As agencies embrace IT modernization, they need future ready tools to support mission strategies. Cloud-based solutions drive innovation, while endpoint strategies increase productivity. What’s next for Federal IT? How will modernization efforts shape the future of government services and achieve new efficiency? The Dell World 16 Federal track will explore these key questions, and more. […]
The General Services Administration recently launched its new big data management platform, Data to Decisions, to address and accomplish open data and transparency goals. […]
Telehealth, the delivery of health care services while the patient is at one site, and the licensed health provider is at another site, is here. But what does the future hold in terms of cost, coverage, consumer demands, and legislation? MeriTalk takes an in-depth look at those challenges, and talks with industry leaders. […]
MeriTalk sits down with Jim Custer, the director of product development in the health care division of Yorktel, for a Q&A on the techie side of telemedicine. […]
The Federal government spends $86 billion a year on outdated Information Technology procurement. With the Move IT Act of 2016, Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, wants to make a change. […]
According to the MeriTalk “Cloud Without the Commitment” report[1], 75 percent of Feds want to move more services to the cloud – but aren’t really ready to say “I do.” In fact, according to this study, 65 percent of agencies are not adequately prepared before they walk down the cloud aisle. As agencies approach cloud […]
High on Security: FedRAMP’s High Baseline: September 27, 2016 The Cloud transition is rolling in low-impact, systems. But what about high-impact, mission-critical workloads? Here comes the FedRAMP High Baseline. With three approved offerings, what’s the skinny on the High Baseline? What agencies are currently utilizing the offerings? What does it mean for IT, mission, procurement […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture received a C grade on its Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act scorecard, which was released in May. Flip Anderson, acting executive director of FITARA for USDA, was so frustrated with the FITARA grading system that he created his own scorecard to gauge how closely the USDA complies with the act’s mandates. […]
K-12 schools are increasingly turning to the cloud to store, manage, and process data. However, cloud adoption is not without its hurdles and concerns. CDW-G recently released a new infographic, “K-12 Cloud Possibilities,” that highlights the strides schools have made in moving to the cloud, as well as the obstacles still in their way. […]
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton issued an ambitious “Technology & Innovation” agenda to connect every U.S. household to the Internet by 2020 and offer entrepreneurs the option of deferring their student loans for up to three years as they launch their own businesses. […]
The recent upgrade to the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Big Data Platform (BDP), projected to release in August 2016, will give cyber operators and analysts with a need to run custom analytics on specific data sets access to increase ad-hoc query capabilities and enable faster identification of cyber threats. […]
Federal agencies can now use cloud computing systems to store their most sensitive, unclassified data, through the recent release of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program High Baseline.
“This release allows agencies to use cloud environments for high-impact data, including data that involves the protection of life and financial ruin,” said the FedRAMP announcement.
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Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., outlines the many dangers facing the government’s effort to modernize its aging IT infrastructure. But the time to act is now, he said. […]
In his keynote speech at the 2016 Cloud Computing Brainstorm, U.S. Chief Information Officer Tony Scott recalls his time working with the legendary Steve Jobs during Disney’s acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios, outlines his plan for modernizing the government’s aging IT infrastructure, and offers the possibility of staying in the CIO role longer. […]
FCC chairman Tom Wheeler expects everything to end up on the Internet of the future, and, as a result, is advocating a policy that will open up larger swaths of broadband spectrum to create a 5G network. […]
MeriTalk caught up with Mark Schwartz, the chief information officer at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the Department of Homeland Security, during the 2016 Akamai Government Forum in Washington, D.C. […]
In a review of its progress over the past nine months compared with the four years before that, the GSA released an infographic touting the increases in authorizations, re-uses, and use frequency of cloud service providers. […]
Taking the lead for 36 states, Utah is expected to issue a National Association of State Procurement Officials cloud computing contract in August that helps states get the best deal for equipment and software by bundling their shopping lists into a single bid. […]
Time may be running out on the Federal government’s plan to replace and modernize billions of dollars’ worth of legacy IT systems—some of which date back more than 40 years and control critical programs, including the U.S. military’s nuclear arsenal. […]
Cloud isn’t a new concept for government. Approximately 8.5 percent – or roughly $7 billion – of the government’s IT spending goes to provisioned services like cloud[1] today. But, even greater opportunity for savings is ahead, as agencies focus hard on legacy migration. The costs associated with maintaining outdated infrastructure have reached the impossible point. OMB’s […]
On June 15, 2016, MeriTalk held its fifth annual Cloud Computing Brainstorm at the Newseum in D.C. The event gathered more than 200 cloud thought leaders – industry and Federal alike – for a packed day of discussion and revelation. Event Abstract: The novelty of cloud is now reality across all corners of Federal IT. […]
Federal agencies 18F and the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) are desirable in theory but confusing and misdirected in practice, according to members and witnesses at the House Oversight Committee hearing on Friday. […]
In a disturbing trend, VA is losing the people battle….Get ready to brainstorm! MeriTalk is hosting some of the biggest names in government IT on June 15 at the annual Cloud Computing Brainstorm. […]
There’s no question Federal agencies are reaping benefits from the cloud – improved speed and agility, reduced complexity, and cost savings. But, as Federal mandates propel cloud forward, some welcome the boost, while others have cold feet. What’s causing Feds to warm up to the cloud? And what steps are they taking to realize its benefits? […]
Hybrid Cloud Transformation to support The Data Center Optimization Initiative: January 25, 2017 OMB sent a clear message with the release of its Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI) – it wants to see clear, measurable cost savings from agency data consolidation efforts and it wants to see them soon. But where will these agencies realize […]
Less than three months after a wave of negative feedback from industry forced the General Services Administration to revamp the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, a new MeriTalk survey shows for the first time that many government IT officials doubt the value of the program in its current form. […]
If cloud computing is the future of government information technology, then Cisco may be one of the most relevant companies in Washington, D.C. Cisco’s FedRAMP authorization—granted by the Department of Health and Human Services—represents a significant development for both the company and the government. […]
FedRAMP Director Matt Goodrich said some Federal agencies may have refused to share a FedRAMP ATO granted to a CSP, but that’s only a small part of the story behind one of the major shortcomings of the FedRAMP program. One theory: It’s not that agencies are refusing to share—it’s that cloud service providers are failing to capture new business. […]
Food and Drug Administration CIO Todd Simpson is working toward a new tech-savvy agency by creating programs specifically aimed at technological innovation. “I created a separate, stand-alone innovations office that speeds new technologies into the CTO shop once they’re approved,” he said. These technologies include various Apple and Android phones, applications, and tablets. […]