Digital Government

Pentagon to Modify Hundreds of Contracts for COVID-19 Response

The Defense Department is ramping up the purchase of certain items, including ventilators, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Cybersecurity

Coronavirus Will Not Delay Pentagon’s Contractor Cybersecurity Program, Official Says

The Defense Department signed an agreement with an accreditation body for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Modernization

Amazon: Pentagon Trying to ‘Gerrymander’ JEDI Corrective Action

Amazon Web Services said the Pentagon’s plan to fix the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud contract is not enough. 

Digital Government

White House Updates Contracting and Technology Guidance for Federal Agencies  

During the coronavirus outbreak, the Veterans Affairs Department got a greenlight to rehire experts and the Justice Department clarified its stance on working in states with shelter-in-place orders. 

Cybersecurity

Regulators Say Maritime Industry’s Pandemic Plans Can Skip Cybersecurity Details

The Coast Guard stresses new guidance adds flexibility for compliance with existing security planning requirements.

Digital Government

Government’s Maximum Telework Policy Overlooks Contractors

Industry association pushes for the administration to issue guidance for flexibility and greater use of contractors during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Artificial Intelligence

Government Partnership Offers Cash Prizes for AI Tools That Support Coronavirus Research

A new open research database and artificial intelligence challenge will help the U.S. crowdsource its pandemic response.

Cybersecurity

Solarium Cyber Report Recommends New Government Structures, Major Policy Overhauls

Nonpartisan group recommends a new bureau to track cybersecurity metrics across government and the private sector.

Digital Government

Defense Firms Limit Travel, Adapt As Coronavirus Spreads

Singapore’s air show was a “ghost town,” but so far, the organizers of big U.S. trade shows are pressing ahead with their events.

Digital Government

Government and Tech Conferences Alter Plans Due to Coronavirus

Here’s a list of conferences canceling, postponing or switching to digital-only events due to the outbreak. 

Cybersecurity

Key Defense Supplier Hit by Ransomware

The hackers also allegedly stole sensitive documents from Visser Precision, which makes parts for Lockheed, Boeing, and SpaceX.

Emerging Tech

Will Flying Cars Help the US Beat China? The Air Force Hopes So.

Service officials say giving American manufacturers first-mover advantage is just as important as the military benefits of vertical-lift buses.

Digital Government

Industry Offers Quick Fixes For Major Pain Points In Security Clearance Process

The background investigations backlog and wait times are down, but contractors still see hurdles in getting people cleared for sensitive work.

Digital Government

NIST Expects to Create Privacy Guidelines for Smaller Organizations

National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Walter Copan offered insights in how the agency’s privacy framework came together and its future.

Cybersecurity

MITRE Piloting Evaluations to Validate Cybersecurity Firms’ Protection Claims 

The group will assess which firms can best detect and defend from adversaries that target banking transfers and ATMs.