FCW Insider: April 16, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
OPM digs into the post-pandemic puzzle of remote work and locality pay
An Office of Personnel Management official said on Thursday that the office is looking into pay administration rules in terms of remote work as part of broader efforts to provide guidance for the long-term future of a more dispersed federal workforce.
USTRANSCOM prepares for third-party cyber compliance assessments
U.S. Transportation Command is preparing a proof of principle for a cyber compliance program in preparation for broad adoption of CMMC.
White House sanctions Russia over SolarWinds campaign, election interference
The White House today announced a sanctions package targeting the Kremlin, Russian technology companies and financial institutions for hacking and misinformation efforts.
Quick Hits
*** President Joe Biden on Thursday afternoon said he could have implemented other more severe sanctions but refrained to make sure the White House's response was proportional. He also re-iterated calls that his administration is seeking a "stable and predictable" relationship with Russia.
Following his remarks, a reporter asked Biden if Vladamir Putin had given any indications that he would change his behavior.
"We indicated we would talk it about," Biden said, adding that he told the Russian president on several occasions "that if it had turned out that he was engaged in the activities that he had been accused of in cybersecurity and SolarWinds and interfering in our elections, that I would respond in kind. I urged him to respond appropriately, not to exceed it, because we can move as well."
*** David Bennett, the Defense Information Systems Agency's director of business operations, is expected to retire April 28 after 23 years of service to the agency. Throughout his career, Bennett has held several positions including leadership positions during his tenure, including program executive officer for the Global Information Grid Enterprise Services, CIO, and as the head of DISA's Enterprise Information Services.
*** Artificial intelligence leaders from the Defense Innovation Unit, General Services Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology and Department of Agriculture will present at FCW's April 21 AI Workshop. See the full agenda and register here.