/
Paul Cunningham: VA Making Progress on Improving Cybersecurity Posture
Published on
Paul Cunningham: VA Making Progress on Improving Cybersecurity Posture


Paul Cunningham: VA Making Progress on Improving Cybersecurity Posture

Paul Cunnigham, chief information security officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, said the VA achieved modernization milestones and is working with the Department of Homeland Security to improve cybersecurity, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

Cunningham said that despite the VA’s recurring cybersecurity challenges, the department has made progress with implementing a centralized approach through its new Office of Quality, Process and Risk. He added that the department continues to achieve continuous diagnostics and mitigation program goals and deployed technologies designed to discover hardware assets on its network.

According to Cunningham, the VA has “a very strong relationship” with DHS and is working with the department on a 30-month “request for service” initiative that may help the VA deploy better identity and access management capabilities.

Cunningham’s comments come after the release of the VA’s Federal Information Security Management Act audit which cites cybersecurity as a pervasive problem for the department. VA’s Office of the Inspector General has also cited progress in the department’s cyber efforts, which include an initiative to update its cybersecurity and privacy strategy to cover National Institute of Standards and Technology requirements.

//
USAF Stands Up Consolidated Cyber Development Center
Published on
USAF Stands Up Consolidated Cyber Development Center


USAF Stands Up Consolidated Cyber Development Center

The U.S. Air Force has established a new center that would address cyber gaps and consolidate enterprise requirements across the service branch.

The new Cyberspace Capabilities Center stood up on Nov. 7 and combines three formerly separate entities: the 38th Cyberspace Readiness Squadron, Air Force Network Integration Center and Air Combat Command’s Cyberspace Support Squadron, USAF said Thursday.

The center will house opportunities to further develop USAF’s enterprise information technology, with the leadership of Col. Marc Packler and Chief Master Sgt. Addison Spencer’s appointment as superintendent.

“The continuing and expanding demands on our cyberspace enterprise requires us to find better ways to organize, train and equip those forces,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Radeuge, director of cyberspace and information dominance and chief information officer at Air Combat Command.

Radeuge presided over the new center’s commencement ceremony.

//
DHS Unveils SBIR Topics for Fiscal 2020
Published on
DHS Unveils SBIR Topics for Fiscal 2020


DHS Unveils SBIR Topics for Fiscal 2020

The Department of Homeland Security has released 11 topics for this fiscal year’s wave of small business innovation research projects.

DHS said Thursday it released a pre-solicitation with nine topics from the department’s Science and Technology Directorate and two others in support of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.

“The pre-solicitation allows small businesses to learn about partnering with DHS S&T to develop new ideas and technologies that can benefit homeland security end users,” said William Bryan, DHS acting undersecretary for S&T.

Interested parties may submit questions for the pre-solicitation through Dec. 17.

The 11 SBIR topics are:

  • Development and Evaluation of Nucleic Acid-Based Assays to Accelerate Biohazard Detection (DHS201-011)
  • Digital Paging over Public Television (DHS201-003)
  • Enhanced Explosives and Illicit Drugs Detection by Targeted Interrogation of Surfaces (DHS201-007)
  • Handheld Advanced Detection/Imaging Technology System (DHS201-006)
  • In-building Coverage Analysis System (ICAS) Using Existing First Responder’s Radio and Smartphone (DHS201-005)
  • Innovative Technologies for Next Generation of Sample Collection Media (DHS201-010)
  • Machine Learning Module for Detection Technologies (DHS201-009)
  • Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) Multimedia Content Analysis Engine Capability for the Emergency Communications Cyber Security Center (EC3) – (DHS201-001)
  • Remote Sensor Data Protection and Anti-Spoofing – (DHS201-002)
  • Soft Targets and Crowded Places Security (DHS201-004)
  • Urban Canyon Detection Tracking and Identification of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (DHS201-008)

/
USDA to Address IT Skills Gap in Employees; Gary Washington Quoted
Published on
USDA to Address IT Skills Gap in Employees; Gary Washington Quoted


Gary Washington
Gary Washington

The Department of Agriculture faces the challenge to address the information technology skills gap across the USDA workforce, Fedscoop reported Thursday.

