FCW Insider: July 17

CISA releases emergency directive on wormable DNS flaw

The directive orders civilian federal agencies to immediately begin patching a critical Remote Code Execution flaw in Windows DNS servers.

COVID-19 pandemic underscores need to invest in federal IT systems

Lawmaker calls state of legacy systems "criminal."

U.S., U.K., Canada warn that Russian intelligence targeting COVID vaccine data

Cozy Bear is back, this time using spearphishing, public exploits and custom malware to break into organizations involved in developing a vaccine for the raging pandemic.

IRS gets high marks for fraud and identity theft initiatives

A layered approach combining software, public-private partnerships and innovative pilot programs have saved billions of dollars from ending up in the hands of criminals and fraudsters, according to a new audit.

Quick Hits

*** The U.S. Office of Special Counsel this week declared that federal employees may wear or display Black Lives Matter paraphernalia in the workplace.  Since  "BLM terminology is issue-based, not a campaign slogan," the guidance states, it does not violate Hatch Act prohibitions of on-the-job political activity. 

*** A second major trade association representing government contractors is pushing for additional help in managing costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington Technology has the full story.

*** Tune in this morning to Washington Technology's event on human capital lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the social justice movement

*** Today is the final day to submit  Government Innovation Award nominations. Get yours in, and ensure that the most innovative government projects, disruptive companies and individual Rising Stars get the recognition they deserve.