GovTech News and Headlines

Pentagon Shifts to Data-Centric Security to Boost Resilience
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Pentagon Shifts to Data-Centric Security to Boost Resilience

The Pentagon is moving from network‑centric to data‑centric security, embedding zero‑trust principles across the Navy and Marine Corps. Initiatives such as Project Dynamis and the Operation Cattle Drive effort aim to accelerate secure data sharing, reduce technical debt, and modernize...

By GovernmentCIO Media & Research
UK Guidance on Digital ID for AML Compliance Answers and Raises Questions
NewsFeb 27, 2026

UK Guidance on Digital ID for AML Compliance Answers and Raises Questions

The UK Treasury and OfDIA issued guidance linking the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF) to anti‑money‑laundering (AML) obligations, stating that certified digital verification services (DVS) satisfy Regulation 28 customer‑due‑diligence (CDD) requirements. Regulated firms must still retain record‑keeping duties...

By Biometric Update
Samsung Updates ACR Privacy Practices After Texas Sues TV Manufacturers
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Samsung Updates ACR Privacy Practices After Texas Sues TV Manufacturers

Samsung has agreed to stop collecting and processing Automated Content Recognition (ACR) viewing data on its smart TVs in Texas unless consumers give explicit consent, resolving the state’s lawsuit filed in December. The company will roll out clear disclosure and...

By The Record by Recorded Future
Europe Formalizes Concerns About GenAI-Enabled Nonconsensual Deepfakes
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Europe Formalizes Concerns About GenAI-Enabled Nonconsensual Deepfakes

European regulators have escalated concerns over AI‑generated non‑consensual deepfakes, issuing a joint statement through the European Data Protection Board that cites 61 authorities worldwide. The statement targets platforms that embed generative image models, highlighting the surge of child‑focused sexual exploitation...

By Biometric Update
London Testing Facial Recognition App for Police as Another False Match Surfaces
NewsFeb 27, 2026

London Testing Facial Recognition App for Police as Another False Match Surfaces

London’s Metropolitan Police will pilot an operator‑initiated facial‑recognition (OIFR) mobile app, powered by NEC’s NeoFace, with 100 officers over six months. The technology promises on‑the‑spot identity checks, avoiding arrests for station‑based verification. At the same time, a series of false‑match...

By Biometric Update
Wyden Blocks Nominee to Lead NSA and Cyber Command
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Wyden Blocks Nominee to Lead NSA and Cyber Command

Senator Ron Wyden has blocked Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s nomination to lead the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, citing insufficient experience for the urgent cyber threat landscape. Meanwhile, the Army is piloting AI to speed doctrine writing, the Ninth Circuit...

By Federal News Network
US Army Renews Clearview AI Facial Recognition Contract for Special Operations
NewsFeb 27, 2026

US Army Renews Clearview AI Facial Recognition Contract for Special Operations

The U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Command has awarded Clearview AI a new contract to extend its facial‑recognition software subscription from March 2026 through March 2027, with options to continue until 2030. The agreement covers five software licenses and maintains...

By Biometric Update
Multitude Insights Raises $10M Series A Police Intel Platform
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Multitude Insights Raises $10M Series A Police Intel Platform

Multitude Insights announced a $10 million Series A round, led by Primary Venture Partners and joined by several other investors. The funding will accelerate deployment of its AI‑powered BLTN platform, a secure system for creating, sharing, and analyzing police intelligence across jurisdictions....

By Just AI News
This Startup Is Moving Nigeria’s Land Records to the Blockchain
NewsFeb 27, 2026

This Startup Is Moving Nigeria’s Land Records to the Blockchain

Sytemap, formerly HouseAfrica, is building a blockchain‑based map directory that digitises private developers’ land records across Lagos and other Nigerian states. By geo‑referencing each plot with satellite imagery and recording allocations on an immutable ledger, the startup aims to eliminate...

By TechCabal
Rethinking How State and Local Cyber Teams Are Built and Supported
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Rethinking How State and Local Cyber Teams Are Built and Supported

State and local governments are confronting a wave of cyberattacks, with 86% of incidents causing operational disruption that impacts schools, hospitals and public services. Tight budgets, legacy systems and a fierce cyber‑talent shortage hinder effective response. Experts argue the focus...

