NASA Officials Address Challenges in Sustaining IT Systems of Space Assets
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NASA Officials Address Challenges in Sustaining IT Systems of Space Assets


NASA Officials Address Challenges in Sustaining IT Systems of Space AssetsRenee Wynn, chief information officer of NASA, has said in an audio interview that it will take time for the agency to achieve a cybersecurity posture for its information technology assets, Federal News Radio reported Friday.

Wynn explained that NASA cannot modernize some of its IT systems as they are still operating in space, such as the Voyager I and II space probes.

To address this challenge, the agency treated IT as a strategic resource, boosted the authority and productivity of the CIO and reduced desktop contracts starting in 2014, among other things.

Mike Witt, associate chief information officer for cybersecurity and privacy at NASA, also noted that the agency sometimes maintains the operating systems of its legacy assets to protect their functions.

NASA is leveraging the cloud to protect its data while sustaining old systems.

“NASA really does understand and embrace the use of cloud, but we do take a very careful approach before we start putting out data in it to make sure the cybersecurity is up to federal standards,” Witt added.

The federal organization is working with cloud providers to maximize the capabilities of trusted internet connections to address the requirement for surge capability.

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Senate Passes NIST Bill to Support Small Business Cybersecurity
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Senate Passes NIST Bill to Support Small Business Cybersecurity


Senate Passes NIST Bill to Support Small Business CybersecurityThe Senate has passed a bipartisan bill that would allot resources to protect the cyber assets of small businesses under the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Senators unanimously voted to pass the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act that seeks to address the needs of small businesses in using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, the office of Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said Wednesday.

Established under the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework serves as a guide to help organizations and firms manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks.

Schatz, along with James Risch, R-Idaho, introduced the proposed legislation, while John Thune, R-S.D.; Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Bill Nelson, D-Fla.; Cory Gardner, R-Colo.; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.; and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. sponsored the bill.

Office of Personnel Management’s OCIO to Hold IT Industry Outreach Day in September
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Office of Personnel Management’s OCIO to Hold IT Industry Outreach Day in September


Office of Personnel Management's OCIO to Hold IT Industry Outreach Day in SeptemberThe Office of Personnel Management’s Office of the Chief Information Officer is scheduled to hold its second quarterly Industry Outreach Day on Sept. 4 at the agency headquarters in Washington, D.C.

A FedBizOpps notice posted Friday says the free event will include informational briefings from OPM/OCIO personnel, discussions with OCIO personnel and IT vendors on OPM’s IT strategies and new and emerging IT platforms.

Interested companies must have a maximum of two representatives, who are required to register online.

Only the first 75 registered vendors will be allowed to participate given the venue’s seating limitations.

NGA Releases Updated GEOINT Strategy; Robert Cardillo Comments
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NGA Releases Updated GEOINT Strategy; Robert Cardillo Comments


NGA Releases Updated GEOINT Strategy; Robert Cardillo Comments
Robert Cardillo

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has updated its commercial geospatial intelligence strategy to emphasize the agency’s need to keep up with emerging technologies.

The recently released action plan includes the agency’s initiatives on expanding partnerships, facilitating information assurance operations and integrating commercial GEOINT systems with automated and artificial intelligence technologies, NGA said Thursday.

Robert Cardillo, NGA director and a four-time Wash100 awardee, said the updated GEOINT plan reflects the agency’s increased flexibility in sustaining and growing its strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving GEOINT environment.

The new strategy supports research, technology and innovation efforts outlined in the National Security Strategy and builds upon a prior GEOINT strategy released in 2015.

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Report: Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Commercial Space Bill; Sen. Ted Cruz Comments
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Report: Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Commercial Space Bill; Sen. Ted Cruz Comments


Report: Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Commercial Space Bill; Sen. Ted Cruz CommentsThe U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has passed a bipartisan bill that aims to support U.S. space leadership.

The panel voted to pass the Space Frontier Act which would refine regulations on commercial space launch; support the country’s leadership in space exploration; and extend the use of the International Space Station through 2030, Sen. Ted Cruz’s office said Wednesday.

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Bill Nelson D-Fla.; and Ed Markey, D-Mass. introduced the bill, building on the similar U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act.

The commercial space industry, despite exhibiting continuous growth, has not reached its full potential due to outdated policies that hinder innovation and investment, Cruz remarked. He said these prohibitions cause the U.S. space industry to seek clients abroad.

“The Space Frontier Act seeks to solve these issues by streamlining launch and re-entry regulations for reusable and expendable launch systems,” Cruz added.

