Federal IT executives are focused on the future.  And, as agencies consider modernization strategies and options, most agree that cloud will be a foundational component. While cloud conversations have been ongoing for many years, widespread use of cloud models remains a challenge.  There is still confusion about choices, migration paths, and which cloud offerings are […] […]

Catch up on some reading this weekend. Here are a few interesting items from MeriTalk.

The Department of Homeland Security’s long-standing plans to reorganize the National Protection Programs Directorate to better deal with the growing threat of cyberattacks on national critical infrastructure may have received the boost it needed this week to obtain congressional approval.

Initially, threat classification focused only on malware or botnets – leaving the majority of web traffic unrated, and agencies exposed to vulnerabilities. The unrated information quickly became a problem as the threat landscape continued to change – new threats emerged, more data collected, complex technologies introduced. “The damage factor can be much higher than before,” warned Chris Larsen, architect on the WebPulse Threat Research Team, Blue Coat.

Government agencies have moved more into the app- and cloud-centric culture that is increasingly common in most enterprises. Now, privileged rights previously reserved for an administrative user are undergoing a transition where those rights are being segregated among a number of administrators for role separation requirements. That makes user authentication more important than ever when […] […]

Catch up on some reading this weekend. Here are a few interesting items from MeriTalk.

Sinking our teeth into the Precision Medicine Initiative….New FedRAMP data and an upcoming dashboard application….Free guidance from GSA on how to get to the cloud….And smoother sailing for the CIA’s restructuring.

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Hurd Announces Move IT Act to Update Federal Systems The Federal government spends $86 billion a year on outdated Information Technology procurement. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said the bill would ensure that professionals across Federal agencies have up-to-date technologies. He also said that agencies will now be given an awareness of and access to the […] […]

Kavi Harshawat, a member of the U.S. Digital Service working at the VA, drops some truth about government work….Some good news and personnel info at VA.