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ColdQuanta’s Quantum Research as a Service Division Begins Custom Ion Trap System Project for Oak Ridge National Labs
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ColdQuanta’s Quantum Research as a Service Division Begins Custom Ion Trap System Project for Oak Ridge National Labs

ColdQuanta has begun work under its first Quantum Research as a Service Division project to build a Custom Ion Trap System for the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL).

The newly established QRaaS division, which operates alongside ColdQuanta’s Quantum Computing and Cold Atom Technology groups, will create an ion trapping system that utilizes a modular design to enable rapid testing of cryogenic electronics, system integration strategies and ion trap architectures, the company said Monday.

Max Perez, general manager of Quantum Research as a Service (QRaaS) for ColdQuanta said, “ORNL’s cryogenic ion trapping systems are the perfect type of project for ColdQuanta’s Quantum Research as a Service division because it furthers the adoption of quantum in familiar areas like computing, networking, and simulation.”

The company’s Custom Ion Trap System will leverage experimental hardware, system integration of vacuum hardware and trapped ion-utilizing experimental architectures to advance quantum research, drive quantum adoption at the federal level and enhance applications such as computing, timekeeping, networks and communications.

ColdQuanta’s ion trapping system will address known cryogenic system vacuum performance and noise issues with enhancements like a macroscopic vacuum chamber, an atomic source, thermal links, trapping electronics, a compact helical resonator and active and passive vacuum pumping mechanisms.

Recently, ColdQuanta was chosen to participate in the White House Summit on Quantum Industry and Society, a roundtable discussion with industry leaders and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in response to the Biden Administration’s identification of quantum computers and sensors as a critical technology in the nation’s future.

Perez additionally noted that the project with ORNL will further the QRaaS division’s mission of supporting government agencies and enterprises through the research, development and implementation of breakthrough quantum technologies.

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Robert Wood: CMS to Adopt Security-Oriented Standard for Software Bill of Materials
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Robert Wood: CMS to Adopt Security-Oriented Standard for Software Bill of Materials

Robert Wood, chief information security officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said that the CMS has started to lay the groundwork for how the agency incorporates a security-oriented software bill of materials into information systems, Nextgov reported Friday.

Wood told his audience at an Advanced Technology Academic Research Center-hosted event Thursday that adopting the CycloneDX model will support CMS' DevSecOps authorization and verification system, dubbed BatCAVE.

The object model covers an application's metadata, components, services, dependencies and compositions, according to the CycloneDX website.

CMS' move to implement the standard is part of its efforts to comply with a May cybersecurity order from the White House requiring a formal supply chain record of software parts from government suppliers.

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Treasury Counters Ransomware With Sanctions Compliance Guidance, Trend Analysis; Wally Adeyemo Quoted
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Treasury Counters Ransomware With Sanctions Compliance Guidance, Trend Analysis; Wally Adeyemo Quoted

The Department of the Treasury’s office of foreign assets control has released guidance outlining sanctions compliance best practices in the virtual currency industry as part of efforts to counter ransomware threats.

The brochure from OFAC provides an overview of sanctions requirements and best practices for technology companies, wallet providers, miners, exchangers and other operators in the sector and calls on industry stakeholders to integrate elements and controls in the guidance document into their sanctions compliance programs.

The department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a report, which found that ransomware poses a major threat to the public, financial sector and businesses.

The Ransomware Trends in Bank Secrecy Act Data report from FinCEN analyzed suspicious activity reports related to ransomware from Jan. 1 to June 30 and found that the average monthly amount of reported ransomware payments filed was approximately $100 million.

FinCEN uncovered 68 ransomware variants reported in SAR data for transactions during the first half of 2021 and found that Phobos, Avaddon, DarkSide, Conti and Revil/Sodinokibi were the most commonly reported ransomware variants.

“Treasury is helping to stop ransomware attacks by making it difficult for criminals to profit from their crimes, but we need partners in the private sector to help prevent this illicit activity,” said Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the Treasury.

FinCEN’s Financial Trend Analysis also discovered 177 convertible virtual currency wallet addresses used for ransomware-associated payments and identified ransomware money laundering typologies.

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Navy to Update Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Systems
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Navy to Update Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Systems

The U.S. Navy has moved forward with its follow-on efforts to modernize ocean and shore equipment used to train military personnel in anti-submarine operations.

