Digital Government

Navigating the increasing government cybersecurity challenges in 2025 and beyond

COMMENTARY | Identity security, resiliency and a whole-of-state approach are just some of the ways agencies can steel themselves against the ever-increasing threat landscape.

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Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere

Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.

States must ‘keep delivering’ amid new Trump AI order

The pace of the new administration rescinding previous guidance and implementing their own might make leaders’ heads spin. But experts said they cannot be distracted from their own missions.

Utah lawmakers advance bill requiring age verification for app store purchases

The Utah Senate advanced a law to require app stores to verify the ages of customers to give parents more control over their kids' accounts.

Texas’ social media law takes another hit with temporary blocks on three more provisions

The new injunction prohibits advertising and age verification restrictions in the SCOPE Act, which aims to make social media safer for teenagers.

Youth-focused social media mandates need teeth, not just training

Recent legislation in Iowa would require sixth through eighth graders to study the “effects of social media.” But experts caution that minors can’t just be warned about the platforms’ dangers.

Ohio lawmakers mull energy overhaul as data center demand piles up

Ohio lawmakers on the House Energy Committee began discussion this week on a measure to overhaul the state’s energy landscape as a supply and demand imbalance is emerging between the state's aging fossil fuel plants and manufacturing and data center development.

Facial recognition in policing is getting state-by-state guardrails

Instances of false arrests and privacy concerns are drawing lawmakers’ attention.

How emerging tech is shaping law enforcement

Sensors and analytics are helping under-resourced departments be more effective. But agencies must do their due diligence when adopting these new systems.

How Philadelphia incentivizes residents to sharpen their digital skills

The city’s Digital Navigators Program can help residents more effectively leverage city resources and improve their employment prospects, one official says.

DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX

CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.

Using human-centered design to improve public service experiences

Agencies may be risk-averse, but using this method is the perfect way forward as it puts those impacted by a product or service’s design at its heart.

A BEAD critic could end up running the internet access program

Arielle Roth, a former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has been tapped to head up the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She has long been skeptical of some of the $42 billion effort’s provisions.

Tech and chip manufacturing help make metro areas ‘dynamic’

The increase in semiconductor facilities, spurred in part by federal funding, has helped vault some cities forward. But some experts caution not to rely too heavily on one sector for economic development.

A decade and $600M later, New York prisons still lack cameras

After footage of the killing of Robert Brooks sparked national outcry, Governor Kathy Hochul promised to fully equip New York prisons with cameras. The project has stalled for years.

DHS watchdog investigating TSA’s use of facial recognition

The review comes after a bipartisan group of senators previously called for the watchdog to look into TSA’s use of biometric tools “from both an authorities and privacy perspective.”

How better edtech management can help schools navigate new immigration rules

School officials can leverage data and technology to comply with new federal immigration rules while still protecting the civil liberties of immigrant students, according to a new policy brief.

Teens on social media: Red, blue and purple states are all passing laws to restrict and protect adolescents

COMMENTARY | New restrictions on how children and teens can spend time online remain concentrated at the state level.

Federal tech grant recipients sweat future amid ongoing uncertainty

The federal Office of Management and Budget’s memo pausing grants caused massive uncertainty, including for technology efforts reliant on the money. Recipients say their work will continue, but be harder, without federal help.

Lawmakers move bills aimed at stopping minors’ access to obscene materials, porn

The measures proposed would raise penalties on distributing obscene materials to minors and require age verification on certain websites.

New bill seeks to allow Idaho to create optional electronic driver’s licenses

The Transportation Security Administration already accepts digital driver’s licenses issued by 14 states, including Utah.