Suzette Kent, federal chief information officer at the Office of Management and Budget and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, said the federal government needs to reinforce the security of critical data, SIGNAL Magazine reported Wednesday.

“As we look to a future where we are sharing more data, it is imperative that we improve the security of that data,” added Kent. She added that the government should comprehend its cyber systems and capacities to prevent potential cyber attacks.

The government also intends to employ chief data officers, organizations and teams to boost its cyber workforce.

“We know we have some of the most talented people and most challenging missions here in government. Industry is tapping these people,” noted Kent.

About the Wash100

The Wash100 award, now in its sixth year, recognizes the most influential executives in the GovCon industry as selected by the Executive Mosaic team in tandem with online nominations from the GovCon community. Representing the best of the private and public sector, the winners demonstrate superior leadership, innovation, reliability, achievement and vision.

Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2019 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2019.

President Trump officially transferred the federal government’s security clearance and background investigations to a Department of Defense office through an executive order, Nextgov reported Wednesday. The EO renames the Defense Security Service as Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, which will assume all investigations-related work by the end of September.

“[N]o later than June 24, 2019, the DCSA shall serve as the primary entity for conducting effective, efficient and secure background investigations for the federal government for determining whether covered individuals are or continue to be eligible for access to classified information or eligible to hold a sensitive position,” according to the policy.

The order directs DoD and the Office of Personnel Management to have a plan by June 24 for implementation by the Pentagon’s personnel vetting transformation office. It allows the defense secretary to change or transfer work to another DoD office but consultation must be made with OPM, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Management and Budget.

The National Background Investigation Bureau will continue to oversee investigations work through Sept. 30, according to the EO. The order came a month after DoD issued a memorandum that directs the Defense Security Service to assume responsibility for the vetting process.

Federal Chief Information Officer and 2019 Wash100 Award winner Suzette Kent said the CIO Council is accepting applications for the second group of individuals who will undergo training as part of the Federal Cybersecurity Reskilling Academy, Federal News Network reported Tuesday.

“Our second set of reskilling activities are kicking off,” Kent said Tuesday at the GDIT Emerge conference in Washington. “We have more that are following. That’s the way that we’re reinvesting and ensuring that in all the things we’re doing on the technology side, we’re making an investment in the people.”

The second round is open to the whole federal workforce and applications are due by May 15, according to the report. The academy will select employees in early June to undergo classroom training between July 8 to Sept. 20. Kent noted that approximately 30 personnel from 11 agencies participated in the academy’s first class.

About the Wash100

The Wash100 award, now in its sixth year, recognizes the most influential executives in the GovCon industry as selected by the Executive Mosaic team in tandem with online nominations from the GovCon community. Representing the best of the private and public sector, the winners demonstrate superior leadership, innovation, reliability, achievement and vision.

Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2019 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2019.

The Department of Defense continues to encourage Congress to approve the formation of the Space Force to address the emerging threats against military satellites and other space-based assets of the country, Space News reported Tuesday. Stephen Kitay, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, said the new service branch will focus on protecting the infrastructures supporting the economy and military. 

“The scope and scale of the threats to our space systems is at an all time high and expanding,” Kitay said during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 

The Senate Armed Services Committee is set to begin markup of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the Space Force. Some lawmakers expressed some concerns with the proposal at a committee hearing on April 11 and challenged Acting Defense Secretary and 2019 Wash100 Award winner Patrick Shanahan to explain why DoD needs to add another bureaucracy to protect satellites from enemy attacks. 

Kitay said having a separate service branch for space will enable the military to “ensure attention,” elevate, unify and focus efforts on that domain as adversaries continue to develop new capabilities, such as the anti-satellite missiles of China.