Increments II and III of the Navy's Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) recapitalization and expansion projects will focus on updating sensors, electronics and facilities situated in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, Naval Air Systems Command said Friday.

USWTR systems are designed to help warfighters monitor surface or subsurface targets and offer a realistic training environment for military vessel and aircraft operators.

The branch awarded L3Harris Technologies a $393 million contract in August to support the installation of the second and third increments of underwater training infrastructure.

For Increment I, the company helped the Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges program office install subsystems located off the coast of Florida.

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NIST to Solicit Input on Potential Parameters, Goals for Supply Chain Security Framework; Jon Boyens Quoted
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NIST to Solicit Input on Potential Parameters, Goals for Supply Chain Security Framework; Jon Boyens Quoted

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is working on a supply chain security framework for the information and communications technology industry and plans to issue a request for information to seek input about goals, principles and potential parameters for the new framework, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“We really want the stakeholders to tell us where they think the biggest bang for the buck is, or the moonshot,” said Jon Boyens, deputy chief of NIST’s computer security division. 

NIST plans to address industry concerns when it comes to sharing sensitive supply chain security data with the government.

“One of our big questions I think we’ll put in the RFI is how to get a trust mechanism similar to what we’re doing in the software world: artifacts, evidence to achieve greater trust, to achieve greater assurance in the supply chain without sacrificing intellectual property,” Boyens said.

NIST has unveiled “recommended minimum standards” for software code testing since the release of the cybersecurity executive order in May and is collaborating with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on labeling initiatives to help consumers determine the security of software and internet of things devices.

Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations

ExecutiveBiz, sister site of GovConDaily and part of the Executive Mosaic digital media umbrella, will host a virtual event about securing the supply chain on Oct. 26. Visit ExecutiveBiz.com to sign up for the “Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations” event.

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CISA Warns of Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Security Threats
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CISA Warns of Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Security Threats

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Security Agency (NSA) and the FBI issued a joint advisory warning that threat actors are targeting hardware and software that support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure operations. 

CISA said Thursday that malicious cyber threats to information and operational technology networks, systems and devices could affect the sector's potable water delivery wastewater management efforts.

The alert states that cybercriminals are spearphishing personnel, exploiting unsupported and outdated operating systems and software, and capitalizing on control system devices with vulnerable firmware in an attempt to compromise facilities.

In the advisory, CISA listed five cyber incidents that occurred within the water industry between March 2019 August 2021 and attributed sector-specific intrusions to vulnerabilities associated with insider threats from employees with improperly managed credentials and ransomware attacks.

To defend against such threats, the agency and its federal partners recommended operators to conduct monitoring and adopt various mitigation practices related to remote access, networks safety systems, and planning and operational processes.

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White House Seeks to Advance Equity in Science and Technology With Ideation Challenge; Eric Lander Quoted
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White House Seeks to Advance Equity in Science and Technology With Ideation Challenge; Eric Lander Quoted

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has unveiled an ideation challenge meant to gather insights from the public about how to drive equity and inclusion in science and technology. 

The Time is Now: Advancing Equity in Science and Technology Ideation Challenge kicked off Thursday, Oct. 14th, on the Challenge.gov website and will run through Nov. 19 to collect ideas that could help incite actions and other efforts in the field of science and tech, the White House said Thursday.

“America’s future depends on science and technology like never before, and to address the extraordinary opportunities and challenges we face — to our health, our planet, our economic prosperity, and our national security — the United States will need to draw on all of its assets, chief among them our unrivaled diversity,” said Eric Lander, the president’s science adviser and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The challenge marks the second phase of OSTP’s Time is Now: Advancing Equity in Science and Technology program and does not come with a monetary prize.

“We need everybody to be able to participate in and contribute to science and technology because different experiences and perspectives are the bedrock of new scientific and technological insights, because having everybody on the team is essential to America’s global competitiveness in the 21st century, and, because it’s the right thing to do,” added Lander.

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SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene to Receive 2021 Good Scout Technology Award From Boy Scouts of America on Nov. 3rd
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SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene to Receive 2021 Good Scout Technology Award From Boy Scouts of America on Nov. 3rd

Nazzic Keene, CEO of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and four-time Wash100 Award winner, will receive the 2021 Technology Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America during the National Capital Area Council’s (NCAC) 24th Annual Good Scout Technology Award Luncheon on Nov. 3rd. 

