January, 2025

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Shadow AI: Shining Light on a Growing Security Threat

FedTech Magazine

Agencies need to confront the growing problem of shadow artificial intelligence through policy updates and the implementation of new security measures. Microsoft and LinkedIn found 78% of AI users bring their own tools to work, and 52% are reluctant to admit using it, according to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report. This is the reality of shadow AI: Many workers already use the technology covertly.

Security 127
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State and Local Governments Use the Shared Responsibility Model for Cyber Resilience

State Tech Magazine

Cyberattacks targeting state and local power grids, communication systems, transportation networks, and other critical U.S. infrastructure have risen dramatically in recent months. These attacks, frequently attributed to foreign threat actors from countries such as China or Iran, pose risks for state and local governments. Attacks range from ransomware and data breaches to more insidious cyber espionage, resulting in severe operational disruptions and substantial financial implications.

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LA’s Traffic Ordinance Went Into Effect 100 Years Ago. It Changed Streets Across America.

Next City

The Ordinance, which prioritized cars on the city’s roadways, quickly became the template for the country.

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Ten tests for nature strategy

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Companies that develop and implement effective management strategies for natural capital can secure lasting advantages through both enhanced resilience and access to nature-related opportunities.

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How Gilbert, AZ Prepares for the Future While Protecting What Makes It Great

A top-rated place to live, Gilbert, AZ struggled with outdated short-term rental management—low compliance, lost revenue, and growing administrative strain. By adopting the GovOS Tax & Compliance suite, the Town: Increased compliance from 40% to 90% Generated over $85K in new revenue Has a single digital system to manage tasks more efficiently With a centralized hub for short-term rental registration and enforcement, Gilbert balances tourism and community needs.

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Tech Trends: Cloud Solutions Can Accelerate Artificial Intelligence Adoption

State Tech Magazine

In a brief, West Virginia University notes, A 2022 mainframe failure disrupted West Virginians access to online government resources like health services and risked the states ability to perform basic functions like revenue collection. After the mainframe failure, West Virginia moved its workloads to a private cloud solution. Doing so sped the states IT modernization capabilities, the brief concludes.

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Enhance productivity with Amazon Bedrock Agents and Powertools for AWS Lambda

AWS Public Sector Blog

The public sector faces unique challenges that demand innovative solutions to improve productivity and service delivery. Large language models (LLMs) have shown great promise in various applications, but their true potential is unlocked when they can access real-time informationsuch as current data, time, weather, or breaking events. This capability is crucial for effective public sector planning and decision-making.

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When is a law not a law? And why does that matter to long-term care?  

Policy & Politics Journal blog

by Catherine Needham and Emily Burn When is a law not a law? When it gets passed into statute but never enacted. Lord Norton (a Conservative peer and expert on UK parliament) calls these cases law but not law.

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Episode 40: Behind the Scenes of Camp Management

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Shauna is out with the flu, so Kelie takes the lead and sits down with Dr. Chad Nelson to dive into the fascinating history and ever-changing industry of summer camp. They tackle the big questionis camp a real job?and share invaluable advice for current, veteran, and new camp managers and […] The post Episode 40: Behind the Scenes of Camp Management appeared first on Summer Camp Programming.

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Federal Agencies Are Poised to Become More Agile Thanks to Cloud

FedTech Magazine

Last year, the Office of Management and Budget released FedRAMP guidance intended to make it easier and faster for federal agencies to put cloud solutions to work. Since the establishment of FedRAMP in 2011, cloud solutions have exploded, and they continue to grow exponentially. In addition, cloud services open the door to emerging technologies for federal organizations, empowering them to quickly innovate and improve productivity.

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What the Rising Costs of AI Means for Government

State Tech Magazine

Despite some fatigue, artificial intelligence continues to grow into almost every product and service used by all levels of government. The possibilities are exciting, and a growing majority of public employees admit to using AI tools for enhanced productivity and to help them become more creative in how they communicate. They claim AI improves their writing by editing, shortening or expanding their reports.

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Municipal Maintenance Guide: Inspections

Get this municipal maintenance guide that provides municipalities with a detailed and structured approach to maintaining city infrastructure. This guide outlines systematic inspection procedures and best practices, ensuring the safety, longevity, and operational efficiency of municipal assets. From roadways and bridges to public buildings and utilities, the guide covers all aspects of municipal maintenance.

