FCW Insider: Sept. 2

CISA bug bounty directive awaits White House blessing

A draft policy from the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency instructing agencies to create vulnerability disclosure programs to allow third-party bug hunters to flag security vulnerabilities in federal systems is all-but-completed, sources say.

Air Force looks to bridge tech valley of death for small businesses

The service's acquisition chief hopes to change how small businesses interact with the service through its innovative research program and eventually adopting the In-Q-Tel model.

OMB tees up supply chain regs

The interim regulation sets down rules for excluding vendors from federal procurement if an interagency panel deems them untrustworthy.

Quick Hits

*** Washington Technology released its annual Top 100 list, a ranking of government contractors based on their prime contracts for IT, systems integration, professional services and other technology products and services.

*** The accrediting body charged with developing standards and training for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity program is one step closer to doling out certifications to suppliers. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body signed a memorandum of understanding with Dun & Bradstreet to perform financial and ownership background checks for those seeking to become accredited suppliers. The background checks are now part of the CMMC-AB's application process and available to certified professionals, certified third party assessors, registered provider organizations, registered practitioners, and licensed publishing partners.

*** House Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.) sent a letter Sept. 1 to demand that John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence, resume a schedule of in-person, classified briefings for lawmakers covering election security and election interference issues. "If you are unwilling to resume election-related intelligence briefings to Congress, we will have no choice but to consider the full range of tools available to compel compliance," the letter warned. Schiff chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Visclosky chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds defense.

*** The U.S. Postal Service filed a patent application last month seeking recognition for the invention of a blockchain-based voting system.