The annual luncheon recognizes the most significant leaders of consequence who exemplify the values of the Scout Oath and Law in his or her daily life. The constituency includes top leaders from across the GovCon sector, federal landscape and specifically in the technology industry. 

Please visit the event website www.NCACBSA.org/Technology for registration details and sponsorship opportunities. 

This year’s luncheon will be held at the Tysons Corner Marriott beginning at noon with a light reception and will move on to the Good Scout Award presentation and lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. SAIC Board Director Bob Bedingfield will act as the Good Scout Chair for the event.

The luncheon will recognize Keene’s significant contributions towards the digital modernization efforts for SAIC, its customers and the IT modernization initiatives for government agencies across the federal landscape. 

Keene will receive the Good Scout Award and add to the highly prestigious history of honorees who have each practiced trustworthiness and loyalty in their professional and civic lives. Nazzic Keene joins fellow Good Scout Award recipients and Wash100 Award winners such as ManTech CEO Kevin Phillips, Mac Curtis, CNSI’s Todd Stottlemyer and more! 

More than 36,000 Scouts participated in outdoor adventures and camping activities that have a profound positive impact on physical and mental health. 

The Boy Scouts of America is consistently recognized as one of the most admirable non-profit organizations in the world. The young men and women of America will greatly benefit from the support of the GovCon industry.

Please visit the event website www.NCACBSA.org/Technology for registration details and sponsorship opportunities. Even if you don’t plan to attend the luncheon, you can make a donation to the organization or take advantage of sponsorship opportunities for the event.

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SpyCloud Wins 2021 Threat Detection Solution of the Year Award; Ted Ross Quoted
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SpyCloud Wins 2021 Threat Detection Solution of the Year Award; Ted Ross Quoted

CyberSecurity Breakthrough, a market intelligence organization that recognizes top talent in the global information security sector, has named SpyCloud as the winner of its 2021 “Overall Threat Detection Solution of the Year” award.

Noting the urgent market need for cyber attack prevention, SpyCloud co-founder and CEO Ted Ross said, “Cybercrime has come to the forefront of public consciousness with major supply chain attacks impacting the country’s infrastructure.” 

“Despite the urgency of the problem, most companies still struggle to detect and prevent cyberattacks that stem from the use of stolen credentials,” Ross continued.

SpyCloud’s account takeover prevention services perform rapid recovery of stolen data, alerting security teams upon the event of credential compromise and allowing the platform to proactively thwart identity-based cyber attacks like credit card fraud, ransomware and business email compromise.

James Johnson, managing director of CyberSecurity Breakthrough said, “SpyCloud’s unique combination of human intelligence, early data recovery and the largest collection of breach data in the industry allows businesses to find more compromises, stay ahead of hard-to-detect attacks, and protect employees, consumers, and their bottom line.”

The company houses a threat intelligence database of over 130 billion assets, 5.7 billion of which, including compromised credentials and personal identifiable information, were recovered by SpyCloud researchers last year alone.

SpyCloud recently powered an update to Identity Automation’s RapidIdentity platform to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and prevent identity-based attacks in K-12 schools and higher education institutions.

ExecutiveBiz will host its Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations event on October 26th, during which distinguished cybersecurity experts will gather to examine the historic 2020 Solarwinds cyber attack and share insights, strategies and solutions for improving prevention capabilities and reducing the risk of future attacks. 

Visit ExecutiveBiz.com to register for the Supply Chain Cybersecurity event and other upcoming GovCon webinars.

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GSA, DOE Seek Market Info on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tech
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GSA, DOE Seek Market Info on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tech

The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) want to identify market sources of retrofit technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gases. 

GSA said Tuesday in a SAM.gov notice that it seeks market information on technologies such as carbon capture, power generation, decarbonized heating and on-site energy production.

These technologies could help agencies better support the Biden Administration's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The government intends to implement these technologies across commercial buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Interested parties may submit responses through Dec. 7th. The government will evaluate responses based on the technology's decarbonization, energy efficiency and capacity to address energy challenges in underserved communities.

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