Cybersecurity Awareness Month Focus Areas for State and Local Government

by  Dominick Sorrentino

Key themes emerge as jurisdictions across the country mark October with training and security campaigns.

Summary

State and local agencies are observing Cybersecurity Awareness Month with public campaigns and essential employee training, underscoring that security is a “people issue.” Jurisdictions are reprioritizing cyber hygiene around several core themes.

These priorities include Workforce Development and User Awareness Training, considered the top cybersecurity investment. Other key areas are the Convergence of OT and IT Cybersecurity to secure critical infrastructure, often leveraging AI; the merging of Physical Security and IT as governments digitize surveillance; and streamlining Identity and Access Management to balance security and user experience.

Finally, a major focus is on Cyber Resilience and Business Continuity. Since attacks like ransomware are inevitable, agencies prioritize the ability to make a swift recovery and remain operational with minimal disruption.

 Read full story at StatTech…

FCC Initiates Process to Ban Hong Kong Telecom in US

by  David DiMolfetta

The agency has previously barred China-linked communications providers from operating on American soil.

Summary

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated steps to ban Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) from operating on U.S. networks. The agency issued an Order to Show Cause, demanding HKT explain why its authorization should not be revoked. This action continues the FCC's long-term strategy of jettisoning communications providers deemed a risk to national security. HKT is affiliated with China Unicom, which was previously banned.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asserted that the order ensures entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cannot connect to U.S. telecom infrastructure. HKT confirmed it is reviewing the order and plans to respond appropriately to the authorities. The FCC's move is part of a broader probe into Chinese providers that may still be operating in the U.S. despite prior restrictions.

 Read full story at NextGov…

How One Firm Uses Digital Twins to Develop Large Transportation Infrastructure Projects

by  Dan Zukowski

The technology can help build buy-in, minimize costly errors and facilitate monitoring and maintenance, a Bentley Systems senior director says.

Summary

The article describes how digital twins are used in construction management, particularly for large transportation infrastructure projects.

Digital twins help build public buy-in by providing a visual representation of the project, allowing stakeholders to understand the project better. Additionally, digital twins can help avoid design errors by providing a comprehensive view of the project, allowing for better decision-making.

 Read full story at SmartCitiesDive…

Facebook's New Feature Can Scan Your Camera Roll to Tell You What to Post

by  Katelyn Chedraoui

You have to opt in to sharing your camera roll, which is good if you're concerned about privacy.

Summary

Facebook is introducing a new tool that suggests photos and videos from your camera roll for use in Stories and Feed posts, also offering editing and collage recommendations. This feature is currently live for users in the US and Canada. The announcement initially sparked privacy concerns that Meta would gain unrestricted access to users' entire camera rolls for potential AI training.

Meta confirmed that the feature is strictly opt–in, meaning they can only access the content if the user grants explicit permission. Furthermore, the company states that content will only be used to train Meta AI if the user engages with its editing tools, as outlined in Meta's privacy policy. Users can enable or disable this feature through their Facebook app's settings under “Camera roll sharing suggestions.” It's a major update—one of many recent changes to the platform.

 Read full story at CNET…

Is AI Really Behind Layoffs, or Just a Convenient Excuse for Companies?

by  Rob Thubron

Are companies using the technology as a scapegoat?

Summary

A hot potato: Many companies are now citing artificial intelligence as the reason for job cuts, but some critics argue AI is merely a convenient scapegoat, similar to return-to-office mandates, which can act as “quiet firing.”

When ChatGPT gained popularity, firms were cautious about linking AI to layoffs, often denying its role. Recently, however, companies like Accenture, Salesforce, and Microsoft openly attribute staff reductions to AI-driven efficiency gains. Fabian Stephany, Assistant Professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, told CNBC that firms are “scapegoating” AI, using it as an excuse for layoffs tied to overhiring during the pandemic.

Blaming AI helps companies appear innovative to investors. Yet, a Yale Budget Lab study found little evidence that AI displaces workers more than past innovations, and Goldman Sachs predicts a temporary 6–7% workforce reduction.

 Read full story at TechSpot…

Meta Ramps Up Scam Detection Features in WhatsApp and Messenger

by  Kristian Kask

In addition to better protecting users against fraud, some Meta platforms now also support passkeys.

Summary

Meta is rolling out several new security tools across its platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Messenger—to combat fraud and scams. On Messenger, a new feature will detect and warn users about suspicious chats, and Meta's AI can now be prompted to review them for potential scams.

For video calls on WhatsApp, a new warning will remind users only to share their screen with trusted contacts. Furthermore, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp now support passkeys, which offer enhanced protection over traditional passwords. Users can also access a simplified security overview on Facebook and Instagram, while WhatsApp gains a new guided tour for its privacy settings.

 Read full story at PCWorld…

An Unofficial Federal Mandate for Utilities to Focus on Reliability and Affordability

by  Jeremiah Karpowicz

The reality of the Department of Energy's LPO $1.6 billion loan guarantee to upgrade 5,000 miles of transmission lines across the Midwest highlights how reliability and affordability are becoming top federal priorities.

Summary

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) has issued a $1.6 billion loan guarantee to an American Electric Power (AEP) subsidiary for upgrading approximately 5,000 miles of transmission lines across five Midwest states. This deal confirms that federal funding remains available for grid-strengthening projects, despite recent project cancellations.

More significantly, the funding announcement serves as a roadmap for the administration's project evaluation criteria. The DOE's focus on projects that demonstrably improve “strengthen grid reliability and ensure lower electricity costs” indicates a clear federal mandate. Utilities must prioritize and clearly communicate a measurable increase in grid resilience and service continuity, while also helping mitigate rising consumer electricity prices, to secure major federal support.

 Read full story at FactorThis…

DOE is Leading Fusion Research

by  Department of Energy

Fusion can potentially provide a safe, abundant, zero-carbon-emitting source of reliable primary energy.

Summary

The article describes fusion energy as a potential source of clean and abundant energy. The article highlights the Department of Energy's (DOE) investment in fusion research for decades, focusing on areas like plasma physics, materials science, and advanced scientific computing.

To reach the point where fusion can reliably produce electricity and other forms of energy for commercial, industrial, and residential use, scientists and engineers must tackle a number of remaining scientific and technological challenges.

The article also mentions the DOE's support for the ITER experiment, a global collaboration to build and operate a fusion power plant.

 Read full story at Energy.gov…

Gas Reliance Will Worsen the Energy Affordability Crisis

by  Cassady Craighill

Utilities and regulators should consider other options before investing in gas plants and making customers pay the inflated price, writes Cassady Craighill, technical education director at GridLab.

Summary

Amid rising electricity prices and demand, a universal crisis in the U.S., utilities propose new gas plants for affordability and reliability. However, new research from GridLab, Energy Futures Group, and Halcyon reveals outdated cost assumptions: recent combined-cycle gas turbine projects cost $2,000/kW, far exceeding prior estimates of $1,116–$1,427/kW for 2026–2027 completions.

Adding fuel ($1,500/kW levelized over 20 years) and pipeline costs ($500/kW), total expenses trend toward $4,000– $4,500/kW. For similar investment, solar plus storage offers comparable capacity with declining costs, avoiding fuel and carbon risks. Acquiring existing gas assets also sees rising prices, up three times since 2020.

Utilities and regulators must consider alternatives like storage and demand-side management to address the affordability crisis effectively, rather than relying on costly gas.

 Read full story at UtilityDive…