FCW Insider: April 23, 2021

OPM nominee plans focus on telework, IT, retirement

Kiran Ahuja, a veteran of the Office of Personnel Management, told lawmakers that she thinks that the lack of consistent leadership in the top position at OPM has taken a toll on the ability of the agency to complete longer term IT modernization projects.

Pentagon readies new policy to boost cyber workforce amid recruitment challenges

The Defense Department is developing a new policy series aimed at improving the cyber workforce, but it has substantial work to do to recruit the talent needed in the future.

CISA warns on new threat group using VPN flaw

A new report by the government's cybersecurity agency warns about another threat actor using malware initially discovered during the response to the intrusion involving SolarWinds.

Quick Hits

*** The Small Business Administration announced a new partnership with point-of-sale payment processing technology providers Clover, NCR Corporation, Square and Toast to help restaurants submit applications to receive pandemic relief and recovery payments from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The fund was authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act. Applicants for the fund can also apply directly via an SBA online portal.

*** The Transportation Security Administration is looking at whether it will be able to accept app-based mobile drivers licenses to confirm identity for air passengers. Read more on this story via GCN.

*** Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory examined how COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories spread online. GCN has more on this story.