Author Archive

Chris Riotta

Staff Writer

Chris Riotta
Chris Riotta is a staff writer at FCW covering government procurement and technology policy. Chris joined FCW after covering U.S. politics for three years at The Independent. He earned his master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he served as 2021 class president.
Business

Intelligence Agencies Seek Better Ways to Buy IT and Emerging Tech

Many contracting offices are short-staffed, even though nearly 80% of the IC's budget goes to contractors.

Policy

Delete TikTok by March 29, White House Tells Feds

The Office of Management and Budget responds to a congressional push to ban the popular Chinese social-networking app from government devices.

Policy

DOD to Favor Small-Business Contracts Over 'Best-in-Class' Awards

Contracting officers will prioritize goals for small- and disadvantaged-business contracting over BIC objectives "if achievement of both goals is not possible."

Threats

CISA's Cyber Info-Sharing Program Didn't Always Deliver, Watchdog Says

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is supposed to give more than 300 agencies and firms the info they need to fix vulnerabilities. That hasn't always happened, the DHS inspector general found.

Threats

National Archives Recovered More than 100 Classified Documents from Trump in January

The 700-plus pages of classified material included documents relating to special access programs – some of the nation's most closely held secrets.

Defense Systems

DOD Failing to Track Progress on Military Alternatives to GPS, GAO Says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Policy

Cyber Looms Large in House NDAA

From establishing the National Digital Reserve Corps to setting term limits at CISA, here’s what you need to know about the tech and cyber amendments currently featured in the House version of the FY2023 NDAA.

Threats

Agencies Must Measure Cybersecurity Improvements, Report Says

Federal agencies tasked with critical infrastructure risk management aren't measuring improvements made by the adoption of new guidelines, according to a watchdog report.

Defense Systems

CISA issues emergency directive to patch Log4j flaw

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released an emergency directive on Friday ordering all federal agencies to take immediate action against a critical security flaw with potential long-term consequences for public and private infrastructure.

Defense Systems

CISA draws plans for more secure federal civilian email

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency wants to beef up federal civilian email security with CISA-provisioned threat hunting and incident response efforts, according to a request for information published last week.

Defense Systems

Federal government is still in the dark on ransomware

Information on the majority of ransomware attacks targeting American companies and civilian agencies remains unreported to the Department of Homeland Security, a top cyber official told lawmakers.

Defense Systems

FBI wants input on cyber reporting legislation

A top FBI cyber official told lawmakers on Tuesday that the bureau could face significant challenges addressing cyberattacks and ransomware incidents if it was not included in breach disclosure requirements being considered in legislation.

Defense Systems

CISA directive requires vulnerability fixes in 6 months

A new binding operational directive puts federal civilian agencies on a six-month clock to remediate known vulnerabilities.

Defense Systems

CISA's new talent management system could boost cyber recruitment

Despite increasing competition among the public and private sectors in hiring top cyber talent, CISA Director Jen Easterly said she has high hopes for a new personnel management system which reduces friction in hiring and offers new career paths.

Defense Systems

Federal contractors have until Dec. 8 to get COVID vaccine

New COVID-19 guidance directs federal contractors and subcontractors to make sure their employees are vaccinated — the latest in a series of new vaccine requirements the White House has been rolling out in recent weeks.

Defense Systems

Chris Inglis outlines blueprint for federal cyber priorities

The newly installed National Cyber Director offered his take on the roles and responsibilities of his office, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the National Security Council and agency IT and security operations in responding to federal cyber incidents.

Defense Systems

White House hits the gas on zero trust

Newly released strategy and technical guidance documents covering zero trust and cloud security are open for comment as part of a federal push to improve federal government cybersecurity.

Defense Systems

State Department expands push to the cloud

The State Department wants to go all in on the cloud, starting with a new multiplatform toolset to add flexibility and innovation to IT services.

Defense Systems

CISA launches joint cyber defense effort

The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative aims to help the U.S. defend against threats to critical infrastructure through information-sharing and defense operations planning.

Defense Systems

National cyber director backs new Bureau of Cyber Statistics

The White House is still considering whether to support the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendation to establish a Bureau of Cyber Statistics, National Cyber Director Chris Inglis said on Monday, while stressing the urgent need for the federal government to begin assessing and publishing data on cybersecurity incidents.