Federal CIO Kent Announces Cyber Reskilling Academy
Federal CIO Suzette Kent this morning announced creation of the Federal Cyber Reskilling Academy–a joint effort of the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Education, and the Federal CIO Council Workforce Committee–to kickstart the Federal government’s efforts to address gaps in the Federal cybersecurity workforce and help retrain Federal employees. […]
Feds Reach IT Modernization Tipping Point
A new report from MeriTalk and the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) finds that Federal finance, IT, and procurement experts believe we’ve reached an IT modernization tipping point. […]
DHS Launches ICT Sector Supply Chain Risk Task Force
The Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 30 announced launch of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force, which the agency said is charged with developing “consensus recommendations” to identify and manage risk to the global ICT supply chain. […]
DHS’ Manfra Discusses FISMA Update, Impact to CDM
Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security, said today that the new update to Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) guidance will place even more accountability on department leaders and reflects an evolution in discussions between agencies and DHS. […]
Space Force Unveils New Data, AI Action Plan
The U.S. Space Force has unveiled an action plan to transform the service branch into a more data-driven and AI-enabled force and improve its ability to maintain space superiority. […]
GAO Details Cloud, Process Automation Efforts
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is taking steps to use cloud-based services and implement automated processes into its capabilities that the government watchdog uses to assess Federal agencies’ operations, a GAO official said on March 18. […]
Rep. Green Demands Answers From CISA on China Cyber Threats
House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., is pressing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for answers on the government’s efforts taken to address cyber threats emanating from China, and demanding proof of action as concerns mount over Beijing-linked hackers infiltrating U.S. infrastructure and networks. […]
DoD Cuts 21K Civilian Employees, 40K More to Meet Reduction Goal
The Department of Defense (DoD) has cut nearly 21,000 civilian employees as part of its ongoing workforce reduction effort, with about 40,000 more cuts needed to meet its goal of trimming up to 8 percent of its civilian workforce, according to a Pentagon official. […]
House Democrats Toss FOIA Into DOGE Data Fight
Two prominent House Democrats said today they are using a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in their continuing battle to drill down into how the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) is operating across Federal government agencies. […]
Cyber Apprenticeship, Contractor Wage Orders Get Trump Axe
President Donald Trump’s blizzard of 18 Biden-era executive order cancellations on March 14 includes orders that had raised the minimum wage for Federal contractors to $15 per hour, and created registered apprenticeship opportunities within the Federal government including for cybersecurity positions. […]
Google Buying Cloud Security Provider Wiz for $32 Billion
Google LLC said today it agreed to buy Wiz – a New York-based cloud security platform provider – for $32 billion in cash in a bid to expand the offerings of its Google Cloud business. […]
Rep. Garbarino Wants More Transparent Cyber Safety Review Board
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to examine the structure of the agency’s Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) as it considers reconstituting the board, with an eye to increasing transparency of how its members are selected and which cybersecurity incidents the board chooses to investigate. […]
Tech Leaders Tell Trump to Keep AI Regulations Light
As the Trump administration drafts its artificial intelligence action plan, industry leaders are advocating for clear, risk-based regulations to prevent unnecessary restrictions on AI-driven cybersecurity and enterprise applications. […]
IRS Firings Imperil Refunds, Tech Upgrades, Former Employees Say
The mass firings of IRS employees are putting at risk the agency’s ability to issue timely refunds and answer taxpayer questions – along with threatening to reverse recent upgrades to some of the agency’s antiquated technology – former IRS managers said on March 11. […]
With 80 percent of every Federal IT dollar spent on life support for legacy systems, the Federal IT community is exploring new options to modernize and innovate – virtualization, cloud computing, Flash technology, software-defined options, shared services, and more. MeriTalk is staying close to the leaders on the front lines, bringing you new ideas and lessons learned.
And, as Federal IT leaders work to meet demands of an “always-on” highly mobile government, we bring you the stories and breaking news on balancing productivity with security. Our government IT news includes how agencies manage advanced persistent threats, and the steps that help guard against socially engineered threats. We look at the latest trends in malware, spyware, ransomware, and spear phishing. And – how can Federal agencies protect data from tomorrow’s cyber threats?
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