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GSA’s Laura Stanton on Addressing Cyberthreats With Application Security Testing
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GSA’s Laura Stanton on Addressing Cyberthreats With Application Security Testing

Laura Stanton, a General Services Administration official, said federal agencies should develop an application security testing program that advances the adoption of various tools that continuously evaluate and address cyber vulnerabilities throughout the software development lifecycle.

“Ultimately, the goal is to create a holistic AST program of automated tools and manual testing that continuously examines applications as they are developed and continue through the SDLC,” Stanton, assistant commissioner for the office of information technology category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote in a blog post published Tuesday.

Some of the AST testing tools Stanton cited are Static AST, Dynamic AST and Software Composition Analysis.

She mentioned broken access control, injection and cryptographic failures as the top three app security threats and suggested best practices and AST tools that could be used to address such threats.

Stanton said agencies should consider the use of independent third-party testers for application security as part of their AST programs.

“These expert firms have the skills and certifications required to provide high-quality results and ensure applications hold up against real-world cyber attacks,” she added.

Want to learn more about the government’s efforts to address cyber threats? Attend the upcoming 2023 Cyber Summit, from Potomac Officers Club. This informative June 8 event will feature speakers such as DOD Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity David McKeown and Department of the Air Force Chief Information Security Officer Aaron Bishop, among many others. Register here to reserve a spot today.

GSA's Laura Stanton on Addressing Cyberthreats With Application Security Testing
House OKs Bipartisan Measure to Suspend Debt Ceiling Until January 2025
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House OKs Bipartisan Measure to Suspend Debt Ceiling Until January 2025

The House voted 314-117 Wednesday to pass a bipartisan bill that would suspend the debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, raise military spending by approximately 3 percent and reduce spending on domestic programs in fiscal year 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The measure, which is now headed to the Senate, would place a 1 percent limit on spending increases for FY 2025, increase the age of individuals who must work to get food assistance and accelerate environmental assessments for energy projects.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the proposed Fiscal Responsibility Act would cut government deficits by approximately $1.5 trillion over 10 years compared with the baseline forecast.

President Joe Biden called on the Senate to immediately approve the measure so he can sign the bill into law and noted that the budget agreement honors his commitment to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and other critical programs supporting families, veterans and students.

“I have been clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties. This agreement meets that test,” Biden said in a statement released Wednesday.

The passage of the bill in the lower chamber came days after President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached the deal.

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DLA Issues Broad Agency Announcement on IT Modernization Efforts
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DLA Issues Broad Agency Announcement on IT Modernization Efforts

The Defense Logistics Agency is soliciting research and development proposals to support eight focus areas under its Acquisition Modernization Technology Research program.

A broad agency announcement published Tuesday says the agency is aiming to update procurement systems and processes through the adoption of industry best practices and modern technology platforms.

DLA plans to assemble a working group of contractors tasked with advising and assisting the AMTR program office on efforts to implement cutting-edge technology such as robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and digital engineering tools.

The agency intends to award cost-type indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts under the BAA and expects the performance period to consist of one base year and four one-year options.

DLA will keep the BAA open for five years, but initial responses to the solicitation notice are due Oct. 28.

The AMTR focus areas listed in the notice are as follows:

  • Maximizing enterprise IT modernization
  • Integrating data science and analytics
  • Leveraging a connected and secure supply chain
  • Capitalizing on emerging technology
  • Deepening industry engagement for innovation
  • Applying innovative processes
  • Strengthening knowledge-rich acquisition workforce
  • Enhancing market intelligence
FirstNet Band 14 Spectrum Secures Reauthorization From FCC
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FirstNet Band 14 Spectrum Secures Reauthorization From FCC

The Federal Communications Commission has reauthorized the First Responder Network Authority’s Band 14 spectrum dedicated to first responders and public safety users.

The spectrum license renewal is valid for another 10 years or for the remaining period of the nationwide public safety broadband network’s authorization from Congress, FirstNet Authority said Friday.

According to the independent authority, the reauthorization will provide public safety organizations with uninterrupted access to advanced broadband services to better serve their communities.

“The FirstNet Authority will continue to work diligently to further innovate and grow the network to ensure it consistently meets public safety’s needs.”

AT&T developed the national public safety wireless broadband network under a potential $6.5 billion contract awarded by FirstNet Authority in March 2017.

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Guidehouse Recommends Specific Configurations for Microgrid Deployment as Cybersecurity Countermeasures
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Guidehouse Recommends Specific Configurations for Microgrid Deployment as Cybersecurity Countermeasures

A new Guidehouse Insights report has recommended specific configurations for microgrid deployments to reduce electrical components’ vulnerabilities to cyber exploitation and prevent cyberattacks on the U.S. power grid.

The report recommended that microgrid software developers and original equipment manufacturers incorporate protective measures as early as the design stage of the development, Guidehouse Insights said Tuesday.

Guidehouse Insights also suggested that vendors using pay-for-performance models develop value-based pricing for cyber resilience services that account for the benefits of deploying microgrids as cybersecurity countermeasures.

Microgrids, utilities and end users should also incorporate best cybersecurity defense practices in their microgrid deployment processes, the report added.

“The only safe harbor for manufacturers to avoid liability is to consider cybersecurity from the design phase of a transmission and distribution expansion, deploying microgrids in ways that enhance rather than undermine cybersecurity,” said Christopher Cooper, senior research analyst at Guidehouse Insights.

