3 Ways Federal IT Leaders Can Maximize Existing Tech

by  https://fedtechmagazine.com/article/2026/03/3-ways-federal-it-leaders-can-maximize-existing-tech

Officials must optimize their systems for employees returning to the office full time, now and into the future.

Summary

David Sizemore, solutions architect at CDW·G with over 20 years of federal IT experience, outlines strategies for federal agencies navigating return-to-office policies while maintaining secure, flexible technology environments. IT leaders must deliver consistent user experiences, robust cybersecurity, optimized networks, and adaptable digital services amid evolving mission needs.

First, optimize existing investments in cloud services, VPNs, collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, plus endpoint tools. Agencies are enhancing these for hybrid use, integrating videoconferencing hardware, shared workspaces, and seamless access to printers and logins.

Second, enable secure flexible work by accelerating zero-trust architectures for continuous verification of users, devices, and applications. Extend endpoint detection tools and unified management platforms such as Microsoft Intune or VMware Workspace ONE to cover dispersed workforces.

Third, prepare for future shifts with analytics for real-time visibility into operations, plus digital twins and simulations to model scenarios and proactively address gaps.

 Read full story at FedTech…

3 Ways to Choose Valuable Open Data

by  Jason Shueh

Mark Headd, Philadelphia's former chief data officer, and others offer practical steps any government can use to start or improve open data programs.

Summary

Mark Headd, former Philadelphia chief data officer, and colleagues offered practical steps for governments to start or improve open data programs.

They emphasized problem-solving and value creation, suggesting starting with publicly available data, identifying high-demand data through analytics, and considering offline indicators like FOIA requests.

These strategies aim to maximize the benefits of open data while minimizing risks and inefficiencies.

 Read full story at GovTech…

CISA Launches Investigation Into Stryker Cyberattack

by  David DiMolfetta

The hack arguably represents the most significant cyber incident linked to the recent Iran war.

Summary

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched an investigation into a cyberattack on medical technology giant Stryker, one day after the pro-Tehran hacking group Handala claimed responsibility for sabotaging employees’ devices worldwide. The assault wiped phones and blocked computer access, with Handala’s logo displayed on login pages amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen stated the agency is “working shoulder-to-shoulder” with partners to uncover details and provide technical assistance while defending critical infrastructure. Stryker, a Michigan-based leader in hospital and surgical equipment with ties to U.S. defense contracts, reported in an SEC filing that the “cybersecurity incident” disrupted its Microsoft environment globally but is now “contained,” though access limitations persist.

Experts describe this as the first confirmed Iranian cyber retaliation in the conflict, warning of likely additional disruptive operations by state-nexus groups.

 Read full story at NextGov…

Best VPN Service for 2026

by  Attila Tomaschek & Moe Long

Streaming, gaming or traveling? You might want a virtual private network. Our expert testing team rigorously evaluated these top VPNs for privacy, speed and value.

Summary

The best VPNs offer robust privacy protections without compromising on performance or noticeably affecting your internet speeds. At CNET, we rigorously test VPNs across all major platforms to determine which ones provide exceptional privacy, reliability, speed, streaming access and value. We retested our top picks in August 2025 to evaluate new features, examine the latest audits and ensure each service maintains our standards for quality. ExpressVPN remains our choice for best overall VPN, with NordVPN and Surfshark following closely behind.

 Read full story at CNET…

Microsoft March Patch Tuesday: 8 Critical Bulletins and 2 Zero-Days

by  Chris Paoli

Microsoft's March 2026 Patch Tuesday includes fixes for 83 vulnerabilities affecting Windows, Office, SQL Server, Azure and .NET.

Summary

Microsoft's March 2026 Patch Tuesday addresses 83 vulnerabilities across various products, including Windows, Office, SQL Server, Azure, and .NET. Two zero-day vulnerabilities were disclosed, affecting .NET and SQL Server, but exploitation risk is considered low.

