Cybersecurity

New DHS center to address cyber gaps

Collectively, cyber threats and their possible consequences are a bigger threat than 9/11-style attacks, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen argued as she unveiled a new National Risk Management Center to combat them.

Acquisition

GSA rolls out shared services pilot for SBIR

GSA and the Small Business Administration look to make tech innovation and commercialization easier across government.

Acquisition

FAS on the move

Despite challenges, Federal Acquisition Service leaders remain confident in their big telecom contract, ecommerce portal plans and transactional data initiative.

Modernization

New bill bakes FedRAMP into law

Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly is pushing a bill to set clear lines of responsibility and compliance for the cloud authorization process.

Cybersecurity

How hackers are going after the energy grid

Officials described an intricate effort to get into infrastructure provider networks by stealing credential from known third-party suppliers and a government agency.

Digital Government

White House looks to GEAR up

The Trump administration wants input on a new center that would bring together government and industry researchers and academics to help modernize processes and services.

Modernization

Are Russian hackers going to turn off the lights?

Although Russian-backed groups have hacked hundreds of infrastructure providers, possible power grid outages stemming from those hacks aren't expected in the near future.

Digital Government

DARPA seeks underground mapping capability

The Defense Department's research arm wants to meet with tech companies in a huge cave underneath Kentucky about subterranean mapping and search capabilities for military and civilian first responders.

Cybersecurity

Software group backs curbs on LPTA in defense bill

BSA/The Software Alliance supports a move in Congress to limit use of "lowest price technically acceptable" standards in federal IT contracting.

Modernization

FERC bumps up cyber reporting for utilities

The independent federal regulatory commission responsible for overseeing interstate transmission of electricity now requires electrical providers to report attempted hacks of their systems, not just successful ones.

Acquisition

NBIB pilot looks to contractor data to speed clearances

A planned National Background Investigative Bureau pilot program taps contractor hiring data to speed clearance checks.

Acquisition

Acquisition pros report optimism despite budget uncertainty

A survey of federal acquisition specialists from the Professional Services Council found positive views of the workforce and communication efforts.

Modernization

Still no extension on EIS

GSA is still considering an extension on its 2020 deadline for federal agencies to move to the $50 billion next-generation telecommunications contract.

Cybersecurity

TSA preps tech to track Cuba charter flights

TSA is looking to data sources inside and outside its operations to fold into a new tracking tool to get a better handle on charter aircraft traveling from Cuba into the U.S.

Modernization

Election system threats not as severe as 2016, says DHS official

Election system security issues are still critical, but 2018 election infrastructure threats aren't as "robust" as in 2016, a top official told Congress.

People

GSA's veteran CISO retires

The long-time chief of the General Services Administration's IT security program retired at the end of June to move halfway around the world.

Cybersecurity

DOJ backtracks on linking OPM hack to fraud case

The Justice Department acknowledged that a news release connecting a fraud case with the massive data theft of employee data at OPM was "premature."

Modernization

GSA looking for new telecom director

The General Services Administration wants to fill a senior executive position that provides strategic vision for its Telecommunications Services program.

Cybersecurity

Bryan nominated to lead DHS S&T Directorate

The White House wants to make the current temporary head of DHS' science and technology directorate its official leader.

People

OPM tells agencies how to implement workforce orders

The White House rolled out procedures it requires agencies to use to implement three executive orders aimed at performance improvement, dismissal of problem employees and managing unions.