FCW Insider: July 26, 2021

The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.

Senate NDAA pushes for more domestic production, increased cyber authorities

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the 2022 defense authorization bill, calling for more cyber authorities, tech-favoring acquisition policies, and domestic production of critical materials.

Comment: Modernizing human capital management systems

HCM software can help improve efficiency through self-service and automation, enable HR to better understand and address employee wellbeing and engagement, and prepare for the future while aligning people resources with the organization’s mission today.

House panel advances slate of cybersecurity bills

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said eight new bills will bring the United States "one step closer to a safer and more secure wireless future."

Quick Hits

*** Federal CIO Clare Martorana will be on Capitol Hill on Wednesday July 28 to talk FITARA compliance and IT modernization before the Government Operations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The hearing, led by subcommittee Chairman Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) is the twelfth in a series of biannual oversight meeting covering the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act.

*** Guy Cavallo, who was named acting CIO of the Office of Personnel Management when Clare Martorana left OPM to serve as federal CIO, has been named CIO of the federal human resources agency on a permanent basis.

*** As ransomware attacks continue to wreak havoc on police departments, school districts and city and county governments, some state legislators say they've had enough. Stateline has the story on potential ransomware payment bans, via FCW's sibling publication GCN.

NEXT STORY: Federal 100: Wanda Jones-Heath