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The Silicon Hill

@thesiliconhill.bsky.social
163 followers 86 following 8 posts

A curated collection of news and opinions on DC's startup ecosystem, #DCtech, and all things technology-related affecting the DC metro area. Connect > about.me/TheSiliconHill

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Reposted by The Silicon Hill
Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 02/06/2025
New: Trump's proposed CISA budget would cut $425M and >1,000 positions, w/ deep cuts to partner engagement & risk analysis. Cuts would affect vuln assessments, shared services, trainings, election security, intl affairs, & more. My story w/ full details: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-tr...
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
What it takes to build an innovation ecosystem, according to top mid-Atlantic organizers technical.ly/professional...
technical.ly
What it takes to build an innovation ecosystem, according to top mid-Atlantic organizers
A survey of 80 leaders on Technical.ly’s 2025 RealLIST Connectors reveals education trends, a focus on leadership — and the shared value of kindness.
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Alt18F @alt18f.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
"While Musk celebrated his first cuts, DOGE began going after entire offices and agencies it viewed as politically progressive or opposed to its goals. The GSA’s 18F office ... was one of the first targets."
theguardian.com
Move fast and destroy things: 100 chaotic days of Elon Musk in the White House
From mass firings to unprecedented influence, Musk has left little of the federal government untouched in Doge role
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Martin Matishak @martinmatishak.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Donald Trump’s pick to be the Defense Department’s next digital policy chief on Tuesday said she would reassess policies for offensive cyber operations to ensure DOD is keeping pace with the “exponential” changes to the domain. On @therecordmedia.bsky.social therecord.media/dod-cyber-po...
therecord.media
DOD cyber policy nominee vows to ‘revaluate’ offensive cyber guardrails
Katie Sutton, nominated to serve as assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, told lawmakers that the U.S. needs to be able to effectively respond to cyberattacks.
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 06/05/2025
As CISA's Stakeholder Engagement Division braces for big cuts, an official in SED says more than 60 employees are resigning, including >50% of those who work on international partnerships (one of the offices Trump's budget would cut). www.linkedin.com/posts/gregor... (h/t @samsabin.bsky.social )
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 06/05/2025
Scoop: NIST's Computer Security Division — responsible for research & standards on cyber, privacy, cryptography, AI, etc. — has lost more than a dozen people, including its chief, to early retirements. www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/nist-cy... The departures could imperil key work.
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Data center leaders sound the alarm on energy concerns — and a better public narrative  technical.ly/civic-news/d...
technical.ly
Data center leaders sound the alarm on energy concerns — and a better public narrative 
The Data Center World global conference highlighted the views of local figureheads from Northern Virginia, a crucial region for relevant infrastructure.
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
RealLIST Connectors 2025: Meet 20 innovation trailblazers helping DC thrive technical.ly/professional...
technical.ly
RealLIST Connectors 2025: Meet 20 innovation trailblazers helping DC thrive
These meetup hosts, accelerator managers and conference organizers fuel the engine behind the region’s tech and startup scene.
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Martin Matishak @martinmatishak.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
President Donald Trump has nominated Kirsten Davies, an industry veteran who has held top cyber roles at companies including Unilever and ​​Estée Lauder, to fill the Pentagon’s top tech post. On @therecordmedia.bsky.social therecord.media/trump-picks-...
therecord.media
Trump picks private sector veteran for Pentagon CIO
Nominee Kirsten Davies was most recently the chief information security officer at Unilever — a role she previously held at Estee Lauder Companies.
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Alt18F @alt18f.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
18F was eliminated outright, so we aren’t in a position to ask ourselves #whywestay. But many of our colleagues and project partners are—and in the face of chaos, they’re still doing everything they can to serve the American people. To all our fellow public servants, #weseeyou.
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jon greig @jgreig.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem backed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act at the RSA Conference on Tuesday after "candid" conversations with cyber leaders therecord.media/kristi-noem-...
therecord.media
Noem calls for reauthorization of cyberthreat information sharing law during RSA keynote
Noem also defended reducing the size of CISA, postponing the creation of a new headquarters for the agency and making other funding cuts or program changes at the organization.
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Baltimore hits $90.9M in VC activity to start 2025  technical.ly/startups/bal...
technical.ly
Baltimore hits $90.9M in VC activity to start 2025 
Despite the turmoil caused by the Trump administration, one investor urges venture capitalists and limited partners to double down and give cash to early-stage startups.
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 23/04/2025
