6 Ways Generative AI Will Transform Government in 2024

by  Raj Iyer

State and local agencies can embrace the technology to speed citizen services.

Artificial intelligence is no longer an intangible concept; it’s actively reshaping every aspect of our society. From healthcare to education, from transportation to defense, AI is enabling new levels of efficiency, innovation and impact. 2023 saw the emergence and rapid advancement of generative AI, which has the potential to significantly alter the ways government operates and interacts with citizens.

As a new year unfolds, there are already clear indications that adoption of generative AI in government will accelerate, bringing benefits to citizen services, cybersecurity, procurement and more. Here’s what could come next.

 Read full story at StateTech…

FTC Bans Data Broker from Selling Precise Consumer Location Data

by  Hunton Andrews Kurth,LLP Staff

On January 18, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed order against geolocation data broker InMarket Media, barring the company from selling or licensing precise location data. According to the FTC’s charges, InMarket failed to obtain informed consent from users of applications developed by the company and its third-party partners.

InMarket is a data aggregator company that developed a software tool for use in mobile applications developed by InMarket or third-party developers. The software tool allowed the company to track users’ geolocation and analyze points of interest visited by such users. InMarket then used data from this analysis to sort consumers into audience segments for targeted advertising.

 Read full story at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP…

How Small Contractors Can Prepare for New Cybersecurity Rules

by  Michelle Jenkins

Some contractors are slowly reassessing spend in other areas of the company and applying larger budgets to future IT and cyber compliance.

Defense Industrial Base (DIB) partners will eventually be subject to increased assessment and certification of their cybersecurity programs and systems. The Defense Department is codifying a more stringent phase of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) rules.

Small contractors and subcontractors are not excluded from what is being called CMMC 2.0. All contractors will need to provide specific assurance that they “are meeting the cybersecurity requirements that apply to acquisition programs and systems that process controlled unclassified information.”

 Read full story at Federal News Network…

Apple Releases iOS 17.3 … Introduces New Stolen Device Protection Tool

by  Lawrence Bonk

There’s also a refreshed iPadOS, with the same feature.

…This is a modest refresh, so don’t go looking for anything too crazy. There is, however, a new feature called Stolen Device Protection. This isn’t used to locate a stolen iPhone or iPad, but rather to keep the thieves from accessing your personal data.

… If someone manages to steal your iPhone or iPad, and you are updated to OS 17.3, you can lock them out of the system by forcing Face ID or Touch ID access.

 Read full story at engadget…

Don’t Make This Mistake or You’ll Get Nasty Adware and Trackers

by  Lawrence Bonk

There’s also a refreshed iPadOS, with the same feature.

…This is a modest refresh, so don’t go looking for anything too crazy. There is, however, a new feature called Stolen Device Protection. This isn’t used to locate a stolen iPhone or iPad, but rather to keep the thieves from accessing your personal data.

… If someone manages to steal your iPhone or iPad, and you are updated to OS 17.3, you can lock them out of the system by forcing Face ID or Touch ID access.

 Read full story at engadget…

Microsoft Network Breached Through Password-Spraying by Russia-State Hackers

by  Dan Gordin

Senior execs' emails accessed in network breach that wasn't caught for 2 months

Russia-state hackers exploited a weak password to compromise Microsoft’s corporate network and accessed emails and documents that belonged to senior executives and employees working in security and legal teams, Microsoft said late Friday.

The attack, which Microsoft attributed to a Kremlin-backed hacking group it tracks as Midnight Blizzard, is at least the second time in as many years that failures to follow basic security hygiene have resulted in a breach that has the potential to harm customers

 Read full story at arsTechnica…

Compare 10 Smart Meter Solutions Based on 500+ Review

by  AIMultiple

Smart meters eliminate constraints of traditional electricity meters, improving the advanced metering infrastructure.

…Despite growing interest, the smart metering landscape remains intricate, featuring a multitude of tools and diverse contributing technologies. This article aims to disentangle this complexity, offering clarity and insights into the diverse facets of smart meter solutions.

Despite growing interest, the smart metering landscape remains intricate, featuring a multitude of tools and diverse contributing technologies. This article aims to disentangle this complexity, offering clarity and insights into the diverse facets of smart meter solutions.

 Read full story at EINPresswire…

Cybersecurity Resource Guide for Public Power Utilities

by  American Public Power Assoc.

Implementing and sustaining cybersecurity best practices is the first step to protecting against cyberattacks, breaches, and other incidents.

The American Public Power Association acknowledges the importance of protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical infrastructure systems and digital assets. This comprehensive, high-level cybersecurity guide, developed by APPA, offers reliable industry guidance and resources aligned with a high-level outline of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework.

 Read full story at American Public Power Assoc.…

FERC Approves Gas Pipeline Needed for TVA Plan to Shutter 2.5-GW Coal-Fired Power Plant

by  Ethan Howland

Replacing the Cumberland power plant with gas-fired generation will reduce carbon emissions by about 7 million metric tons a year, FERC said.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday approved two natural gas pipeline projects, including one that will supply a planned power plant the Tennessee Valley Authority intends to use to help replace a 2,470-MW coal-fired generating station.

Earlier this month, the TVA, a federal power agency, said it might delay retiring its Cumberland power plant in Tennessee if FERC didn’t promptly approve a 32-mile pipeline to be built by Tennessee Gas Pipeline.

 Read full story at UtilityDive…