The Office of Management and Budget is coordinating cybersecurity efforts with the Department of Homeland Security to enhance protection of the federal supply chain, FCW reported Wednesday.

OMB’s new Federal Acquisition Security Council launched efforts to support the DHS Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Task Force manage security risks in acquisition and purchasing. DHS established the ICT Supply Chain Task Force last fall that gathers 60 government and industry partners, followed by OMB’s supply chain security council in December. Both groups intend to promote cybersecurity resilience and enhance federal procurement and acquisition policies. 

Bob Kolasky, co-chairman of the ICT Supply Chain Task Force, said his team plans to issue the first analysis of its work streams this summer, which would include threat information sharing between government and private sectors, its threat evaluation criteria and procurement rules. The Federal Acquisition Security Council will hold its first meeting next week.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology released the findings from its final “green paper” showing how the government could bring federally funded inventions from laboratories to markets faster. The report contains 15 key findings focusing on streamlined federal regulations, public-private partnerships, building an entrepreneurial workforce and support for innovation, NIST said Wednesday. 

“Removing roadblocks, enabling entrepreneurs, attracting private investment and getting inventions from the laboratory into the marketplace faster are essential to unleash American innovation and to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security,” said Walter Copan, director of NIST and under secretary of commerce for standards and technology.

The green paper is based on industry, academic and government stakeholders feedback gathered through NIST’s Return on Investment Initiative for Unleashing American Innovation. NIST intends to use the report to guide agencies in policy decisions to increase returns from the government’s over $150 billion annual investment in research and development.

U.S. Cyber Command is focusing on how to help other federal government components address cyber threats from foreign adversaries, Fedscoop reported Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Timothy Haugh, leader of USCYBERCOM’s Cyber National Mission Force, said that mission outcomes depend on how the country aids foreign and domestic industry partners in protecting national assets during a recent Atlantic Council event. He added that the command must provide information that helps federal agencies do their respective jobs.

The change to a more collaborative focus stems from the Department of Defense’s new strategy and boosted authority in line with the White House’s refined cyber policy and the National Defense Authorization Act.

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.