Smarter Gov Tech, Stronger MerITocracy

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. […]

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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. […]

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State Dept Official: AI Cyber Integration Begs Strong Fundamentals Work

While artificial intelligence (AI) tech has emerged as a game-changer in cybersecurity, one senior Federal official urged a degree of caution this week by saying that AI integration could do more harm than good without following strong foundational security practices. […]

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Lawmakers, Tech Leaders Weigh Shifting Cybersecurity Burdens

As cyber threats grow more advanced and pervasive, lawmakers and industry leaders are considering ways to shift cybersecurity burdens from victims to software providers, while at the same time deepening public-private partnerships to counter national security risks.  […]

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GPO Going Full Speed Ahead on XML-Driven Modernization

Amid the government-wide push to modernize legacy systems, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) is closing in on transiting from its print-heavy systems to a digital-first structured data workflow that makes Federal documents available across multiple platforms.   […]

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Federal Judge Approves DOGE Access to Treasury Systems

A Federal judge in New York ruled on Tuesday that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees can once again access sensitive payment systems at the Treasury Department. […]

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GSA Looking to Simplify Identity Proofing for Citizens

With the number of identity thefts on the rise, the General Services Administration (GSA) is looking to make identity proofing simple and easy for citizens when they access Federal government services online. […]

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Hegseth Limiting Pentagon’s Use of IT Consulting Contracts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is cracking down on the Defense Department’s (DoD) use of IT consulting contracts in an attempt to reduce reliance on outside firms and bolster the department’s in-house expertise. […]

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Musk Signing Off; DOGE Remains Until 2026

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk said Wednesday night that he will be stepping back from his official role with the White House’s cost-cutting agency that has a charter to operate through 2026. […]

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DoD Officials See Automation as Cornerstone for Zero Trust Goals

Automation is emerging as a key enabler in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) push toward creating zero trust security architectures, allowing for faster threat remediation and reduced operational burdens. […]

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White House Halts Grants for State UI System Modernization

The Trump administration has cancelled funding for a Department of Labor (DoL) grant program that was used to fund modernization efforts for states’ unemployment insurance (UI) systems that were overwhelmed with claims during the coronavirus pandemic.   […]

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NIST Creating New ‘Cyber AI Profile,’ Looking at AI Overlays

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a new “Community Profile” based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) that will provide guidance on the cybersecurity risks related to AI development and use. […]

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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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