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A new rule could allow one department secretary to ban certain tech buys

The Department of Commerce | November 26, 2019

A proposed rule will allow a government department’s secretary to block the purchase of foreign technology that pose an “undue” risk to the U.S. information and communications infrastructure. The rule, published by the Department of Commerce Nov. 26, establishes procedures for Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to “identify, assess, and address” information and communication technology (ICT) transactions he deems risky to national security. The proposed rule stems from an executive order President Donald Trump signed on May 15, which gave the secretary the authority to prohibit or mitigate transactions that involve ICT technology developed or supplied by entities located in adversarial nations.

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Beyond the VPN: Zero Trust Access for a Federal Hybrid Work Environment

The virtual private network (VPN) has been a powerful tool in the network security administrator’s toolbox for decades, because it has provided a means for remote computers to communicate securely across an untrusted network such as the internet. Whether for branch offices communicating with headquarters (siteto-site), or an employee working from home (remote access), the VPN provided a secure point-to-point tunnel back to resources on protected networks.

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Spotlight

Beyond the VPN: Zero Trust Access for a Federal Hybrid Work Environment

The virtual private network (VPN) has been a powerful tool in the network security administrator’s toolbox for decades, because it has provided a means for remote computers to communicate securely across an untrusted network such as the internet. Whether for branch offices communicating with headquarters (siteto-site), or an employee working from home (remote access), the VPN provided a secure point-to-point tunnel back to resources on protected networks.

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Govgrants® Chosen to Manage the Treasury Department's Grants Program

REI Systems | January 31, 2023

On January 30, 2023, REI Systems announced that it would deploy GovGrants®, a full-lifecycle grants management SaaS product, for the US Department of Treasury IAF (Inter-American Foundation). IAF works with entrepreneurs, innovators, and local leaders in underserved Caribbean and Latin America areas to help them build more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic communities. Since 1972, the foundation has provided nearly 5,000 grants totaling more than $680 million. The IAF sought to reinvent its grants management approach with an extensive cloud-hosted product, with assistance from the Grants Management QSMO (Quality Services Management Office). GovGrants® was chosen because it is a highly secure, role-based, and accessible grants management system that adheres to the Federal Integrated Business Framework (FIBF). Furthermore, it provided the multilingual capability that IAF required to support its grantees. The system includes many native features, such as powerful dashboards and reporting built on Tableau, financial system integrations, and various CRM-type features. GovGrants® is a customizable product built on Salesforce's cloud platform that is FedRAMP-certified, making it dependable, secure, and simple for internal and external stakeholders to use. In addition, the solution is currently listed on the GSA MAS Information Technology contract, ensuring easy procurement and deployment as a software-as-a-service solution by any federal agency. Wagish Bhartiya, REI's Chief Growth Officer, shared, "REI Systems has been a leading provider of grant systems across government for more than 20 years. As the grants market evolves, we are excited to evolve with it. There are numerous agencies seeking pre-built, turn-key capabilities that can be easily tailored to fit their business needs. That's why we built GovGrants as a COTS product. We are thrilled to be serving IAF's mission of advancing democracy by supporting community-led development with a modern technology solution." (Source – PR Newswire) About REI Systems Headquartered in Sterling (Virginia), and founded in 1989, REI Systems provides innovative technology solutions that empower people. The company's 700 problem-solving consultants and technologists are committed to updating technology for the government to help achieve its goals. It serves customers in national security, science and technology, healthcare, and government operations in the federal, state, local, and nonprofit sectors. REI Systems delivers domain expertise and optimum technologies through flexible execution and a dedication to customer service.

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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Carahsoft Offers Support for Red Hat Solutions in AWS Marketplace