Eight critical vulnerabilities require customer action, with three affecting Microsoft Office and Excel, posing risks like remote code execution and data exfiltration.

 Read full story at Redmond Mga…

Sydney Researchers Build Ultra-Compact AI Chip Operating At Speed Of Light

by  Matt Swayne

The prototype encodes AI models directly into nanoscale photonic structures that manipulate photons to carry out machine-learning operations in picoseconds while generating far less heat than conventional electronic chips.

Summary

Australian researchers at the University of Sydney have developed an ultra-compact nanophotonic AI chip that performs neural network calculations using light instead of electricity, achieving computation at the speed of light with minimal heat generation.

The prototype encodes AI models directly into nanoscale photonic structures that manipulate photons to carry out machine-learning operations in picoseconds. Built entirely in-house at the Sydney Nano Hub, the chip replaces energy-intensive electron movement with light-based processing, offering a pathway to far more energy-efficient AI hardware.

In testing, the nanophotonic neural network successfully classified more than 10,000 biomedical MRI images with 90–99 percent accuracy. Published in Nature Communications, the technology addresses growing concerns over AI’s massive energy demands and data centre consumption.

Researchers are now scaling the design toward larger photonic neural networks for sustainable, ultrafast AI computing.

 Read full story at Quantum Insider…

Energy Department Announces $171.5 Million To Expand U.S. Geothermal Energy

by  Energy.gov

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a funding opportunity of $171.5 million to support next-generation geothermal field-scale tests for both electricity generation and exploration drilling to support characterization and potential confirmation of promising geothermal prospects.https://www.energy.gov/

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a $171.5 million funding opportunity to support next-generation geothermal field-scale tests and exploration drilling.

This initiative aims to advance geothermal technology, innovation, and exploration, supporting the potential for geothermal energy to provide affordable, reliable electricity nationwide. The funding opportunity includes six topics, with two open for applications in the first round.

 Read full story at Energy.gov…

Smarter Grid Operations Start With Integration at the Edge

by  Jared Leader

During SEPA's Bridging Innovation Workshop at DTECH 2026, utilities and their technology providers came together to help answer questions about their shared capabilities and capacities through best practices and actionable insights.

Summary

The modern electric utility industry faces a critical turning point as climate risks and rapid load growth strain the traditional grid. While the historical response to demand was simply to build more capacity, the SEPA Bridging Innovation Workshop at DTECH 2026 emphasized a strategic shift toward operational capability. Experts argue that utilities must prioritize grid utilization and flexibility — such as smart panels and virtual power plants — to defer expensive capital investments.

By integrating advanced technologies into existing planning cycles, utilities can manage peak conditions more efficiently. Ultimately, the industry’s success depends on institutional alignment and regulatory frameworks that reward smarter operations. Building customer trust and integrated data systems will define the future of a resilient, affordable, and future-ready grid.

 Read full story at Factor This…

Utilities Study How to Protect Grids From Rising Physical Threats

by  Julia Tilton

Drone strikes lead a host of ways to disrupt electricity

Summary

In a fictional scenario during the 2026 World Chalice Games in Beryllia, a severe heat wave strained the power grid before coordinated physical attacks—including vandalism, drones, and ballistic strikes by adversary Crimsonia—crippled infrastructure. This exercise, GridEx VII hosted by E-ISAC from November 18–20, 2025, drew record participation of over 28,000 players from utilities and government partners, the highest since 2011.

Physical threats to North American grids are rising sharply, with NERC reporting over 3,500 incidents in 2025 (up from 2,800 in 2023), some causing outages. Global examples include arson attacks in Germany causing multi-day blackouts. U.S. incidents range from bombings and drone plots to white supremacist schemes targeting substations.

Emerging defenses include sensor fusion for drone detection, AI-enhanced robotics for perimeter monitoring, and fiber-optic sensing from companies like Prisma Photonics to identify perturbations along cables. Organizers stress that true security comes from applying GridEx lessons to real-world operations ahead of major events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

 Read full story at IEEE Spectrum…