FCW Insider: April 21, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
White House launches cybersecurity push targeting electricity sector
The pilot program to improve the cybersecurity of the nation's electricity infrastructure is part of a broader initiative focused on industrial control systems.
AFGE presses Congress to oppose pay and hiring flexibilities for NSF
The measure, which would expand the hiring authorities of the director of the National Science Foundation, "bears a striking resemblance" to Schedule F, said AFGE national president Everett Kelley.
CISA confirms U.S. agencies affected by Pulse Connect VPN vulnerabilities
The cybersecurity firm FireEye suspects at least one of the campaigns it reported on operates on behalf of the Chinese government.
House Dems back bill to put guardrails around IGs
The proposal would limit the power of the president to remove inspectors general to for cause reasons and outline exactly who can serve as an acting IG.
'Psychological safety' and organizational performance
Steve Kelman stresses the benefits of creating space for questions and push-back.
Quick Hits
*** Former Biden-Harris campaign IT director Matthew Wiegmann is joining the Treasury Department as senior advisor for technology and delivery in the office of the secretary. Weigmann held a senior tech role in the 2016 campaign of Hillary Clinton and served in the Army from 2004-2010.
*** The Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will hold a hearing April 27 on controlling federal spending on legacy IT systems and modernizing management. Subcommittee chair Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) has been digging into the weeds of agency IT modernization over the past year.
*** The Digital Services Coalition tapped former U.S. Digital Service procurement expert Traci Walker as executive director.