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Watch on Washington Top 5- Nov/Dec

By Yejin Jang posted Dec 11,2017 03:30 PM

  
  1. FirstNet update Ohio and Vermont are the latest states to opt-in to FirstNet, bringing the total to 35 states and territories as of this writing. Colorado has selected Rivada Networks and Macquarie Infrastructure to build and maintain an alternative RAN if Governor Hickenlooper decides to opt-out. Note, the deadline to accept FirstNet's state plan or voice opt-out is December 28. 
     
  2. NTIA releases opt-out grant application The NTIA has released information on the application information necessary for opt-out states that seek grant funding from the agency to construct the state's RAN per their alternative plan (if approved by the FCC). The opt-out state must meet five (5) key statutory requirements related to ongoing interoperability, financial stability, technical ability, comparable timeline, cost effectiveness, and comparable security, coverage and quality of service to that of the NPSBN. Complete details on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is here.   
      
  3. Fed agencies mostly stagnant in IT modernization On November 15, the Subcommittees of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform heard testimony from GAO on the latest FITARA scorecard which measures federal agencies in several IT-related areas: agency CIO authority enhancements, transparency and risk management, portfolio review, data center optimization initiative and software licensing. Since the last time agencies were graded (June 2017), three agencies improved, fifteen agencies have remained stagnant and six agencies have declined in their overall FITARA grades. 

  4. Capitol Hill discusses identity verification The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing, "Identity Verification in a Post-Breach World," on November 30 where witnesses discussed moving beyond knowledge-based authentication (KBA). Witnesses also discussed the lack of accountability after a breach, proliferation of online threats including IoT and moving beyond identity verification via common verifiers like social security numbers or passwords. 

  5. ICYMI NGA-NASCIO letter on fed reg harmonization On November 6, NGA and NASCIO jointly sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney seeking engagement from his office on harmonizing cumbersome federal cyber regulations. The letter is signed by Governor Dayton (D-Minn.) and Minnesota CIO Tom Baden and Governor Greitens (R-Mo.) and Missouri Acting CIO Rich Kleithermes. Governors Dayton and Greitens lead NGA's homeland security and public safety committee.

    Read this month's edition of NASCIO Connections here!

#2018
#Newsletter
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