Weekly Roundup: August 9-13, 2021
Submitted by MKeegan on Fri, 08/13/2021 - 13:54
Friday, August 13, 2021
Fed Experts Call for More Specificity in Cyber Threat Data Sharing. During an August 9 event hosted by Government Executive, Federal experts shared how agencies and the private sector can work together to improve the sharing of threat data. The biggest challenge in the information sharing space is “a lack of a lot of specific use cases,” according to Cheri Caddy, senior advisor for cybersecurity at the Department of Energy (DoE). Caddy stressed that the conversation can oftentimes feel like an “endless loop” of sharing entities asking for every piece of threat data available.
A tribute to Soraya Correa, DHS' procurement icon. Steve Kelman reflects on a 40-year career that brought real innovation to federal acquisition.
CBP Setting up AI Innovation Center, CIO Bhagowalia Says. The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) organization is setting up a new CBP artificial intelligence center of innovation (COI) that will build on the agency’s increasing use of automation technologies, CBP CIO Sonny Bhagowalia said at an FCW event on August 11.
State Department OIG Audit Finds Progress, More Work for IRM Bureau. The State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found in a follow-up audit that the agency’s Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) has taken corrective action on one of several recommendations the OIG made in 2016 to improve IT management practices, but said the bureau still has work to do on another four recommendations.
GSA TTS Plans Hiring Spree to Meet Booming Agency Service Demand. The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Technology Transformation Services (TTS) organization is planning to hire more than 100 new people this year – representing a 28 percent jump in headcount – to meet booming agency demand for its services to numerous Federal agencies.
How COVID-19 Accelerated VA’s Digital Transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accelerate its digital transformation efforts in a way that wasn’t possible before the public health crisis, a VA official said this week, while explaining how the agency quickly adapted to become more agile and take advantage of previous investments in digital transformation solutions.
Telework Led to More Employee Engagement and Digital Savviness, Experts Say. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced Federal agencies to quickly move to a remote environment, Federal and private sector leaders say the shift to telework provided valuable benefits, such as increased leadership and employee engagement, as well as digital savviness among employees.
Hybrid Platforms Seen as Best Approach to Cloud Modernization, Feds Say. For some Federal agencies, taking a hybrid approach to cloud modernization is the best path forward in protecting data, as well as helping to manage costs.
5 considerations leaders must make for remote workers. The post-pandemic world of work requires leaders to check their assumptions about what makes a good employee, especially because those beliefs might really be biases toward in-person work, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. She also offers advice on how to reassess meetings, communication, expectations and community. SmartBrief/Leadership
What pilots can teach us about leadership. Airline pilots are focused on the details, think ahead about potential danger and help each other grow, writes Octavian Pantis. "By doing this over and over, we make the profession better, we make flying safer and our own jobs just a little bit easier," Pantis writes. CEOWorld Magazine
Use this scenario-planning tool to identify problems. The Cynefin framework categorizes business scenarios into five categories, ranging from simple to unknown, and can help leaders identify where they are and what actions are needed. Even with that framework, be careful not to default to a singular solution, such as viewing everything as complex or wanting to delay action. NOBL Academy
Using “trust networks” to address the trust deficit in government. Trust in government is vital but steadily eroding. To rebuild trust, governments should first understand the drivers of trust, and then work with an ecosystem where each stakeholder adheres to high standards of trustworthy behavior.
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Next Week on The Business of Government Hour: A Conversation with Maria Roat, Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). What is next for IT modernization and digital transformation within the U.S. federal government? Will there be changes to the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF)? How can federal technology transform the way government agencies operate and deliver services. Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Maria Roat, Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer within the Office of Management and Budget.
Broadcast Schedule: The show airs Monday at 11 a.m., and Friday at 1 p.m. on Federal News Network 1500AM WFED
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