Author Archive

Alexandra Kelley

Staff Correspondent

Alexandra Kelley
Alexandra Kelley reports on emerging technology for Nextgov. Her most recent post was covering breaking news for The Hill where she focused on a variety of quantitative subjects, including Big Tech and the economy, in addition to covering the coronavirus pandemic since late 2019. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2017.
Cybersecurity

Lawmaker and staffer health data exposed in insurance breach

The attack on local insurance company DC Health Link threatens to expose personal information of House lawmakers and Hill staffers.

Digital Government

Creating responsible AI presents 'major technical challenges,' NIST official says

Experts discussed the regulations needed for fast-developing AI software, with NIST’s Elham Tabassi emphasizing the need for proper data and measurement strategies for different systems.

Cybersecurity

EPA: States must evaluate cybersecurity of public water systems

The Environmental Protection Agency said it was expanding its capacity for helping states assess the cybersecurity of operational technology used in public water systems.

Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks on Energy's National Labs draw lawmaker scrutiny

The attacks, allegedly conducted by Russian-based adversaries, occurred during August and September 2022, potentially exposing sensitive U.S. scientific research.

Digital Government

State Department creates first office devoted to emerging technology diplomacy

The Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology will facilitate strategic partnerships to develop and regulate innovative tech.

New U.S.-E.U. data privacy framework focuses on limiting U.S. surveillance

Fortifying European citizens’ data and privacy rights are central to the updated U.S.-EU Data Privacy Framework. 

Digital Government

State Department reverses course on communications tech exports to Iran to counter regime crackdown

The U.S. State Department expanded exports to grant Iranian citizens better access to secure communications.

Cybersecurity

Federal cyber mandates for water infrastructure are too costly to implement, experts tell Hill panel

A House hearing saw expert testimony emphasizing the need for steady funding to cybersecurity programs in water utility providers––especially in rural regions. 

Digital Government

White House roadmap will guide efforts to regulate crypto, digital assets

Several agencies contributed to the new framework, as the Biden administration eyes a streamlined approach to regulating and benefitting from the volatile digital asset marketplace.

Acquisition

NIST, Google announce chip R&D partnership

The public-private sector collaboration will make industry standard chips available to smaller research entities to encourage semiconductor manufacturing.

Cybersecurity

FTC sues location data collector, alleging lax security

The Federal Trade Commission is going after data broker Kochava over its practice of selling “sensitive geolocation data.”

Cybersecurity

CISA warns critical infrastructure to prepare for mass post-quantum systems migration

Quantum computing is the latest frontier in technological innovation, and its hacking potential has regulators advising companies to begin to safeguard their networks. 

Digital Government

VA's new master record aims to be a 'single source of truth' for veteran data

The new VA Profile system is a back-end data storage program that will give agency offices and systems a single source for accurate veteran information.

Cybersecurity

NIST revises cybersecurity guidelines specifically for HIPAA

NIST will accept comments on the updated draft publication regarding HIPAA’s Security Rule until September 21. 

Cybersecurity

Biden’s executive order sharpens health data privacy following Roe v. Wade overturn

The executive order brings federal enforcement to protecting location and health data, in order to prevent law enforcement abuses.

Cybersecurity

NIST identifies 4 quantum-resistant encryption algorithms

Federal researchers are one step closer to protecting U.S. data from quantum computing decryption capabilities.

Congress

Bipartisan bill proposes new federal data privacy standards

The American Data Privacy and Protection Act stands to improve American users’ data privacy and offers federal regulatory power.

Cybersecurity

Report finds identity fraud up 167% in USPS change of address requests

The USPS Office of the Inspector General recommends stricter identity verification controls online, while management disagrees.

People

Senate confirms NIST leader

Laurie Locascio, a bioengineering professor and NIST alum, was nominated by President Biden back in 2021.

Cybersecurity

State Department announces first Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy

The new office will work to advance foreign and domestic security through modernizations featuring new and emerging technology.