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OSTP Names Former Chief Data Scientist Denice Ross Deputy CTO
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OSTP Names Former Chief Data Scientist Denice Ross Deputy CTO

Denice Ross, former chief data scientist at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, has been named deputy chief technology officer for tech capacity, FedScoop reported Tuesday.

She is responsible for ensuring openness, equity and effectiveness in the technological endeavors of local, state, federal, tribal and territorial government entities.

Ross joined OSTP as chief data scientist in November 2021. Prior to that, she was a senior fellow of the National Conference on Citizenship, and a fellow at the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation.

Earlier in her career, Ross held the position of senior advisor of community solutions at the Office of Management and Budget. She was also part of the Commerce Agency Review Team during the presidential transition to the Biden-Harris administration.

Ross succeeds Lynne Parker as deputy CTO, and was replaced by Dominique Duval-Diop in the chief data scientist role.

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GAO: DOD Should Manage F-35 Engine, Cooling Modernization as Separate Acquisition Program
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GAO: DOD Should Manage F-35 Engine, Cooling Modernization as Separate Acquisition Program

The Government Accountability Office has recommended that the Department of Defense direct the F-35 program office to reassess its comparative analysis after the service branches define their power and cooling requirements and oversee the engine and thermal management modernization effort as a separate program with its own performance baseline, cost and schedule.

GAO said Tuesday found that the program office has not fully defined the fighter jet’s cooling requirements.

“By obtaining this key information, DOD and the services would be more informed about the future performance, cost, and technical implications,” the GAO report reads.

The congressional watchdog called on the Pentagon to require the F-35 program office to report to Congress on cost differences between actual prices and original estimates for certain modernization capabilities and secure an independent cost estimate for all thermal management and engine modernization options.

According to the report, the program’s total procurement costs have climbed by $13.4 billion since the 2019 cost estimate.

GAO found that the Block 4 modernization effort continues to experience developmental delays and that the initiative’s costs rose to $16.5 billion in August 2021, up from $15.1 billion in June 2021.

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Acting CTO Don Yeske to Leave Department of the Navy CIO for DHS
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Acting CTO Don Yeske to Leave Department of the Navy CIO for DHS

Don Yeske, acting chief technology officer at the Department of the Navy’s office of the chief information officer, will step down from his current role on June 16 to assume a new position at the Department of Homeland Security, he announced in a LinkedIn post.

In January, he took over the position at DON CIO from Jane Rathburn, who was promoted to principal deputy CIO.

In his post on the social media platform, Yeske mentioned the information technology modernization initiatives his team has implemented.

“I’m also deeply proud of the work this team has done over the past year and a half, which includes things like laying out our full technology strategy, designating the very first DON-wide enterprise IT service (the Naval Integrated Modeling Environment), creating Naval Identity Services, and articulating a vision and strategy for transforming our legacy global networks into a modern, data-centric ecosystem,” he wrote.

Yeske joined DON CIO in October 2021 as chief solutions architect.

He previously served as head of the expeditionary enterprise systems and services division at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic.

Prior to NIWC Atlantic, Yeske was head of future operations at the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters. He also served as a senior IT adviser at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The executive additionally held IT roles at SAIC and Northrop Grumman.

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Biden Eyes Gen. Eric Smith to Lead Marine Corps as Commandant
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Biden Eyes Gen. Eric Smith to Lead Marine Corps as Commandant

Gen. Eric Smith, assistant commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, is expected to be nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as head of the service branch, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Smith would succeed Gen. David Berger, who is set to retire after serving for four years as commandant of USMC, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff if confirmed by the Senate.

Sources familiar with the matter said the White House could disclose Smith’s nomination in the next few days.

Smith previously served as deputy commandant for combat development and integration and as senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense and secretary of defense.

He also served as head of Marine Corps Forces Southern Command, III Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division and Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

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Day & Zimmermann Selects Mike Bosco as SVP of Business Development for Government Services
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Day & Zimmermann Selects Mike Bosco as SVP of Business Development for Government Services

Mike Bosco has joined Day & Zimmermann as senior vice president of business development for government services.

The retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major will bring over 20 years of experience as a military and interagency leader to his new role, D&Z shared with ExecutiveGov in an email sent on Tuesday.

During his first of two decades of service in the Army, Bosco worked within the U.S. Special Operations Command and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Special Operations Command Pacific. He spent the second half of his military career in a Special Missions Unit.

Throughout his time in the Army, he also served with a number of Intelligence Community organizations as the single Department of Defense representative to forward intelligence operations and special activities regarding Foreign Intelligence Services cooperation.

His service has been recognized with multiple military and IC awards, including the Director of National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction and the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation.

After retiring from the military in 2012, Bosco carried his national security work to the private sector, where he has held numerous executive roles. He most recently served as senior vice president of Army mission solutions and C5ISR at Sev1Tech, and earlier, he headed Akima’s Emerging Markets Group as vice president.

Bosco has held additional leadership positions at Ops Tech Alliance, Altamira Technologies and BAE Systems.

His appointment follows several executive transitions within D&Z this year, including the January selection of Doug Magee as president of the organization’s Government Services Group.

More recently, D&Z added four former Central Intelligence Agency officials to its advisory board to guide the company’s mission-critical, worldwide operations for both public and private sector clients. These officials include Jeanne Foster, Mark Kelton, Stephen Perron and Phil Reilly.

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