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House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity Bill
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House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity Bill


House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity BillThe House has voted unanimously to approve a bill that seeks to modernize information technology systems at the Internal Revenue Service and establish cybersecurity measures to protect taxpayer information, Federal Times reported Saturday.

The 21st Century IRS Act would require IRS to partner with other agencies and companies in efforts to prevent identity theft and tax refund fraud.

The bill also calls for the agency to participate in threat data sharing activities and prohibit contractors that do not comply with confidentiality policies from accessing tax return information.

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NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, Tools
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NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, Tools


NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, ToolsThe National Security Agency has developed a suite of tools meant to provide wider access to insights on systems security research and facilitate the adoption of network-protection approaches in various industries.

NSA said Friday its Unfetter technologies are designed to provide a common lexicon of cyber attack definitions to allow network defenders and threat analysts to develop, share and utilize intelligence on malicious digital activities to enhance network security.

Unfetter’s Analytic Exchange app serves as a collaboration platform for threat analysts while the Capability Assessment app lets network defenders evaluate security capacities, critical controls and content from the analysis sharing tool.

NSA’s Unfetter system also features the Threat Dashboard app where cybersecurity intelligence analysts can create and track reports on attacker behavior, techniques and tools for customers.

The Unfetter software is available for download and customization through the program’s website.

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Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud Migration
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Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud Migration


Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud MigrationMaria Voreh, chief data officer at the FBI, has said the bureau aims to address the data gap and facilitate information sharing and management through migration to the cloud, Federal News Radio reported Friday.

“To be able to share broadly with other partners or to meet a joint U.S. mission, we’ve got to move our data to the cloud,” Voreh said.

She noted that cloud adoption could help the agency facilitate information access and generate insights from data.

The FBI issued in February a request for information on potential vendors of cloud-based platform-as-a-service, software-as-a-service and other cloud computing services.

The RFI comes as the bureau prepares to transition to the cloud over the next year.

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National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser Projects
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National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser Projects


National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser ProjectsA National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report calls for the Energy Department to develop a national strategy that would facilitate the operation of large-scale laser projects at national laboratories.

The report recommends that DOE should establish a technology transfer program focused on lasers that would advance collaboration among national labs, academia and industry, Berkley Lab said Friday.

The study cited the potential applications of laser technology in particle acceleration, machining and medicine as well as research efforts at Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator Center within DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

BELLA scientists have demonstrated the acceleration of electrons through the use of various laser-based acceleration stages and plan to increase the laser pulse rate to 1,000 per second through the k-BELLA program, according to the report.

The report also calls for the U.S. to build up its research and development work on laser technology in order to keep pace with international programs when it comes to the development of high-power laser platforms.

Sponsors of the National Academies report include the National Nuclear Security Administration, DOE’s office of science, Air Force’s office of scientific research and the Office of Naval Research.

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NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech Adoption
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NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech Adoption


NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech AdoptionAnthony Vinci, chief technology officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has said he is exploring ways to help accelerate NGA’s implementation of artificial intelligence and automation technology, C4ISRNet reported Saturday.

Vinci told the publication in an interview he believes machine learning tools can help people digest and analyze information.

“We actually need some bureaucracy and process around adoption and around incubation of technology development of demos and prototypes and then turning those demos and prototypes… into operational capabilities,” added Vinci, who assumed the CTO position in February.

He also seeks to encourage technology and nontraditional companies to partner with the agency.

The report said NGA’s Office of Ventures and Innovation aims to simplify the process of testing and funding new commercial systems.

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DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure Projects
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DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure Projects


DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure ProjectsThe Transportation Department will provide up to $1.5 billion in discretionary grants through its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program that aims to support surface transportation infrastructure projects.

DOT said Friday it issued a notice of funding opportunity for the FY 2018 round of the BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program that will award up to $25 million for each selected project, and a ceiling of $150 million per state for the current round of awards.

The department will conduct webinars towards the end of May and through June to provide technical assistance for stakeholders of the BUILD program.

DOT will accept applications for the current solicitation until July 19.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 provided $1.5 billion to fund the grant also known as National Infrastructure Investments through Sept. 30, 2020.

BUILD is meant to replace the department’s existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program and can support projects for bridges, ports, rails, roads, transit and intermodal transportation.

Projects will be selected through a competitive process and based on a set of criteria.

DOT plans to award more funds to rural projects with an allocation of at least 30 percent of the BUILD grant in support of the administration’s Infrastructure Initiative.

