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Cloud Computing Brainstorm 2019 - Mason McDaniel MeriTalk Interview: Six-Year Trek to All-Cloud Nears Finish Line at ATF
Enduring success in the drive to foundational improvements in IT systems and infrastructure seldom comes fast, cheap, or easy – or without plenty of lessons to share for the next agency in line that is driving toward similar goals.
  • cybersecurity CISA, NSA Issue Guidance to Properly Configure PowerShell
    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), along with international partners, published guidance last week for cyber defenders that advises them to not remove PowerShell – Microsoft’s built-in command-line tool with Windows – but to properly configure it.
  • DoD DoD Cyber Leaders Shooting for May 2023 CMMC Contracts Debut
    Cybersecurity leaders from the Defense Department (DoD) are providing some more clarity on the timeline for implementation of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, and said they expect CMMC requirements could begin appearing in solicitations for government contracts as early as May 2023.
  • Air Force Air Force Continuing Work on ‘Revolutionary’ Zero Trust Effort
    The U.S. Air Force AFNet Sustainment and Operations Branch – in collaboration with the Air Combat Command (ACC) Directorate of Cyberspace and Information Dominance and the Platform One team– is driving toward developing a modern software-based perimeter that will deliver zero trust capabilities to applications across the service branch, an Air Force official said.
Recent News
  1. The Pentagon is a very large building that houses a lot of the authorities for the U.S. Military. It's big. This photo doesn't do it justice, but they're kinda rightly concerned about people flying drones around there. The Evolution of Government Tech Procurement Under CMMC 2.0
    By: Kyle Dimitt, Principal Engineer, Compliance Research at LogRhythm Supply chain attacks have been on the rise across the globe, as we saw with targeted attacks against SolarWinds and Kaseya. The spike has created a large risk in the Federal government since industry supply chains don’t necessarily have to adhere to a set level of […]
  2. Senate Bill Aims to Protect Citizens’ Data from Hostile Governments
    Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate on June 23 aims to create new rules for bulk exports of U.S. citizens’ personal data that would help protect that data from use by hostile foreign governments.
  3. FCC FCC Broadband Data Task Force Announces Access to Collection System
    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Data Task Force announced that fixed and mobile broadband providers in the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) may obtain early access to certain portions of the system to enter identifiable information in advance of the broadband availability data filing window on June 30.
  1. Subcommittee Wrestles with Quantum Computing and Deepfakes Issues
    The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection and Innovation was given recommendations by experts to mitigate the problems that deep fakes and quantum computers pose for the United States.
  2. MerITocracy 2021 Countdown to MerITocracy: Reshaping the Workforce Curve with DEIA
    In the lead-up to the July 21 forum, we are table-setting a host of big issues that will get serious attention at MerITocracy 2022. The overarching question we are asking is this: can technology innovation – coupled with the boldest kind of leadership – work together to start fixing the most intractable problems facing America?
  3. NSC Cyber Official Hunting for Unified Identity Technology
    Amit Mital, senior director for cybersecurity and policy on the White House’s National Security Council (NSC), is on the hunt for a unified and trusted secure digital identity technology that he said has the potential to dramatically reduce identity-based fraud and the success of attempted ransomware attacks.
  4. Senate Panel Approves IC Funding Bill With Tech, Cyber Focus
    The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 22 unanimously approved the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 to authorize funding, provide legal authorities, and enhance congressional oversight for the U.S. intelligence community (IC).
  1. Gen. Bradley Pyburn Named Chief of Staff at USCYBERCOM
    Brig. Gen. Bradley L. Pyburn took over as new Chief of Staff at U.S. Cyber Command on June 9.
  2. GAO Prods HHS on Long-Delayed Health Awareness Network
    Fifteen years after Congress approved legislation requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a public health situational awareness network to facilitate information sharing about public health threats, the agency has made little progress toward making that project a reality.
  3. Biden Signs VA EHRM Transparency Act
    President Biden on June 23 signed into law the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act that aims to increase the transparency of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) problematic Electronic Health Records Modernization (EHRM) program through regular reporting requirements.
  4. BAE Gets $699 Million DoD Supercomputing Contract
    BAE Systems has been awarded a five-year contract worth $699 million by the Department of Defense (DoD) to help operate and maintain a network of high-performance computers that are used for scientific and engineering endeavors.
  5. SolarWinds Report Cites Complexities in Hybrid IT Implementation
    The accelerated move toward digital transformation spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be challenging to many as they have further embraced hybrid IT structures, according to a recent report from SolarWinds.
  6. Rep. Swalwell: Workforce Improvements Hinge on Mobility, Equity
    To strengthen the Federal workforce, it’s important to first understand what deters people’s interest in working for the government, and then take action to redress those grievances, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said on June 22. 
  7. State Dept. Seeking Feedback on Procurement Forecasting App
    The State Department is seeking feedback from industry on requirements for building a procurement forecasting application that would provide vendors with status updates on potential future requirements and acquisition activities.
  8. MeriTalking: What Happened This Week – Ep. 71
    FY23 DoD funding moves forward, TMF Board funds zero trust security projects, IRS expands use of AI-powered bots, and more. For more news and insights on today’s mission-critical IT challenges, check us out on MeriTV.
  9. CISA Chief to Weigh Findings on Workforce, Chief People Officer
    Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly is considering a big basket of recommendations delivered this week by the agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, including suggestions that the agency boost its workforce development and acquisition efforts and establish a new chief people officer position.
  10. Pentagon Releases Responsible AI Strategy
    The Department of Defense (DoD) published its Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) Strategy and Implementation Pathway (S&I) today, providing a clear path forward for the Pentagon’s AI efforts.