The newly released guidance is a second draft revision of the Computer Security Incident Handling Guide, which was originally released in March 2008.

The guidance provides framework for agencies to establish incident response teams to analyze cybersecurity threats and determine appropriate solutions.

The guide also outlines various threats agencies should consider when implementing a counter-prevention strategy.

NIST said it is accepting feedback on the revision via email through March 16.

Photo: DHS.gov

A House subcommittee cleared a bill last week that would create nonprofit organization to promote information sharing across the public and private sectors, Federal News Radio reports.

Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) said the bill makes the Department of Homeland Security the focal point for protecting federal networks and private sector-owned critical infrastructure.

Lungren is chairman of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.

Under the proposed legislation, the National Information Sharing Organization would facilitate the sharing of cybersecurity and infrastructure protection between the federal government and the private sector.

Lungren told Federal News Radio NISO would establish trust between the private sector and the government.

Lungren also said the government would provide funds for NISO’s first three years, then participants would contribute to the center’s funding.

David Van Buren

Air Force Acquisition Executive David Van Buren will step down in March, Defense News reports.

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley announced Van Buren’s intent to leave and return to the private industry in an internal email Friday, according to Defense News.

The Air Force has not officially named a successor to Van Buren, who assumed his position in April 2009.

Defense News cites industry officials as saying Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, will likely oversee weapon purchases after Van Buren leaves.

Van Buren is responsible for all acquisition related activities for the Air Force and directs nearly $70 billion in annual investments and programs.

According to the Air Force, Van Buren is a 30-year acquisition veteran with public and private sector experience.

Prior to his current position, Van Buren was the Air Force’s principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and management.

Van Buren’s private sector experience includes companies such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, where he was vice president and deputy program manager for the B-2 bomber.

Photo: SBA.gov

President Obama has nominated Joseph Jordan director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, according to a White House announcement.

Upon congressional approval, Jordan will succeed Dan Gordon, who took up a teaching position at George Washington University‘s law school.

Jordan currently serves in the  as a senior adviser to acting OMB Director Jeffrey Zients, acting director at the Office of Management and Budget.

Jordan has previously served as the Small Business Administration‘s associate administrator for government contracting and business development.

Luke McCormack

The Justice Department has appointed Luke McCormack department chief information officer, according to a department announcement.

McCormack will assume the CIO position in late March and succeeds Van Hitch, who retired this past summer.

DOJ Deputy CIO Eric Olson has served as acting CIO since Hitch retired and will return to his deputy post upon McCormack’s arrival.

McCormack will provide strategic direction and oversee the department’s information technology efforts, according to the announcement.

McCormack is currently CIO forImmigration and Customs Enforcement. He has held this position since 2005.

He is responsible for ICE’s IT portfolio, strategy planning and cybersecurity.

Previously, McCormack was acting director of Customs and Border Protection’s infrastructure division from January 2004 to June 2005.

He served in other roles at CBP, including as director of architecture and engineering and as director of systems engineering.

U.S. Army photo

The National Capital Planning Commission has approved the Army‘s final master plan to build an intelligence campus in Bethesda, Md., the NCPC announced Thursday.

The campus will be located at the former headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which relocated to Fort Belvoir, Va. in 2005.

The Army Corps of Engineers will redevelop the 39-acre site, adding two buildings and retaining three.

The plan also includes a parking garage and landscaping renovations.

The campus will have a maximum occupancy of 3,000 employees, nearly the same amount as NGA prior to relocation.

The NCPC expects work to be completed in 2016 and will review plans for individual campus components later this year.

Photo By: Davempowers

The House approved a bill Wednesday to extend the federal pay freeze through 2013, according to information provided by the Library of Congress.

In a 307-117 vote, lawmakers passed the bill introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.). The bill also includes language that places a hold on members of Congress’ salaries.

The legislation now moves to the Senate.

The vote comes as the Obama administration is expected to request a 0.5 percent pay increase for federal workers in its 2013 budget plan, Federal News Radio reports.

The House vote comes recently after the Congressional Budget Office released a report saying federal employees earn, on average, 16 percent more in pay and benefits on average than private sector workers.

CBO also said the pay differences depend on education. Private sector employees with post-graduate or doctoral education receive 18 percent more in pay and benefits than federal employees.

Photo: FAA.gov

Lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday to fund the Federal Aviation Administration for the next four fiscal years, Bloomberg reports.

The bill agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators ends short-term funding trend by providing the agency $63.6 billion, or $15.9 billion a year.

The bill also allocates funds for the FAA’s next generation air traffic modernization program. NextGen will track aircraft with satellites and will also include an upgraded communication system.

The system carries projected costs of $42 billion by 2025, Bloomberg reports. The bill also creates a position for an official to oversee development.

“One of the things that a long-term FAA bill will do is help us continue our transition to the next generation of technology, an aviation that is built for the future, an aviation system that is built to last,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, according to USA Today.

Photo: NIST

The National Institute of Standards and Technologies is calling on agencies to take the lead in addressing security and privacy challenges relating to public cloud computing.

NIST’s Guidelines on Security and Privacy in Public Cloud Computing do not suggest any specific service or deployment method for cloud computing, but lists several guidelines agencies should follow when considering their cloud services.

NIST asked agencies to plan and consider the security aspects of utilizing the cloud and said agencies should ensure cloud solutions fulfill the agency’s requirements.

The document also suggests agencies establish strong contractual obligations and stay on top of agency need and whether the provider is meeting those needs. NIST told agencies they are responsible for securing data and applications implemented and deployed in public cloud computing environments.

“The organization should collect and analyze available data about the state of the system regularly and as often as needed to manage security and privacy risks, as appropriate for each level of the organization,” NIST said.

dc.gov

Google Plus users can now add the White House to their circles as of Friday.

In a Friday blog post, the White House announced that it has joined Google’s social networking service in addition to its active Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.

The White House said joining Google Plus is part the administration’s efforts to increase public engagement and participation.

The White House’s Google Plus page features news from the White House blog, photos and videos and features opportunities for the public to participate such as in Google Plus hangouts.

Google Plus Hangouts allow up to 10 people to participate in live multi-person video chat. The White House will regularly host hangouts that allow users to interact with with policy experts.

Those who who do not join the Hangout can watch the entire conversation on WhiteHouse.gov, the White House’s Google Plus page or on its YouTube channel.