The Trump admin's State Dept reorg envisions downgrading the cyber bureau and creating a new bureau with similar responsibilities. Experts say the proposed changes could weaken U.S. cyber diplomacy. www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/state-d...
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Bill Sheridan @billsheridan.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
The tech tax runs counter to Gov. Wes Moore’s priorities to make Maryland more business friendly and specifically to grow the cybersecurity industry here, which has been fostered by presence of the U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade.
marylandreporter.com
New tech tax targets an industry Maryland wants to grow - MarylandReporter.com
The following column appears in the May issue of The Business Monthly, serving Howard and Anne Arundel counties. I got a phone call from an old friend in the tech industry a week before the legislatur...
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 25/04/2025
Former CISA Director Jen Easterly rebukes corporate cyber leaders for staying silent about Trump's actions in their realm: "Some moments in history demand character over calibration." Silence risks "diminishing the very institutions we are here to protect." www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-w...
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Robert K. Williams @rkwdc.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
I am so very glad that #GrantExec decided to join @refractioninc.bsky.social's ever-expanding startup community in NoVA! Curious about how GrantExec is simplifying the complex world of grant funding for founders and changemakers? Learn more here ➡️ grantexec.com/about #TheCenterOfInNOVAtion
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Inside the GBC/UpSurge merger: A new economic model is forming, and Baltimore is again a pioneer technical.ly/civic-news/g...
technical.ly
Inside the GBC/UpSurge merger: A new economic model is forming, and Baltimore is again a pioneer
The region has been a leader in shaping US economic development strategy for at least 100 years.
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Martin Matishak @martinmatishak.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) on Wednesday said it had received nearly 860,000 complaints in the last year and recorded a “staggering” $16.6 billion in losses to businesses and individuals. On @therecordmedia.bsky.social therecord.media/over-16-bill...
therecord.media
Over $16 billion in losses reported to FBI in 2024 tied to computer crime
The FBI's IC3 said it recorded a “staggering” $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses to businesses and individuals in 2024, the highest for both figures since the hub’s establishment in 2000.
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Suzanne Smalley @suzannesmalley.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
GOP FTC's Holyoak in Tuesday speech: Agency will not aggressively regulate AI. Under Chair Ferguson, FTC will "promote AI growth + innovation, not hamper it with misguided enforcement actions or excessive regulation," she said. A sharp departure from Khan's approach therecord.media/ftc-ai-priva...
therecord.media
FTC’s Holyoak says agency will avoid ‘excessive regulation’ of AI companies
Melissa Holyoak, a Republican member of the Federal Trade Commission, says the agency "will promote AI growth and innovation, not hamper it with misguided enforcement actions or excessive regulation."
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Refraction Innovation Hub @refractioninc.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
📢 In a career transition from a government or contracting role—or planning a near-term pivot? You are not alone. Join us today for #ResourceTuesdays at Refraction, a FREE coworking and career-support day. You still have time to register > refraction.one/resourcetues
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Lauren Feiner @laurenfeiner.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Some other major breaking antitrust news dropped while we're in the middle of day four of the Meta trial: www.theverge.com/news/650665/...
theverge.com
Google loses adtech monopoly case
A loss for Google.
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Robert K. Williams @rkwdc.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
In 2025, there is no such thing as a "slow news week" in DC — even during Spring Break ⬇️ #DCtech
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Cristiano Lima-Strong @viacristiano.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
The FTC and Meta agreed to make trial exhibits in their antitrust faceoff available to the public with a 2-day delay. Some of those are now live here in this hub: ftcvmeta.app.box.com/s/b8m39toze8...
ftcvmeta.app.box.com
Box
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 16/04/2025
@thekrebscycle.bsky.social is resigning from @sentinelone.com so he can fight the Trump administration's revenge campaign against him. "It’s a novel and expansive strategy they are taking on and it should concern everyone," Krebs told The Wall Street Journal. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
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John Skiles Skinner @skiles.blue · 16/04/2025
Pulling the plug on one of the crown jewels of civic tech after firing many of the people who made it. They never had a plan to keep it.
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Alt18F @alt18f.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
"For those continuing this work worldwide, know that your efforts matter beyond the boundaries of any single institution. The path isn’t linear, but the direction is clear." —@hillaryh.bsky.social
medium.com
Digital service resilience
What endures when government innovation units close