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Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern Warfighting
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Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern Warfighting


Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern WarfightingU.S. Army Secretary Mark Esper, a 2018 Wash100 recipient, has said the service is focusing on readiness more as it prioritizes the skills of U.S. warfighters instead of meeting the intended number of recruits.

The Defense Department said Friday the Army lowered its goal of recruits from 80,000 to 76,500 because the service planned to refine its retention rate, which is now at 86 percent.

Esper noted, however, that having a higher active duty retention rate compared to service expectations may possibly hinder with the recruitment into the U.S. National Guard and the Army Reserve.

The Army sees more demand for more troops in engineering, artillery, cyber and air defense for deployments to other countries such as in Afghanistan and Africa.

The service, along with the U.S. Marine Corps and Special Operations Command, is also working with the Close-Combat Lethality Task Force to determine the requirements for modern close combat.

“As we move forward, we need to synchronize our efforts with what the Marine Corps is doing, so we use all the capabilities our soldiers need,” Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey said.

Esper added the Army’s cross-functional teams are working on enhancing the survivability and lethality of individual warfighters and the squad.

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FDA Introduces Medical Device Cybersecurity Assessment Plan; Aftin Ross Comments
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FDA Introduces Medical Device Cybersecurity Assessment Plan; Aftin Ross Comments


FDA Introduces Medical Device Cybersecurity Assessment Plan; Aftin Ross CommentsThe Food and Drug Administration has announced a new project that aims to leverage the cybersecurity of medical technologies, FedScoop reported Friday.

The Medical Device Safety Action Plan will rely on the FDA’s previous rules around digital devices, as well as add industry experts onto the CyberMed Safety Analysis Board to assess the safety standards of medical products.

The plan also requires devicemakers to install a software patch, update capabilities and a “software bill of materials” in their products to encourage the FDA to modify its premarket guidance.

Aftin Ross, senior project manager at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said the action plan aims to help devicemakers respond quickly to product issues.

Ross added that the new guidance will simplify the 806 existing reporting regulations which require device makers to report an issue and its consequences to the FDA within 10 days of its discovery.

President Trump allocated funds for the CyberMed Safety Analysis Board in his 2019 budget request to boost the FDA’s Expand the Digital Technology Industry program.

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Commerce Undersecretary Mira Ricardel Named Deputy National Security Adviser
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Commerce Undersecretary Mira Ricardel Named Deputy National Security Adviser


Commerce Undersecretary Mira Ricardel Named Deputy National Security Adviser
Mira Ricardel

Mira Ricardel, undersecretary for export administration at the Commerce Department, will serve as deputy to national security adviser John Bolton, Politico reported Friday.

Ricardel’s appointment to the National Security Council came nearly two weeks after Bolton assumed his current post to replace the retiring Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster.

“I selected her as deputy national security adviser because her expertise is broad-based and includes national security matters related to our alliances, defense posture, technology security, foreign security assistance and arms control,” Bolton said in a statement.

Ricardel was involved in the development of national security policies and programs during her tenure at the departments of State and Defense. Her career at DoD included roles such as deputy defense assistant secretary for Eurasia, acting assistant secretary for international security policy and principal adviser to the defense secretary.

She led the DoD transition team following the 2016 presidential election and previously served as vice president of programs at nonprofit organization Freedom House.

Ricardel spent nearly 10 years at Boeing, where she served as a vice president with oversight on business development teams responsible for cybersecurity, satellites and missile defense markets.

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Trump Issues New Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
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Trump Issues New Conventional Arms Transfer Policy


Trump Issues New Conventional Arms Transfer PolicyPresident Donald Trump has signed a new memorandum that establishes a new policy on conventional arms transfers in support of the country’s economic and national security interests and in compliance with the Arms Export Control Act of 1976.

The new conventional arms transfer policy seeks to keep the U.S. technological edge over potential enemies; build up the defense industrial base to generate jobs; advance research and development; and expand partnerships that aim to extend the country’s global influence, according to the presidential memo published Thursday.

The memo calls for the secretary of State to work with secretaries of the departments of Defense, Energy and Commerce to develop and submit a proposed action plan for the policy’s implementation to the White House within the next two months.

The proposed plan should include short- and long-term measures the U.S. government should implement to build up its ability to communicate and support weapons transfers in support of national security interests and state the financial and staff resources to execute the policy “with minimal increase in the total of otherwise budgeted funds, with offsets identified if necessary.”

The policy also directs the secretaries of four federal agencies to draft a program that would align the country’s export policy for unmanned aircraft systems with economic and national security interests.

“The initiative should address the status of, and recommend next steps for, [Missile Technology Control Regime] adoption of revised controls for MTCR Category I UAS, consistent with the UAS export policy,” the memo added.

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