Since 2023, we have seen an explosion in the number of state data privacy laws, demonstrating a clear focus amongst state governments in data privacy. In fact, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “at least 40 states and Puerto Rico introduced or considered at least 350 consumer privacy bills in 2023.” These data privacy laws create protections for a range of several types of data, from general consumer data protections to specific protections for health data and minor data.

If you have been confused lately seeing multiple March dates with some mention of the federal budget tied to them, you are not crazy. There are in fact multiple budgets floating out there in the ether: some finalized versions for certain agencies, others still awaiting that vote and presidential approval for fiscal year 2024 (FY24), as well as a wholly new request for funding from the President for FY25 priorities. We will catch you up as succinctly as possible, and if FY24 sounds too confusing, read on to hear what’s catching attention across IT for FY25.

The 2024 United States presidential election is rapidly approaching, and state and local governments are focusing their efforts on bolstering election security and ensuring the proper safeguards are in place.

Originally passed in 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was designed to improve the management of all-things-IT across federal agencies. It essentially realigned how the government purchases and updates its technology, with an aim at grading agencies based on their ability to adhere to and improve on the following categories:

The start of a new year often brings uncertainties; but in 2024 one thing is for certain—artificial intelligence (AI) is top of mind nationwide and is expected to have a transformational impact on our society both now and in the future.

The year 2024 is just around the corner, and with a new year typically comes new priorities. However, some things, like digital government, are here to stay. Improving the Citizen Experience will continue to be a top priority both now and, in the future, as the modern world emphasizes the importance of personalized services that provide agility, accountability, transparency, equity, efficiency, adaptability.

Prioritizing Citizen Experience

We’re still in the first quarter of the fiscal year and headed toward the holiday season. Historically, that predicates a slower pace across the federal sector, but not this year. This year, artificial intelligence (AI) is having a moment, and nearly everyone across the public sector, including the White House and The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has something to say about it.

Modernizing the defense healthcare system has never been more front and center for Defense Health Agency (DHA), the Department of Defense's (DOD) primary arm that manages all things healthcare for military service members and their beneficiaries. With acts of war and terrorism arising from overseas and the possibility of having our troops involved in future conflicts, patient healthcare and service preparedness are top priorities for the agency. So, the DHA is looking to work across federal agencies and industry to strengthen its healthcare systems.

Numerous reports by various organizations, including the Government Accountability Office, have consistently found insufficiencies in state unemployment insurance programs. These insufficiencies were laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic when increased need for such services, combined with an increase in fraudulent activity targeting unemployment insurance programs, overtaxed states’ unemployment insurance systems.