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. […]
Unions Challenge Trump Administration ‘Loyalty Test’ in Federal Hiring
A coalition of unions representing federal workers is challenging a “loyalty question” on applications for federal government jobs that asks about alignment with the Trump administration agenda. […]
AI, Cost-Cutting Drive Largest October Layoffs Since 2003
American employers announced the highest number of October layoffs since 2003 – with artificial intelligence (AI) a major factor, according to a new report. […]
Industry Leaders Say CMMC Rollout Redefines Security, Accountability Across the DIB
The Pentagon will officially launch the phased rollout of its long-awaited Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program on Nov. 10. […]
OPM, NSF Defer Job Obligations for CyberCorps Graduates Amid Shutdown
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and National Science Foundation (NSF) will grant “mass deferment” for CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) graduates seeking job placements as the government shutdown continues. […]
CISA Green-lights Workforce Reductions Despite Court Injunction
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is moving ahead with planned reductions in force (RIFs), even after a federal judge filed a preliminary injunction aimed at blocking many of the layoffs. […]
DOD Begins Rollout of CMMC on Nov. 10: Here’s What You Need to Know
After years in development, the Pentagon is set to launch the phased rollout of its long-awaited Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program next week. The question now is: Is industry ready? […]
Treasury Sanctions North Korean Hackers, Companies in Major Cybercrime Sweep
The Department of Treasury’s economic and trade sanction office on Tuesday sanctioned eight people and two organizations from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) responsible for conducting high-level cyber-enabled espionage cyberattacks. […]
Bipartisan Senators Unveil Bill Requiring AI Layoff Reporting
Federal agencies and large companies would need to report layoffs due to artificial intelligence (AI) under new legislation introduced Wednesday by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo. […]
Longest Government Shutdown in History Deepens Strain on Federal Workforce
The government shutdown reached its 36th day on Wednesday – the longest in U.S. history – leaving federal employees frustrated, financially strained, and demoralized. […]
OIG: CFPB’s Cybersecurity Program ‘Not Effective,’ Citing Lapses in IT Asset Oversight
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) overall information security program is ineffective, and the agency continues to face challenges safeguarding and tracking its IT equipment, according to two recent reports from the CFPB’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). […]
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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