By Route Fifty — Finance
How Boston Is Transforming Its Outdated 311 System
NewsFeb 27, 2026

How Boston Is Transforming Its Outdated 311 System

Boston is overhauling its legacy 311 non‑emergency service platform, replacing the 2008 CRM with a cloud‑based, low‑code solution from Creatio and implementation partner Keen360. The new system already tracks informational calls, which represent over half of request volume, and aims...

By InformationWeek
10 Million Calls: The Drone System Changing Policing
NewsFeb 27, 2026

10 Million Calls: The Drone System Changing Policing

Skydio’s Drone‑as‑First‑Responder (DFR) Command platform has processed over 10 million service calls, demonstrating that autonomous drones are now embedded in U.S. public‑safety workflows. The system pulls live 911, CAD, and sensor data directly into its Flight Deck, allowing operators to dispatch...

By DroneDJ
Counter-Fraud Function Delivers £7.5bn Savings Across Public Sector
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Counter-Fraud Function Delivers £7.5bn Savings Across Public Sector

Britain’s public‑sector counter‑fraud function reported £7.53 billion in savings for the 2024‑25 financial year, according to the Cabinet Office. The bulk of the recovery came from HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (£3.95 bn) and the Department for Work and Pensions (£2 bn). The savings...

By Civil Service World (UK)
NL: Hackers Had Access to Prison Staff Data for Five Months
NewsFeb 27, 2026

NL: Hackers Had Access to Prison Staff Data for Five Months

Hackers infiltrated the Dutch prisons agency DJI and accessed staff data for at least five months, according to a radio investigation by Argos. The compromised information includes employee email addresses, phone numbers and security certificates. The breach was uncovered after...

By DataBreaches.net
DSIT Signs £4.5m Deal to Access ‘Niche or Emergent’ AI Suppliers
NewsFeb 27, 2026

DSIT Signs £4.5m Deal to Access ‘Niche or Emergent’ AI Suppliers

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has signed a one‑year, £4.5 million contract with Capgemini to act as its AI services delivery partner. The deal will give the AI Security Institute and other DSIT teams access to research,...

By PublicTechnology.net (UK)
Nigeria: 'Digitisation of Mining License Attracting Investors Into Sector'
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Nigeria: 'Digitisation of Mining License Attracting Investors Into Sector'

Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office has completed the digitisation and validation of its mining licence registry, making the country the 11th African nation to achieve this milestone. The move, announced by Director‑General Obadiah Simon Nkom at an African Minerals Development Centre...

By AllAfrica – Mining
Republic of Korea Commits to Vertiports, UAM Infrastructure by 2028
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Republic of Korea Commits to Vertiports, UAM Infrastructure by 2028

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport unveiled a roadmap to accelerate urban air mobility, pledging commercial public‑service UAM operations by 2028 and private‑sector services by 2030. The plan includes establishing safety frameworks, aircraft certification, and cybersecurity by 2027,...

By Urban Air Mobility News
SAIC Awarded $95M GAO IT Modernization Contract
NewsFeb 27, 2026

SAIC Awarded $95M GAO IT Modernization Contract

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to overhaul its Technical Information Services IT environment. The agreement calls for end‑to‑end services that modernize applications, platforms, and operating models while embedding security, automation,...

By Homeland Security Today (HSToday)
Hybrid Working: GPA Helping Departments to Meet 60% Mandate
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Hybrid Working: GPA Helping Departments to Meet 60% Mandate

The Department of Business and Trade released the government’s response to the House of Lords Home‑based Working Committee’s report on the civil service’s 60 % office‑attendance mandate. It argues the rule strikes the best balance for most employees while acknowledging that...

By Civil Service World (UK)
Greece: Real-Time Satellite Train Tracking System Goes Live on railway.gov.gr
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Greece: Real-Time Satellite Train Tracking System Goes Live on railway.gov.gr

Greece launched a high‑precision, satellite‑based train‑tracking platform on railway.gov.gr on 26 February 2026, initially covering the Athens‑Thessaloniki corridor and expanding to the full network by the end of April. The system combines HEPOS and European Galileo satellites to deliver centimetre‑level accuracy,...