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Precise Software Solutions implements ML as a service on AWS to save time and money for federal agency

AWS Public Sector Blog

Precise Software Solutions, Inc. (Precise), an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner , participated in the AWS Think Big for Small Business Program (TBSB) to expand their AWS capabilities and to grow their business in the public sector. After completion of the program, Precise achieved Advanced tier partner status and was selected by a federal government agency to create a machine learning as a service (MLaaS) platform on AWS.

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As Congress Takes Office Today, Here’s How GAO Can Help Members Make Informed Decisions

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The 119th Congress is being sworn in today. Members of Congress will make decisions about issues that can have broad impacts on our country and the daily lives of Americans. GAO is a trusted source for fact-based, nonpartisan information that can.

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The UK’s quantum clock: Changing military precision and security

Open Access Government - Technology News

A new revolutionary quantum clock developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is expected to transform military operations by providing them with more precise timing This new technology is a big leap forward in reducing reliance on GPS, often vulnerable to jamming and disruption, particularly in conflict zones. The quantum clock is more accurate than ever before, it will lose less than one second over billions of year, providing a level of precision that will be

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Opportunities to Connect Urban Conservation and Vacant Land Stewardship

Center for Community Progress

In many communities, tackling vacant lots can feel like an impossible challenge. Local officials, land banks, and community organizations recognize the importance of finding effective strategies to maintain and repurpose vacant lots to meet community needs. According to the National Land Bank Networks 2023 State of Land Banking Survey, vacant lots account for 86 percent of all land bank properties and half of all survey respondents listed vacant land stewardship as one of their top priorities.

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Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

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4 Principles to Help Federal Agencies Adopt AI Ethically and Securely

FedTech Magazine

Federal civilian agencies understand that artificial intelligence will be increasingly useful in streamlining and automating complex workloads. They hope to use data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and address thorny problems. The Government Accountability Office reported that 20 of 23 agencies surveyed have about 1,200 current and planned AI cases specific challenges or opportunities that AI may solve.

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How Wi-Fi 7 Can Facilitate State and Local Government Operations

State Tech Magazine

Using the 6-gigahertz spectrum that the Federal Communications Commission has opened up for unlicensed use, Wi-Fi 7, the next generation of wireless technology, is primed to offer a nimble, consistent experience across networks and devices. While Wi-Fi 7 can operate on the previously accessible 2.4- and 5-GHz bands, it also works with the 6-GHz band, which wasnt available until after Wi-Fi 6s 2018 introduction.

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Amazon Bedrock launches with Claude 3.5 Sonnet in the AWS Top Secret cloud

AWS Public Sector Blog

Amazon Bedrock is now generally available in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Top Secret cloud. With authority to operate in the AWS Top Secret cloud , Amazon Bedrock is providing U.S. Government customers with secure access to foundation models (FMs) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities within AWSs classified environment. Amazon Bedrock enables customers to leverage generative AI capabilities while maintaining the highest levels of security and data protection required for thei

Security 130
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More Older Adults are Homeless—What Can Be Done to Help this Vulnerable Population with Unique Needs

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Homelessness in the U.S. reached a record high in 2024, according to a new annual point-in-time count released in December by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More than 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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The Changing Landscape of IT Distribution in the Public Sector: A Podcast with Art Richer

Government Technology Insider

From hardware-focused supply chains to cloud-based service models, the distribution landscape has undergone significant changes. Over the past decade, the role of IT in government operations has evolved significantly and public sector IT distribution has adapted to meet these new demands and complexities. In the latest episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast , host Lucas Hunsicker sat down with former public sector CEO, Art Richer.

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Government Efficiency and Its Unexpected Direct Impacts on Jobseekers

Careers in Government

Job seekers should stay informed and anticipate changes by monitoring policy discussions and budget proposals that affect federal hiring. The post Government Efficiency and Its Unexpected Direct Impacts on Jobseekers appeared first on Careers in Government.

