free or discounted tools and services. Despite their vulnerability to advanced cyber threats, many civil society organizations operate… Continue Reading

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, March 31, 2024

Via LLRX – Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, March 31, 2024 – Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on… Continue Reading

FBI Crime Data Explorer

“The Crime Data Explorer (CDE) is the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s dynamic solution to presenting crime data in a more immediate venue that reflects the constant change in the nation’s crime circumstance. The CDE pages provide a view of estimated national and state data, reported agency-level crime statistics, and graphs of specific variables… Continue Reading

Free COVID-19 test program to be suspended for now

The Hill: “The federal government’s free at-home COVID-19 test program will be suspended beginning Friday in response to a drop in respiratory diseases. The Biden administration brought back the free test program last year ahead of the respiratory viral season. By going to COVIDtests.gov, households could order a free pack of four at-home COVID-19 tests.… Continue Reading

Seeking Reliable Election Information? Don’t Trust AI

Proof – Experts testing five leading AI models found the answers were often inaccurate, misleading, and even downright harmful. Twenty-one states, including Texas, prohibit voters from wearing campaign-related apparel at election polling places. But when asked about the rules for wearing a MAGA hat to vote in Texas — the answer to which is easily… Continue Reading

US Census Bureau purposely fudges location data in census to protect people’s privacy

Via Kottke – The U.S. Census Is Wrong on Purpose: “…Full census data is only made available 72 years after the census takes place, in accordance with the creatively-named “72 year rule.” Until then, it is only available as aggregated data with individual identifiers removed. Still, if the population of a town is small enough,… Continue Reading