By RailTech.com
2026 National Homeland Security Conference Opens Call for Presentations
NewsFeb 27, 2026

2026 National Homeland Security Conference Opens Call for Presentations

The National Homeland Security Association (NHSA) announced a call for presentations for its 2026 National Homeland Security Conference, set for August 10‑13 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event expects more than 1,000 attendees from federal, state, local, military, and private‑sector backgrounds....

By Homeland Security Today (HSToday)
DisasterSmiths Podcast Examines What Happens After Communities Receive Disaster Recovery Funding
NewsFeb 27, 2026

DisasterSmiths Podcast Examines What Happens After Communities Receive Disaster Recovery Funding

The DisasterSmiths™ podcast released a new episode titled “From Allocation to Action: What Comes Next?” focusing on the practical steps communities take after receiving federal disaster recovery funding. Hosted by IEM Unscripted, the show features Chuck Lane, Director of Disaster...

By Homeland Security Today (HSToday)
Parly Committee Backs Payroll Reform Measures
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Parly Committee Backs Payroll Reform Measures

South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service endorsed Treasury’s allocation to modernise the government payroll system and launch a national e‑government procurement platform. The move follows a ghost‑worker audit that has flagged 4,323 high‑risk cases of fraudulent payroll entries...

By ITWeb (South Africa) – Public Sector
South Yorkshire ICB Launches Digital Transformation, Cyber, and Digital Workforce Strategies
NewsFeb 27, 2026

South Yorkshire ICB Launches Digital Transformation, Cyber, and Digital Workforce Strategies

South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) unveiled three coordinated strategies—digital transformation to 2027, a cyber resilience plan, and a digital workforce and skills programme. The digital roadmap emphasizes AI governance, a system‑wide AI and automation forum, and mandatory participation in...

By HTN – Health Tech Newspaper (UK)
DBT Creates Specialist Hub for Microsoft Tools
NewsFeb 27, 2026

DBT Creates Specialist Hub for Microsoft Tools

The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a Microsoft Learning Hub on its SharePoint site to promote built‑in accessibility tools in Microsoft 365. The hub aggregates resources for Windows and Mac users, highlighting features such as Sign Language...

By UKAuthority (UK)
How San Jose Got Buses to Run Faster
NewsFeb 27, 2026

How San Jose Got Buses to Run Faster

San Jose rolled out LYT.speed, an AI‑driven traffic signal prioritization system, after a 2023 pilot halved red‑light wait times on two bus routes. The citywide deployment has cut bus travel times by roughly 20%, using existing bus transponders to predict...

By Governing — Finance
Exclusive! Visibility That Pays: Unlocking the Full Value of Cloud Investment
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Exclusive! Visibility That Pays: Unlocking the Full Value of Cloud Investment

Leaders at the OpenGov Breakfast in Singapore warned that cloud migration alone fails to deliver value without end‑to‑end observability. They emphasized that real‑time visibility across infrastructure, data pipelines, and workflows enables proactive, insight‑driven decisions, reduces risk, and fuels trustworthy AI...

By OpenGov Asia
Policy Innovation for Public Good & the 2026 International OpenFisca Conference
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Policy Innovation for Public Good & the 2026 International OpenFisca Conference

The OpenFisca Association is hosting the Policy Innovation for Public Good event in Canberra on March 30, 2026, followed by the 2026 International OpenFisca Conference. The gathering aims to rethink policymaking through cross‑disciplinary collaboration, focusing on adaptive, humane, and scalable...

By The Mandarin (Australia)
Navy CTO: Innovation Adoption Kit Breaks the ‘Valley of Death’
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Navy CTO: Innovation Adoption Kit Breaks the ‘Valley of Death’

The Navy’s Innovation Adoption Kit (IAK) is a new framework that fast‑tracks emerging technologies by using measurable metrics and structured pilot programs. Launched in October, the kit provides a standardized vendor template and a clear path from pilot to production,...

