FCW Insider: Dec. 4

How COVID-19 accelerated IT modernization

As previous IT investments proved their worth in 2020, the pandemic is prompting agencies to accelerate their modernization efforts.

CISA doesn't plan to tackle COVID vaccine disinformation

CISA’s acting director Brandon Wales said his agency is not the right source to counter anticipated disinformation about coronavirus vaccines.

How dozens of Trump's political appointees will stay in government after Biden takes over

The number of hires sought under Trump is so far roughly similar to the tally of other recent administrations, but the types of positions being converted are more political than in the past.

COVID prompts USCIS' pivot to video

Social distancing requirements under the pandemic led to the acceleration of a modernization plan that included adding video feeds to the asylum interview process.

Quick Hits

*** The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision recommended by the Cyber Solarium Commission to establish a National Cyber Director position inside the White House.

*** An alert from US-CERT warns of advanced persistent threat activity aimed at think tanks, especially those focused on international relations and national security policy. "Given the importance that think tanks can have in shaping U.S. policy, CISA and FBI urge individuals and organizations in the international affairs and national security sectors to immediately adopt a heightened state of awareness and implement the critical steps listed in the Mitigations section of this advisory," the alert states.

*** A bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to make the payroll tax holiday for federal employees optional failed to pass via unanimous consent on Dec. 3. Van Hollen and others are concerned about the tax bills that will face federal employees in 2021 as a result of a temporary reprieve from social security taxes which was designed as economic stimulus.