Defense

DOD pushes cloud buyers to JWCC

The Defense Department's top tech official directed defense agencies to tap the multi-vendor Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract for new cloud acquisitions and is requiring all top-secret cloud buys across the Pentagon and military services to use the vehicle for top secret capabilities.

Acquisition

GSA considers changing the way it pays for cloud software

The agency is exploring how it can best align industry payment practices for software-as-a-service offerings on its own IT Multiple Award Schedule.

Emerging Tech

Enhanced cybersecurity a top reason for agencies embracing emerging tech, study says

General Dynamics Information Technology’s survey of 425 federal employees found that 65% of federal agencies were “moderately to extremely ready to embrace emerging technologies.”

Modernization

State Department wants IT support for modernizing its consular systems

The department is conducting market research for modernization capabilities to help improve customer experience at passport agencies, its global queueing system and embassy and consulate waiting areas.

Digital Government

The fight for the future of cloud

The Federal Trade Commission got an earful from managed services providers, trade groups and antitrust activists about cloud business practices.

Digital Government

AWS unveils edge device for Defense customers in most extreme environments

The 80-pound AWS ‘Snowblade’ device provides cloud services to end users at all classification levels while meeting the military’s highest ruggedization standards.

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft unveils OpenAI service for government customers

Microsoft is opening up its commercial generative AI technology to public sector customers and partners.

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence

Meet Google Public Sector’s New Board of Directors

Dave Goldfein, retired general and former Air Force chief of staff, will serve as the board’s chairman, alongside professionals with backgrounds in defense and intelligence, technology, education, health care and state and local government.

Digital Government

A Classified Cloud Is Headed to the Indo-Pacific

It’s part of DISA’s effort to bring continental-U.S.-level computing resources to U.S. military forces around the world.

Digital Government

Inside The Neverending Race To Update The Pentagon’s IT

The Joint Service Provider, charged with handling the defense secretary’s IT, is laser-focused on improving security and making sure infrastructure doesn’t obstruct the mission.

Digital Government

Ball Aerospace, Loft Federal and Microsoft to Team on Space Development Agency Program

The companies are supporting the Space Development Agency’s National Defense Space Architecture Experimental Testbed program, which will begin launching satellites in 2024.

Cybersecurity

IRS System Doesn’t Meet All Cloud Security Requirements, Watchdog Says

Treasury’s Inspector General found the IRS did not meet requirements like malicious code protection and timely risk mitigation.

Digital Government

FTC Seeks Info on Cloud Computing Market’s Influence

The Federal Trade Commission is asking for public feedback about the market power of cloud computing providers, among other information.

Digital Government

What's the Secret to Getting to the Cloud? Just do it

On the heels of a new federal cloud report, OPM officials tell The Partnership for Public Service what they learned in adopting cloud services and how to get started.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Criminals Are Increasingly Exploiting Cloud Environments, Report Finds

A new CrowdStrike report found that hackers and digital adversaries are relying less on malware, and more on unpatched vulnerabilities and data weaponization.

Modernization

Good Government Report Details 5 Components of a Successful Cloud Strategy

The report—based on agency use cases—found that a successful strategy includes planning, testing, security, transformation and optimization.

Cybersecurity

DOD IG: Officials Failed to Identify Security Risks When Authorizing Cloud Services

An audit conducted by the Defense Department’s inspector general found agency components “may be unaware of known vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks associated with operating their systems or storing their data.”

Digital Government

Microsoft Office 365 Now Available to Customers at Secret Classification

Microsoft’s productivity suite is now available at a more secure classification level.

Digital Government

Lack of Cloud Backups Poses a ‘Real Problem’ for Data Protection, Expert Says

A Veeam report found that a third of IT leaders did not think their cloud data needed to be backed up for security.