Gary Washington, USDA chief information officer, said at a Fedscoop event that the department’s adoption of a consolidated, business-focused IT approach has left out the technology awareness of many employees.

The department adopted the consolidated IT approach upon working with the General Services Administration’s Centers of Excellence program. The approach consolidated centers for security, data, user support and other IT functions.

USDA intends to address this gap via new employee training programs.

“We need to make sure that our 3,100 federal employees at USDA are in a position to be a part of that journey,” Washington said at FedScoop’s Workforce Summit.

/
Defense, Industry Leaders Cite Minor Powers as Potential Threats to US Cybersecurity
Published on
Defense, Industry Leaders Cite Minor Powers as Potential Threats to US Cybersecurity


Defense, Industry Leaders Cite Minor Powers as Potential Threats to US Cybersecurity

Brandon Valeriano, head of Armed Politics at the Marine Corps University, said that the U.S. should put focus on potential cyber threats from lesser-known actors instead of Russia and China, Fifth Domain reported Thursday.

Valeriano, who also serves as a member of the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, told attendees at the 2019 CyberCon that the cyber domain can be used by minor or middle powers such as the United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Qatar and Vietnam to achieve national goals without investing in defense assets.

Sergio Caltagirone, vice president of threat intelligence at cybersecurity firm Dragos, also warned that the Middle East is transitioning away from cyber research and development and “becoming a playground of active operations.”

“I’m worried too much about our great power politics focus,” noted Valeriano. “I think we need to think a bit better about the realities of conflict.”

House OKs Extension of Select Committee on Congress Modernization; Derek Kilmer Quoted
Published on
House OKs Extension of Select Committee on Congress Modernization; Derek Kilmer Quoted


Derek Kilmer
Derek Kilmer

The House has voted to continue the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress’ operations through the end of the 116th Congress. The Select Committee said Thursday its authority was originally slated to run until Feb. 1, 2020.

The committee was established to develop bipartisan proposals that “promote a more modern and efficient Congress.” As part of the extension, the committee will continue working to propose changes to congressional procedures encompassing matters such as staff recruitment, compensation, retention, diversity, travel, outside services, technology and innovation.

To date, the group has conducted 12 hearings and released 29 recommendations on congressional transparency and accessibility. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., was appointed to head the committee in January.

“It’s important to get Congress working better on behalf of the American people. That’s what the Select Committee is about,” said Kilmer and Tom Graves, R-Ga., who serves as the committee’s vice chair.

“We are grateful to our colleagues, House leadership, civic groups and the American people for seeing the value of this work and ensuring the progress continues over the next year.”

//
Perspecta to Build Class A Facility in Boise, Idaho Region; Mac Curtis Quoted
Published on
Perspecta to Build Class A Facility in Boise, Idaho Region; Mac Curtis Quoted


Perspecta to Build Class A Facility in Boise, Idaho Region; Mac Curtis Quoted

Perspecta Inc. announced on Friday that the company will build a new Class A facility in Meridian, Idaho that is a highly-sought after destination for technology firms and innovative talent in the Boise, Idaho region. 

“Perspecta is excited to break ground on a new facility in one of the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country,” said Mac Curtis, president and CEO of Perspecta, and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient. 

The construction project represents approximately $5 million in capital investment by Perspecta and will support more than 500 employees. The new space allows Perspecta to grow a nearly 20-year presence in the Boise area, supporting multiple federal, state and local U.S. government customers, including the U.S. Navy.

The new “LaSalle” building, being constructed by Ball Ventures Ahlquist (BVA) will be a five-story, 127,000-square-foot office building at Ten Mile Crossing, a 75-acre complex on the northeast corner of Ten Mile Road and Interstate 84. Perspecta will serve as the premier tenant and occupy 65,000 square feet of the building.

“At Perspecta, we know what it takes to transform the way government agencies serve citizens, and we are excited to expand our local high-tech team in support of this critical objective,” Curtis added. 

About Perspecta Inc.

At Perspecta (NYSE: PRSP), we question, we seek and we solve. Perspecta brings a diverse set of capabilities to our U.S. government customers in defense, intelligence, civilian, health care and state and local markets. Our 270+ issued, licensed and pending patents are more than just pieces of paper, they tell the story of our innovation. 

