NATO tests, Eshoo loses and Massachusetts challenges
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
NATO conducts its largest cyber exercise ever
NATO is holding a three-day, multinational exercise that will evaluate its ability to defend its network against a series of cyberattacks.
"This exercise will test our systems to make sure that NATO keeps pace with that evolving threat and that the skills and expertise of our cyber specialists are fully up to the task," said Sorin Ducaru, NATO's assistant secretary general for emerging security challenges, in a statement.
About 400 technical, government and cybersecurity experts are participating in the exercise across NATO countries and allies. This is the first time academic and industry observers have been invited to the annual exercise.
Eshoo loses bid for leadership spot on energy committee
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) has lost her bid to be ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.).
Eshoo, who represents part of Silicon Valley and has been active on federal IT issues, introduced a bill in July that would restructure IT procurement by establishing a pilot program in the Office of Management and Budget to review select projects for cost overruns.
Pallone, who has more seniority than Eshoo, has been more active on health care issues.
Galactic Grant Competition to fund space station research
Massachusetts announced a Galactic Grant Competition for life science companies based in the commonwealth to conduct research on the International Space Station, GCN reported.
The competition will accept applications from Dec. 1, 2014, through April 3, 2015, and encourages companies to take advantage of the distinct opportunities that the ISS research platform offers.