Tag Archives: CA

Building Blockchain in Government

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Use of blockchain is steadily rising across government as a secure, transparent, and cost-effective way to track the movement of goods, services, and data. From 2020 to 2023, government spending on blockchain more than doubled. In fact, spending may be even higher as blockchain may be used as part of other solutions, like the cloud, so spending on it is buried in larger technology procurements. Additionally, more and more procurements are specifying the need for blockchain expertise.

Blockchain in Government Today

Blockchain is being used to meet a wide variety of key government challenges, from combating fraud to reducing spending waste to improving the transparency of government services. The IRS is using blockchain data analytics to track down transactions and confirm their legitimacy. The Air Force is looking at it as a key component to drive predictive maintenance. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is exploring how blockchain can secure systems against quantum computing threats to modern encryption. Continue reading →

Building a Resilient Supply Chain Domestically and Globally

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While the supply chain issues of the pandemic (remember the lengths we went to, to get toilet paper?) may seem like ancient history, the fragility of global supply chains remains a reality that our government needs to address for long-term economic stability. The Biden Administration has issued a number of orders and goals around shoring up supply chain practices for physical goods as well as software. In June, a new executive order formalized the role of a White House counsel on supply chain resilience.

Defining Resilience

A resilient supply chain is defined as one that can "easily adapt, rebound, or recover when faced with economic shocks." Creating a resilient environment requires boosting domestic manufacturing, supporting research and development, fostering innovation, strengthening critical infrastructure, and recruiting high-quality talent. The White House Council on Supply Chain was first convened in November 2023 to discuss these very measures, and this latest order has specific action items to deliver before the end of 2024. Continue reading →

Strengthening Internet of Things Security at the Federal, Local, and Consumer Level

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"Our world is more connected than ever." This phrase can be interpreted in many ways, one being the growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Traditional materials and devices, including bridges, streetlights, water processing machines, home refrigerators, and even our doorbells, are now connected to the internet and to users who need to track how they are functioning. However, this cyber connection also means that these devices are open for others to access and use in ways we never envisioned.

Cybersecurity practices must now extend to non-cyber products to ensure that operational technology does not compromise information technology or the networks that connect them. In fact, 1.5 billion attacks were launched against IoT devices in a single year.

Efforts to secure IoT devices must happen across all levels of users, from the federal government through state and local agencies to even citizen consumers. Continue reading →

Climate Disasters Have Unequal Effects in Communities

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Severe weather events are on the rise. In fact, the U.S. set a new record for billion-dollar climate disasters in 2023. Extreme weather events do not discriminate. Hurricanes, fires, and tornadoes hit wealthy and poor areas equally. However, the recovery in those areas is not as equitable.

Realizing the Power of Power

A study found that low-income communities had to wait longer for power to be restored following hurricanes. The study found that a "1-decile drop in socioeconomic status in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's social vulnerability index was associated with a 6.1% longer outage on average." Continue reading →