Government IT News For VARs — December 17, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, the White House is looking for ways to strengthen cybersecurity without legislation, the Energy Department’s new app is powered by crowdsourcing, and the Turla Trojan has now been found on Linux systems. Also, the federal IT contract forecast is murky, and a new bill wants to prevent backdoor access to technology by law enforcement.
White House Considering Information Sharing With Private Sector To Aid Cybersecurity
This article from Fed Tech Magazine examines the latest deliberations by the White House to strengthen cybersecurity, with a focus on boosting information sharing between the private sector and government agencies. Disappointed that no cybersecurity legislation has been passed, White House homeland security and counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco has pledged that the executive branch is committed to finding ways to secure critical systems, including creating organizations similar to the Information Sharing and Analysis Centers.
Energy Department’s Public Safety App Is Powered By Crowdsourcing, Open Data
This article from Fed Tech Magazine explores how crowdsourcing and open data are being tapped by the Energy Department to power its Public Safety app, which provides a foundation for emerging best practices in federal mobile app development. The latest in a number of government-backed efforts to boost emergency response by using mobile apps and web-based tools, the app — called Lantern Live — allows users to locate fuel, report the status of gas stations, and access power-outage maps from local utility companies. It also offers tips for managing severe-weather events.
Turla Trojan Discovered On Linux Systems
According to the e-Commerce Times, Kapersky Lab reported that a new Trojan called Turla has been found on Linux Systems in two different forms. According to experts, the Linux Turla could be far more dangerous than its Windows counterpart. Originating in Russia, the Turla Trojans are suspected to be government-funded according to Rob Enderle, a principal analyst at the Enderle Group.
Federal IT Contract Forecast Is Unclear
The e-Commerce Times reported that federal agencies will have to be watching IT budgets very closely over the next several years, as funding remains scarce. That means the implementation of a series of complex contracting procedures to maintain discipline in spending — something that IT vendors must take into consideration when bidding on contracts. While the market is expected to rebound by 2020, in the meantime, many industry forecasters predict that bargain pricing will be the standard for most agencies.
Senate Bill Prohibits Government-Mandated Backdoors
A new Senate bill would counter government officials who try to bypass encryption in technology products by prohibiting government-mandated backdoors or security holes in all U.S. software and hardware products, according to Information Week. Called the Secure Data Act, it is designed to protect consumers from independent and state-backed hackers in response to calls by some government officials to allow the compromising of technology by law enforcement.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Government IT Resource Center.