Tag Archives: VA

How to Win at AI

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The Administration's overarching AI guidance, Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan, was developed to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge in AI technology development and deployment. The plan and accompanying Executive Orders (EO) focus on three core priorities:

  • Building AI-ready infrastructure
  • Establishing and promoting a U.S.-technology export regime
  • Defining "bias" in models to ensure use of unbiased large language models in government

This plan follows a January executive order that pledged delivery of an AI Action Plan within six months. Continue reading →

Improved Technology Means Improved Citizen Service

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A focus on government efficiency should benefit citizens by yielding improved service and better stewardship of tax dollars. Efforts have been underway across government for decades to improve service to the citizen. With the government embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and new security paradigms, the digitization of government continues to accelerate in support of citizen service.

Paperwork Reduction

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 kicked off the government's focus on reducing both paperwork and manual effort. Now a new piece of legislation may accelerate efforts further. The ePermit Act was introduced to create an interagency data system to serve as a single point for tracking real-time data on environmental reviews. Currently, agencies have siloed systems that make it difficult to share information, even though permitting often spans multiple agencies. This act responds to the administration's desire to streamline regulatory compliance, easing burdens on industry. Continue reading →

Blockchain’s Role in Blocking Fraud

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Blockchain technology has gained traction across the U.S. government as a practical tool for multiple diverse purposes. From streamlining procurement to preventing fraud, agencies are increasingly exploring how blockchain can enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in federal operations. However, with innovation comes risk. The government is also looking into how to ensure the technology is not misused to conceal illicit activity, commit fraud, or obscure accountability.

Fraud Prevention

Since every transaction in a blockchain is recorded permanently, malicious actions are traceable, which increases accountability. Each transaction is unique and chronologically linked, meaning a record cannot be copied, altered, or duplicated without triggering detection. This level of traceability allows governments to confirm that payments are going to the intended recipients. For foreign aid, payments can be tracked not just to the intended country but as they continue on from there. In terms of domestic benefits, blockchain can verify the identities of welfare recipients, while simultaneously confirming their eligibility. Continue reading →

It’s Really Time for REAL ID

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The REAL ID law, passed in 2005, was a response to the 9/11 attacks--an effort to make state-issued identification more secure and harder to counterfeit. This law requires the use of REAL IDs for air travel and admittance to federal buildings.

People may obtain REAL IDs via an in-person visit to a state Department of Motor Vehicles. The bolstered security of a REAL ID comes with the following added requirements:

  • Proof of identity and citizenship through one of the following: unexpired passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • Proof of social security number with a social security card, a W-2 form, or a pay stub
  • Proof of residency with a utility bill, mortgage statement, bank statement, or voter registration card

A REAL ID can be identified by a star in the upper right corner of the ID. The exact color of the star varies from state to state. Continue reading →

Funding Security at the Local Level

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The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) was launched as part of the 2021 infrastructure law to help states and localities bolster their cybersecurity defenses. State and local agencies hold incredibly sensitive data yet historically lack the budget and staff to implement modern security tools and approaches, making them a target for threat actors. The SLCGP was designed to bridge this gap, allowing states to bolster their cyber infrastructure. Funding for this program is set to expire in September 2025, leaving states worried about how they will continue to maintain and enhance their cybersecurity postures.

What is the SLCGP?

The Cyber Grant Program is jointly administered by the DHS's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It requires states to funnel 80% of the funding to local governments, which are often the shortest on IT staff and funding, to ensure the equitable distribution of funding across organizations. Continue reading →