With offerings in mission services, digital transformation and enterprise operations, our team of 14,000 engineers, analysts, investigators and architects work tirelessly to not only execute the mission, but build and support the backbone that enables it. Perspecta was formed to take on big challenges.

/
Booz Allen Hamilton Receives $152M Contract from U.S. Army to Build Recruiting Platform; Michele Hintz Quoted
Published on
Booz Allen Hamilton Receives $152M Contract from U.S. Army to Build Recruiting Platform; Michele Hintz Quoted


Booz Allen Hamilton Receives $152M Contract from U.S. Army to Build Recruiting Platform; Michele Hintz Quoted

Booz Allen Hamilton announced on Friday that the U.S. Army is partnering with the company to build a new enterprise technology platform until a potential three-year, $152 million contract. 

“Booz Allen is honored to have been selected by the U.S. Army to develop this mobile, commercial off-the-shelf-based solution for the recruiting and accessioning of its workforce and commanders,” said Michele Hintz, senior vice president at Booz Allen. “Our team of technology and analytics experts brings extensive experience delivering the latest open and smart solutions to overcome the increasingly complex challenges facing the U.S. Army.”

The Army is taking steps to grow its end-strength over the coming years, in accordance with Army Vision, but faces the challenge of finding and reaching the men and women that will be America’s future soldiers.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

For more than 100 years, military, government, and business leaders have turned to Booz Allen Hamilton to solve their most complex problems. As a consulting firm with experts in analytics, digital, engineering, and cyber, we help organizations transform. 

We are a key partner on some of the most innovative programs for governments worldwide and trusted by their most sensitive agencies. We work shoulder to shoulder with clients, using a mission-first approach to choose the right strategy and technology to help them realize their vision.

//
Executive Mosaic Opens Nominations for the 2020 Wash100 Award
Published on
Executive Mosaic Opens Nominations for the 2020 Wash100 Award


Executive Mosaic Opens Nominations for the 2020 Wash100 Award

Executive Mosaic has opened nominations for the prestigious 2020 Wash100 Award. Nominations will be accepted through January 10th. To make a nomination, visit www.https://wash100.com/. 

For the second year, Executive Mosaic will be accepting nominations to include individuals working for government contractors, government policy groups, higher education institutions and industry-related organizations. 

The coveted Wash100 Award is now in its seventh year and is awarded proudly to those distinguished GovCon executives that have demonstrated excellence in the following five key attributes: leadership, innovation, reliability, achievements, vision. 

More than that, the award is given based on those key players most likely to accomplish executive performance of consequence, in the year to come.

To the credit of the selection committee, the Wash100 has performed as a reliable forecast of accomplishment, since its inception, to select the true leaders of the year ahead in GovCon. 

“The annual Wash100 Award recognizes the premier GovCon executives of consequence and showcases the high esteem these individuals enjoy from their colleagues in the industry,” Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic’s founder and CEO.

Following Executive Mosaic’s nomination process, the full list of winners will be announced on Jan. 22nd. 2020. Click here to submit your nomination for the 2020 Wash100 Award.

/
Digital Bazaar Lands DHS Funding to Build Blockchain Security Tech
Published on
Digital Bazaar Lands DHS Funding to Build Blockchain Security Tech


Digital Bazaar Lands DHS Funding to Build Blockchain Security Tech

Digital Bazaar has secured $200K from the Department of Homeland Security’s science and technology directorate to create a blockchain-based security platform under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program.

The Blacksburg, Va.-based technology company aims to produce a credentialing technology for large enterprises under the firm’s proposed Interoperable Enterprise Identity and Credential Life-cycle Management project, DHS said Thursday.

DHS S&T awarded the Phase 1 funds via the directorate’s SVIP other transaction solicitation, titled Preventing Forgery and Counterfeiting of Certificates and Licenses.

The directorate is examining the potential of blockchain and distributed ledger tools to digitally process  credentials as part of security, interoperability and anti-counterfeiting efforts.

1 … 1,715 1,716 1,717 1,718 1,719 … 2,704