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Marcelle @marcelle.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
I enjoyed speaking at Data Center World yesterday, presenting at industry conferences that aren't cybersecurity-focused is so rewarding. There is such a huge need for education. Together, we can make our digital world safer! 💻🔒 #DataCenterWorld schedule.datacenterworld.com/session/secu...
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Reposted by The Silicon Hill
Cristiano Lima-Strong @viacristiano.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
The number of tech stories stemming from bad redactions this past year alone is kind of mind-boggling www.theverge.com/news/649834/...
theverge.com
Google, Apple, and Snap aren’t happy about Meta’s poorly-redacted slides
Lawyers called them “egregious” disclosures.
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Robert K. Williams @rkwdc.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Are you a Northern Virginia-based tech startup founder or innovator who would be interested in a free monthly demo and networking opportunity? If so, DM me or my team at @thesiliconhill.bsky.social. We are organizing a #NoVA-wide gathering to showcase #NoVAtech innovation — coming soon!
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 16/04/2025
The Trump admin revoked cyber officials' permission to attend a natsec conference at Vanderbilt last week, according to hacker luminary Jeff Moss. "The less they engage the more worried I become," Moss said. "They can’t just sit back and remote-control this." www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
bloomberg.com
Ex-NSA Chief Wishes He'd Appealed to DEFCON Hacker Crowd
Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world
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Business Insider @businessinsider.com · 28/03/2025
Washington, DC is now hosting Big Tech billionaires and Silicon Valley elites. It could be a boon for the district's startup scene.
businessinsider.com
Tech has a new power base in DC
Washington, DC is now hosting Big Tech billionaires and Silicon Valley elites. It could be a boon for the district's startup scene.
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Joe Weisenthal @weisenthal.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
THE LAST TIME INVESTORS WENT CRAZY FOR TECH INFRASTRUCTURE We spoke with Blair Levin, former Chief of Staff at the FCC, and Wall Street analyst, about what really happened in the telecom bubble. Our last of our live episodes from DC podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
The Last Time Investors Really Got Excited For Tech Infrastructure
Podcast Episode · Odd Lots · 03/28/2025 · 28m
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technicallynews.bsky.social @technicallynews.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
DC introduces tech to prevent school vans from speeding
technical.ly
DC introduces tech to prevent school vans from speeding  
The city is piloting the “intelligent” speed limit devices after missing a self-imposed goal to eliminate traffic deaths.
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Reposted by The Silicon Hill
Robert K. Williams @rkwdc.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Impressive? Yes, but ... I must admit that I am conflicted when I can create animated sequences in a matter of seconds that would have taken skilled artists hours—or even days—to complete in the past. #GimmeGimmeGhibli
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 28/03/2025
Pretty muted statement from election technology vendors on Trump's EO attempting to (among other things) dictate the equipment certification process. "[O]ur membership is well-positioned to support informed decision-making and practical solutions..." bit.ly/4iLJLmr
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Alt18F @alt18f.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
“If you weren't worried about a whole bunch of people not getting benefits or getting the wrong benefits, or getting the wrong entitlements, or having to wait ages, then sure, go ahead."
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Brian Fung @brianfung.me · 28/03/2025
A big thank-you to @megangray.bsky.social for joining today’s stream and walking us through the stakes of the FTC firings and what comes next. www.twitch.tv/videos/24177... Edited YouTube highlights to come!
twitch.tv
The future of the FTC, with guest Megan Gray - brainfungi on Twitch
brainfungi went live on Twitch. Catch up on their Escape from Tarkov VOD now.
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Craig Newmark @craignewmark.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
#CriticalEffectDC is committed to bridging the gap between tech & policy experts on issues of critical infrastructure. This is about protecting our water and power supplies, telecom, more... @ICS_Village & @IST_org host in DC June 12-13. Learn more: securityandtechnology.org/critical-eff...
securityandtechnology.org
Critical Effect DC 2025
8th annual industrial control systems security conference | Washington, DC
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WIRED @wired.com · 14/03/2025
In a new era where Trump and his allies control all three branches of government and tech companies bend to their will, the technology you choose to use may be your last line of defense against digital surveillance.
wrd.cm
The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance
Donald Trump has vowed to deport millions and jail his enemies. To carry out that agenda, his administration will exploit America’s digital surveillance machine. Here are some steps you can take to…
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Reposted by The Silicon Hill
AJ @amy-jo.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
“sell back tech skills to the government “ This is brilliant. Hahaha!
SHARK TANK TAKES DC: 