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Making Community Meetings More Accessible in 2025 with Digital Engagement Tools 

Social Pinpoint

In 2015, I was inspired by the conversations happening at the ELGL (Engaging Local Government Leaders) Annual Conference, specifically the discussions around making local government more accessible. Though I couldnt attend in person, I followed the event closely on Twitter a space that, at the time, felt like a safe haven for open, thoughtful dialogue.

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As Mobile Threats Rise, Protecting Digital IDs Is Vital

State Tech Magazine

The adoption of mobile identification has proliferated nationwide over the past year, with numerous states implementing digital ID programs to improve citizen experience and streamline access to government services. Today, about 25 U.S. airports accept digital IDs in lieu of physical IDs, and over 15 states including California, Colorado, New York, Arizona, Maryland and Georgia have adopted digital IDs to make critical government services such as driver's licenses, TSA screenings, DMV services

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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Transforming government application systems using intelligent document processing on AWS

AWS Public Sector Blog

Government agencies handle vast volumes of bureaucratic documents daily, ranging from tax forms to medical records. This document-heavy workflow, often reliant on manual processing, can result in delays, errors, and increased operational inefficiencies, causing frustration among both employees and stakeholders. For example, incorrect data entry or misplaced documents can significantly slow down the approval of important applications, leading to citizen dissatisfaction and potential compliance is

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After Disaster Hits, Rural Communities Face Unique Challenges in Recovering

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

More than 60 million Americansabout 20% of the populationlive in rural communities. Over the last decade, these communities, just like more populated ones, have seen an increasing number of costly, severe weather and climate disasters. After.

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How to Balance Security and CX in Digital Identity Verification 

GovLoop

Agencies find themselves in a tough spot when providing online services that require identity verification. They must take every feasible measure to safeguard against the omnipresent risk of fraud, in compliance with an extensive and complex set of laws and policies. Such measures are inarguably necessary. But those efforts run the risk of creating a process in which people experience unnecessary delays and difficulties trying to access benefits and services online, said Jordan Burris, Vice Pres

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Finding the Sweet Spot for a Better Work Environment

Careers in Government

As a leader, its your job to nurture that environment by showing respect, providing validation, and giving your team the power to influence the workplace culture. The post Finding the Sweet Spot for a Better Work Environment appeared first on Careers in Government.

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2025 Business Owner Survey: Guide for Cities, Counties, and State Agencies

The 2025 Business Owner Survey delivers key insights for cities, counties, and state agencies working to enhance online services. Top insights: 97% of business owners say digital access to government services is essential. Licensing and tax processes remain outdated, slowing efficiency and increasing administrative burdens. Younger entrepreneurs expect fully online, self-service options, signaling a need for modernization.

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Displacing Black Time and Space in Philadelphia

Next City

Top-down urban planning and redevelopment doesn’t just disrupt maps and economies. Remaking Black communities like North Philly’s Sharswood also displaces residents’ very sense of time, Rasheedah Phillips writes in her new book.

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Advanced Security Cameras Give Cities New Ways to Deter Vandalism and Theft

State Tech Magazine

The prank sounds harmless enough: High school students wait until dark, pour soap into a public fountain and laugh as it fills up with bubbles. But when it happened 17 times in one year ruining several $30,000 pumps and requiring a two-day cleanup process each time city officials in Opelika, Ala., began searching for a tech solution to put an end to the hijinks.

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Enhancing resource sharing with AWS Outposts

AWS Public Sector Blog

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) service, AWS Outposts , is a game-changer for public sector organizations, offering a unique blend of cloud capabilities and on-premises control. It enables government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare providers to modernize their IT infrastructure while adhering to strict data sovereignty, security, and compliance requirements.

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Baby Formula’s Biggest Buyer Takes a Closer Look at Supplies and Shortages

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

You might not know this, but the federal government is the biggest buyer of baby formula in the United States. About 40% of all American babies get formula through a federal food assistance program for low-income mothers and childrenthe Supplemental.

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Municipal Maintenance: Ready, Set, Inspect!

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining municipal operations is no small task, especially when budgets are tight and public expectations are high. In this webinar, we’ll explore how local governments can streamline their maintenance operations while ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. What You’ll Gain: Proven strategies for effective inspection management Insight into leveraging digital tools Practical tips for addressing common maintenance challenges Examples of municipalities that have achieved success.