David Bassett Announces New Army Initiatives for Modernized Communication Networks
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David Bassett Announces New Army Initiatives for Modernized Communication Networks


David Bassett Announces New Army Initiatives for Modernized Communication Networks
Maj. Gen. David Bassett

Maj. Gen. David Bassett, the U.S. Army’s program executive officer for command, control and communications-tactical, has said the service aims to initiate new communications projects starting in late 2018, FCW reported Thursday.

Bassett noted during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Cyber + Networks Hot Topic event that the service seeks to open new communications points and leverage commercial cloud services to upgrade its network and modernize operations.

In late 2018, the Army will launch the new Army Communications Support Battalion with advanced connectivity capabilities, as well as begin assessing two new options for the next-generation mission command for movement and maneuvering.

Bassett also expressed interest in deploying a network of satellite systems starting in 2020, to provide soldiers with more access points and increased satellite bandwidth for communications.

The Army intends to coordinate with AT&T in testing unified communications capabilities such as voice, video and instant messaging to a few unclassified users before deploying them to classified users in 2019.

Bassett and Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford, chief information officer of the Army, are modifying the service’s risk management framework to integrate systems with advanced technologies at the beginning of their development cycle.

Trump Nominates Former NIC Vice Chair Vaughn Bishop for CIA Deputy Director
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Trump Nominates Former NIC Vice Chair Vaughn Bishop for CIA Deputy Director


Trump Nominates Former NIC Vice Chair Vaughn Bishop for CIA Deputy DirectorPresident Trump has nominated 30-year CIA veteran Vaughn Bishop for appointment as the intelligence agency’s deputy director.

Prior to retiring from the CIA in 2011, Bishop served across a variety of senior positions such as vice chair for the National Intelligence Council, CIA said Wednesday.

He also served as Ombudsman for Analytic Objectivity during the agency’s modernization initiative after his retirement.

CIA director Gina Haspel said she is pleased that Bishop has agreed to return to the CIA, and that he will “help empower every agency officer to advance CIA’s mission in concrete and measurable ways.”

Bishop holds degrees from Northwestern University including Bachelor in Political Science, Master in Political Science and Doctorate in Political Science and African Studies.

GAO: OMB, Fed Agencies Should Address CIO Roles in IT Management
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GAO: OMB, Fed Agencies Should Address CIO Roles in IT Management


GAO: OMB, Fed Agencies Should Address CIO Roles in IT ManagementThe Government Accountability Office has recommended the Office of Management and Budget and 24 federal agencies boost the implementation of their respective chief information officers’ responsibilities in different information technology management areas.

GAO said Thursday the OMB should address the new responsibilities of its CIO related to the IT workforce, clarify how agencies should acknowledge the role of CIOs in budgeting decisions and IT management, and identify the authority of CIOs over IT spending.

The other 24 agencies are directed to determine the shortcomings in the responsibilities of their CIOs in IT leadership and accountability, budgeting, investment management, strategic planning, workforce and information security.

GAO found in a study that OMB’s guidance does not address all CIO responsibilities and ensure the senior role will contribute to developing, budgeting and implementing IT decisions.

President Trump has signed an executive order addressing the role of CIOs in IT management, aligning with GAO’s concerns.

Gen. Paul Nakasone: NSA, Cybercom to Help Agencies Thwart Cyber Interference in Elections
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Gen. Paul Nakasone: NSA, Cybercom to Help Agencies Thwart Cyber Interference in Elections


Gen. Paul Nakasone: NSA, Cybercom to Help Agencies Thwart Cyber Interference in Elections
Paul Nakasone

Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, has said both organizations will collaborate with other government agencies in efforts to monitor foreign attempts to interfere in U.S. elections, DoD News reported Thursday.

“I have complete confidence in the forces under my command,” Nakasone told reporters during a press conference held Thursday at the White House.

“We will work in conjunction with other elements of our government to make sure we bring the full power of our nation to bear on any foreign power that attempts to interfere with our democratic processes.”

He noted the Pentagon provides intelligence data, technical expertise and information support that the Department of Homeland Security can impart to state and local government officials to secure 2018 midterm elections.

Chris Shank to Head DoD Strategic Capabilities Office
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Chris Shank to Head DoD Strategic Capabilities Office


Chris Shank to Head DoD Strategic Capabilities Office
Chris Shank

Chris Shank, former senior adviser to the secretary of the U.S. Air Force, has joined the Defense Department’s Strategic Capabilities Office as its new director, Defense News reported Friday.

Shank will lead the SCO and its efforts to explore and develop strategies to counter emerging threats across various domains.

He succeeds Will Roper, who now serves as the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.

As senior adviser to the Air Force secretary in 2017, Shank helped re-establish the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the White House National Space Council.

The Air Force vet also held several leadership and adviser roles in other companies and agencies such as Van Scoyoc Associates, Honeywell, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the Department of Defense and NASA.

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