FCW Insider: May 26, 2021

Software and startups top priorities for DOD tech chief pick

Heidi Shyu, who previously served as the Army's assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, debuted her priorities to modernize the military with a strong emphasis on software during her Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on May 25.

Lawmakers push State Department to act on harassment, discrimination

The State Department's first ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer has said that harassment cases go unreported because of an understanding that they wouldn't be addressed.

Federal CIO says cybersecurity is a top priority for new TMF projects

Recently installed Federal CIO Clare Martorana said on Tuesday that the government was looking for cybersecurity upgrades and digital services as key focus areas in allocating the $1 billion addition to the Technology Modernization Fund included in the American Rescue Plan Act.

DHS to issue new pipeline security regulations after Colonial attack

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the new guidance for pipeline security will be issued in the coming days.

Comment: The hidden power of the Federal Citizen Services Fund

Congress placed a big bet in the American Rescue Plan on the ability of the General Services Administration to reimagine federal IT services and security.

Quick Hits

*** The Senate Armed Services Committee reported favorably on Christine Wormuth's nomination to serve as Army secretary. If confirmed, Wormuth will be the first woman to hold the Army secretary post. She previously served during the Obama administration as the Defense Department's policy chief and is now the director for RAND's International Security and Defense Policy Center.

*** The Professional Services Council, a trade group that represents government contractors, is urging lawmakers and the Biden administration to consider adding IT modernization and cybersecurity funds to an infrastructure package currently being negotiated on Capitol Hill.

"Given recent cyberattacks—including the Solar Winds breach of government infrastructure and the recent attacks on energy pipelines and water treatment facilities—and the President’s May 12, 2021 Executive Order on cybersecurity, the need for resources to adapt and operate securely in the continuously changing threat environment continues to grow," David Broome, PSC's executive vice president for government relations, said in the May 21 letter.

*** A bipartisan group of House lawmakers led by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) reintroduced legislation to prohibit state and local governments from altering or seeking to change encryption measure in technology products and services.

"Having a patchwork of 50 different mandatory state-level encryption standards creates cyber vulnerabilities, threatens individual privacy and undermines the competitiveness of American innovators," Lieu said in a statement.