By GovernmentCIO Media & Research
HMRC Making Tax Digital: Government to Monitor Impact on Childminders as Ministers Acknowledge ‘Strength of Feeling’
NewsFeb 27, 2026

HMRC Making Tax Digital: Government to Monitor Impact on Childminders as Ministers Acknowledge ‘Strength of Feeling’

The UK government is extending the Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme to home‑based childminders, eliminating the flat‑rate wear‑and‑tear allowance and requiring itemised expense claims. Ministers have pledged to monitor the impact, noting that only childminders earning over £50,000 will be...

By PublicTechnology.net (UK)
DoD Replaces Paper-Based Access Requests with Automated ICAM Workflow
NewsFeb 27, 2026

DoD Replaces Paper-Based Access Requests with Automated ICAM Workflow

The Department of Defense is phasing out the decades‑old DD Form 2875, replacing it with an automated Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM) workflow. The new system will provision, authorize, and revoke user access within hours, generate immutable audit logs,...

By Federal News Network
MDS and DFRS Cooperate to Drive Vision Zero
NewsFeb 27, 2026

MDS and DFRS Cooperate to Drive Vision Zero

Germany’s Mobility Data Space (MDS) and the pan‑European Data for Road Safety (DFRS) consortium have signed an agreement to exchange safety‑related traffic data from connected vehicles across the EU. The partnership enables near‑real‑time sharing of sensor‑derived incident information, supporting the...

By ITS International
‘Uncanny Valley’: Pentagon Vs. ‘Woke’ Anthropic, Agentic Vs. Mimetic, and Trump Vs. State of the Union
NewsFeb 26, 2026

‘Uncanny Valley’: Pentagon Vs. ‘Woke’ Anthropic, Agentic Vs. Mimetic, and Trump Vs. State of the Union

The latest *Uncanny Valley* episode spotlights a growing clash between AI startup Anthropic and the Pentagon over a $200 million defense contract that includes strict prohibitions on domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. The hosts also dissect the rise of “agentic” versus...

By WIRED
Vietnam: Building a Regulated Digital Asset Market: Vietnam
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Vietnam: Building a Regulated Digital Asset Market: Vietnam

Vietnam is set to launch its first pilot crypto‑asset exchange before 28 February 2026, following the government’s five‑year pilot programme and new licensing rules issued in January 2026. The Ministry of Finance’s detailed procedures codify market entry criteria, capital thresholds, and supervisory safeguards,...

By OpenGov Asia
India: Cybersecurity Guidelines to Safeguard Space Systems
NewsFeb 26, 2026

India: Cybersecurity Guidelines to Safeguard Space Systems

India has issued comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines for space systems, jointly crafted by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT‑In) and the Space and IT Association‑India (SIA‑India). The advisory framework targets satellite operators, ground‑station managers, manufacturers and emerging private space firms,...

By OpenGov Asia
Malaysia Leads ASEAN in Cross-Border Cloud Governance
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Malaysia Leads ASEAN in Cross-Border Cloud Governance

Malaysia, through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, has secured ASEAN endorsement for a Regional Framework on Cross‑Border Cloud Computing. The framework, unveiled at the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, introduces shared governance principles and "Trusted Data Corridors" to ensure secure...

By OpenGov Asia
The Philippines: Building a Responsible AI Workforce
NewsFeb 26, 2026

The Philippines: Building a Responsible AI Workforce

The Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DOST‑7) launched a four‑day AI training for about 30 government employees, covering prompt engineering, generative AI tools, and core ethical principles. The program emphasized responsible use, data privacy, and the “co‑intelligence”...

By OpenGov Asia
Nordic Council Tender Pursues Cross-Border Digital ID Verification with Baltics
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Nordic Council Tender Pursues Cross-Border Digital ID Verification with Baltics

The Nordic Council of Ministers has launched a 1.6 million Danish‑krone tender to study cross‑border digital identity verification across Nordic and Baltic nations, including the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. The analysis will identify legal, technical and organisational obstacles to automated...

By Biometric Update
Idemia PS Deal Brings Growing Number of US mDLs to Trinsic’s Digital Identity Network
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Idemia PS Deal Brings Growing Number of US mDLs to Trinsic’s Digital Identity Network

Trinsic has integrated Idemia Public Security’s mobile driver’s license (mDL) solution into its Digital Identity Acceptance Network, adding support for mDLs issued in New York, Arkansas, Iowa, West Virginia and Kentucky. Idemia, the leading U.S. provider of state‑backed mDLs, also serves three...

