FCW Insider: March 22, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
VA announces 'strategic review' of $16B software program
New Veterans Affairs chief Denis McDonough announced a "strategic review" of the agency's Electronic Health Record Modernization program of up to 12 weeks.
Agency hacks could accelerate push to zero trust security model
Chris DeRusha, the federal chief information security officer, said agencies largely have the tools they need to adopt zero trust security protocols but making a change will "require a shift in mindset."
Comment: An ambitious cybersecurity strategy is just a starting point
With funding and the help of top experts, the Biden administration can make tangible progress toward modernization, but much work remains to be done.
Quick Hits
*** Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is the Biden administration's choice to lead NASA. First as a member of the House of Representatives, then as a senator, Nelson was a leader on NASA authorizing committees and was a major contributor to space and science legislation, according to a White House announcement.
*** The Department of Defense is preparing for 5G-based telemedicine experiments with technologies such as augmented reality and robotic surgery. GCN has more on this story.
*** The Government Accountability Office dinged DOD's F-35 joint strike fighter program for repeated schedule lapses when it comes to hardware and software modernization in a report released March 18.