Billionaire business mogul
MARK CUBAN wants to fill the void left by DOGE's slash-and-burn cuts to the federal workforce, our DANNY NGUYEN reports. And if he trolls Musk along the way, so be it. 

Cuban is accepting business pitches from federal staffers - former and current - to fill the tech gaps that the government will need after the workforce layoffs.

The goal? To support new companies that would sell back tech skills to the government that the U.S. Digital Service
- and a small tech-focused department called 18F - offered.

• "I think it's possible to out-Elon, Elon, because the people he will bring in don't know what they don't know," said Cuban, a longtime critic of Trump.
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 14/03/2025
“The fact that there’s retribution from the president … is kind of frightening,” a CISA employee told me of the election security purge. “A very nefarious place to be.” Go inside CISA as it handles Trump's cuts and changes, in my new story...
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 14/03/2025
The federal CIO told agencies to consider the natsec importance of cyber workers when developing layoff plans: reut.rs/427wUoG "We are confident federal agencies will be able to identify efficiencies across their non-cyber mission areas without negatively affecting their agency's cyber posture."
reut.rs
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Robert K. Williams @rkwdc.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Many of us in DC know someone who has spent years in a government or contracting role and now finds themselves wondering: What's next? If that is you—or someone you know—Refraction's Resource Tuesdays offer free, local career support in Northern Virginia ⬇️ #DCtech #NoVAtech
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Eric Geller @ericjgeller.com · 07/03/2025
House Homeland Rs want to know if Trump's TSA intends to maintain the Biden administration's regulatory approach to cybersecurity in the sectors it oversees (rail, aviation, pipeline): bit.ly/4ivTcpt Also Qs on supply chain, industry consultations, plan for multiple simultaneous attacks, and more.
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Dewey Murdick @deweyam.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
U.S. AI firms, take note! An op-ed by @sambresnick.bsky.social and @colemcfaul.bsky.social in @barrons.com argues that China's "good enough" AI strategy (think DeepSeek) could disrupt the market. It's about affordable tech. Huawei playbook 2.0? Open-source Chinese models are closing the gap, fast.
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Patrick Kigongo @kigongo.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Here's some of the @alt18f.bsky.social projects that were halted when our entire agency was dissolved last Friday night: - Continuing work on IRS Direct File - Helping military service members and Americans overseas to vote - Modernizing weather (dot) gov 18f.org/project
18f.org
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makena kelly @makenakelly.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Here's what we lose when teams like USDS and 18F are suddenly deleted. New from me: www.wired.com/story/doge-m...
wired.com
DOGE Is Putting Major Government Efficiency Projects at Risk
In its apparent quest to cut government spending and improve efficiency, DOGE has fired entire tech teams devoted to those very things.
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AI Now Institute @ainowinstitute.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Musk’s DOGE team wants to automate the federal gov, but history shows AI-led cuts end in disaster. Former AI Now fellow @benzevgreen.bsky.social explains why this experiment will gut essential services & become another case study in AI gone wrong. www.techpolicy.press/doge-plan-to...
techpolicy.press
DOGE Plan to Push AI Across the US Federal Government is Wildly Dangerous | TechPolicy.Press
There are already many instances of AI-driven governance gone wrong, writes Ben Green. DOGE may offer a new case study.
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Brian Fung @brianfung.me · 07/03/2025
Is Trump about to funnel billions to Elon Musk's Starlink? Going live now to talk about a big change to broadband funding that could affect millions of Americans: twitch.tv/BrainFungi
twitch.tv
Twitch
Twitch is the world
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Brian Fung @brianfung.me · 04/03/2025
Here's a small slice of what 18F did to make government more efficient for the American people. From Monday's BrainFungi Twitch stream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ruk...
youtube.com
Trump kills off an actual government-efficiency strike team
YouTube video by BrainFungi
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