By Biometric Update
Project Compass Is Europol’s New Playbook for Taking on The Com
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Project Compass Is Europol’s New Playbook for Taking on The Com

Project Compass, a Europol‑led operation backed by 28 nations including the Five Eyes, began in January 2025 to dismantle the transnational youth‑focused cybercrime network known as The Com. Since its launch the initiative has secured 30 arrests, fully or partially...

By CyberScoop
Empowering Public Service: Frontline Readiness for a New Era of Modernization
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Empowering Public Service: Frontline Readiness for a New Era of Modernization

Federal social service agencies are gearing up for a digital‑first transformation, driven by an administration agenda that emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and stronger security. The inaugural Equifax Social Services Outlook Index shows 100% of frontline workers expect workplace efficiency to improve...

By Federal News Network
Milwaukee Cop’s Misuse of Flock ALPR Undercuts Case for Facial Recognition Use
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Milwaukee Cop’s Misuse of Flock ALPR Undercuts Case for Facial Recognition Use

Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) halted its facial‑recognition program while drafting usage policies after a scandal involving an officer who allegedly accessed the city’s Flock automated license‑plate recognition (ALPR) system over 120 times to track a personal acquaintance and 55 times...

By Biometric Update
Emergency Warning System Blowout
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Emergency Warning System Blowout

Australia’s new national emergency warning system, AusAlert, has seen its projected cost explode from an initial $10 million to an estimated $132 million. Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain framed the increase as an investment in community safety rather than a blowout. The system...

By Government News (Australia)
Wyden Blocks Rudd Confirmation to Lead Cyber Command, NSA
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Wyden Blocks Rudd Confirmation to Lead Cyber Command, NSA

Senator Ron Wyden announced he will block the Senate’s confirmation of Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd as head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Wyden argues Rudd lacks any digital‑warfare or signals‑intelligence background and gave vague answers on...

By The Record by Recorded Future
Language Accessibility Grows as a Priority for Public Safety Officials
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Language Accessibility Grows as a Priority for Public Safety Officials

Santa Clara County’s Sheriff’s Office has launched a year‑long pilot of Pocketalk’s translation platform, giving deputies on‑demand access to real‑time audio and text translation in English and 92 other languages. The tool runs on mobile devices similar to iPhones and...

By Route Fifty — Finance
Senate Moves One Step Closer to Passing Health Care Cyber Reforms
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Senate Moves One Step Closer to Passing Health Care Cyber Reforms

The Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee approved the bipartisan Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act by a 22‑1 vote, with only Sen. Rand Paul dissenting. The legislation obliges the Department of Health and Human Services to craft a cybersecurity...

By CyberScoop
FedRamp 20x Opens the Door to Fast Access to Secure Services
NewsFeb 26, 2026

FedRamp 20x Opens the Door to Fast Access to Secure Services

FedRAMP 20x redesigns the federal cloud‑security authorization process by eliminating the agency sponsor requirement and introducing a cloud‑native path that can deliver approvals in weeks instead of years. Automation replaces narrative controls with machine‑readable evidence, targeting over 80% validation through continuous‑monitoring...

By FedTech Magazine
Wake County Schools Weigh 'Whistleblower' Exception to Phone Policy
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Wake County Schools Weigh 'Whistleblower' Exception to Phone Policy

North Carolina law requires students to keep phones off during instructional time, but Wake County Schools are debating a "whistleblower" exemption that would let students record incidents such as bullying. The proposal aims to balance the need for safety documentation...

By GovTech — Education (K-12)
Mike Pezzullo Reflects on Action Following Major ANU Data Breach
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Mike Pezzullo Reflects on Action Following Major ANU Data Breach

Former public servant Mike Pezzullo addressed the Universities Australia Solutions Summit, reflecting on the 2019 cyber‑attack that compromised nearly 20 years of Australian National University (ANU) student and staff records. The breach, attributed to Chinese state‑linked threat actors, exposed bank...

By The Mandarin (Australia)