The first anniversary of the U.S. Digital Corps (USDC), a programme that hires early-career technologists into federal service to create a more effective, equitable government was commemorated by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
“From the Administration for Children and Families to the Department of State, we’re already hearing about how our first group is asking good questions and bringing new approaches to the table. We look forward to getting applications for our second cohort this fall so we can bring on even more early-career technologists who want to help government deliver for the American people,” says Robin Carnahan, GSA Administrator.
The USDC was introduced in August 2021 by the GSA’s Technology Transformation Services with partners from other federal departments and offices, including the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House Office of Management and Budget. It advances many of the outlined objectives, including pledges to expand and diversify the federal workforce and enhance the public’s interaction with the government.
The USDC is a fellowship for early-career professionals intended for the nation’s top technologists to work for the federal government. It intends to invest in the future digital workforce through learning and development that reflects the diversity of America.
For the first cohort, more than 1,000 applicants submitted their applications; 38 Fellows were chosen in June 2022. This cohort is currently engaged in high-impact projects in fields like equality, cybersecurity, immigration, and health at a dozen government agencies.
After one year of operation, USDC is preparing to find and engage the second cohort of Fellows to begin in summer 2023. Registration forms for the second class of U.S. Openings for Digital Corps Fellows will occur in October 2022.
Meanwhile, because of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA), the Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced its intention to launch a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on how to implement the cyber incident reporting requirements.
CIRCIA mandates that CISA create and release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) outlining proposed rules for the reporting of cyber incidents and ransom payments for public review and discussion. The agency will use the feedback received from the critical infrastructure community and other members of the public to help create the proposed regulations.
Timely cyber incident reporting enables CISA to identify emerging threats and trends, quickly share threat information with federal partners and network defenders to take protective action and warn other potential victims. It also enables CISA to quickly deploy resources and aid victims suffering from attacks.
The Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022, according to CISA Director Jen Easterly, is a game changer for the whole cybersecurity community and everyone. It will enable the nation to better understand the threats it faces, detect adversary campaigns earlier, and respond with more coordinated action with our public and private sector partners.
CISA recently announced that, in addition to providing the opportunity to submit written comments in response to the RFI, it will hold public listening sessions across the country to receive in-person input from the American people to inform the development of the proposed regulations.
The Department of Homeland Security also serves as the chair of the newly formed Cyber Incident Reporting Council, which was established by CIRCIA to better align the various federal cyber incident reporting structures. The Council’s work will inform, as appropriate, the new proposed rule.