Carahsoft | February 24, 2023

On February 23, 2023, Carahsoft Technology Corp. (Carahsoft), a government-related IT solutions provider, announced its support for Red Hat company in AWS Marketplace, providing easier access to enterprise open-source software in the public sector. It would support Red Hat’s open hybrid cloud solution in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog of software listings from independent software vendors who interact with the software running on AWS for the public sector. Its solutions designed for public sector customers would support application development, cloud computing, automation management technologies, professional services, certification, and training solutions of Red Hat. In addition, the listings would help AWS Marketplace customers with simplified software licensing, multiple procurement pricing options, and different deployment methods. It would be an essential Government General Service Administration (GSA) Dealer and Distributor partner for Red Hat. It extends assistance for Red Hat’s AWS Marketplace distribution, opening the platform for United States government deployments. This collaboration on AWS Marketplace enables both to reach and fulfill customers’ needs for continuous growth quickly. Its customers, especially those from the Federal, State, Local and Education sector, would be benefited from supported public sector purchases through AWS Marketplace. It is also an AWS Public Sector Partner, working with AWS-certifies resellers and managed service providers to offer a complete cloud-driven solution for migration, professional, and infrastructure services on AWS. In addition, its customers, who are working with AWS, can utilize existing AWS Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) funds for Red Hut’s products across any device. “Carahsoft and our resellers continue to enable modernization in Government through the adoption of innovative enterprise open-source solutions,” said Natalie Gregory, Vice President of Red Hat Sales at Carahsoft. “We are proud to further support Red Hat in making its open-source IT capabilities more readily available to the Public Sector.” (Source – Globe Newswire) About Carahsoft Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Carahsoft, an IT consulting and services company, has been providing services for the public sector since 2004. It combines technology with the government procurement process, assisting organizations from the public sector. As a GSA Schedule Contract holder, it acts a government partner for vendors, networking with consulting partners, system integrators, resellers, and IT manufacturers. It supports marketing, strategic solutions delivery and proactive sales of government IT. In addition, it provides various cloud-based services for secured modernization, cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Big Data, artificial intelligence, and customer experience.

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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY

Zetron to Deliver Cyber Resilience Assessments and Roadmaps to Kansas PSAPs

Zetron | March 15, 2023

On March 14, 2023, Zetron, one of the leading communications technology and service providers, announced it has received a contract from the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) of Kansas (USA). The contract offers cyber resilience roadmaps and assessments for the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) of 34 counties throughout the states. As the fiscal agent for six of the seven Homeland Security regions in Kansas, the Homeland Security/Emergency Operations unit of the Kansas Highway Patrol applies for and administers Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding to subrecipients such as the NCRPC. State and local governments, including fire departments, police, and other public safety agencies, are increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks. As per the Verizon 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), the public sector had the second-most cybersecurity incidents and the fourth-most data breaches among major industries in 2018. In addition, a 2021 Fastly report found that of all cybersecurity alerts, 45 percent are false positives that can be frequently difficult to distinguish from genuine threats and malicious behavior. This results in getting valuable time wasted during an emergency. Zetron, with SecuLore Solutions, a cybersecurity partner and local services partners, will finish cybersecurity assessments and roadmaps of selected thirty-four counties across Kansas, with its population from 600,000 to less than 1300 people. Each counties' assessment will identify threats and provide prioritized, actionable recommendations for remediating vulnerabilities and enhancing the county's cybersecurity risk posture. Following the contract terms, cybersecurity assessments and road maps for Kansas counties selected by NCRPC Regional Project Managers and the Planning Team will be completed in multiple phases through March 2024. About Zetron Zetron is one of the leaders in mission-critical communications technology worldwide. The company offers integrated solutions with exceptional reliability and support. It was founded in 1980 with decades of experience serving the public and private sectors and a sterling reputation for superior quality and dependability. Based in Redmond, Washington, it has customers across all seven continents and in a variety of industries such as transportation, public safety, utilities, the federal government, natural resources and more. In addition, it delivers purpose-built solutions to be always available wherever mission-critical communications must be uninterrupted.

Read More

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT FINANCE

Govgrants® Chosen to Manage the Treasury Department's Grants Program

REI Systems | January 31, 2023

On January 30, 2023, REI Systems announced that it would deploy GovGrants®, a full-lifecycle grants management SaaS product, for the US Department of Treasury IAF (Inter-American Foundation). IAF works with entrepreneurs, innovators, and local leaders in underserved Caribbean and Latin America areas to help them build more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic communities. Since 1972, the foundation has provided nearly 5,000 grants totaling more than $680 million. The IAF sought to reinvent its grants management approach with an extensive cloud-hosted product, with assistance from the Grants Management QSMO (Quality Services Management Office). GovGrants® was chosen because it is a highly secure, role-based, and accessible grants management system that adheres to the Federal Integrated Business Framework (FIBF). Furthermore, it provided the multilingual capability that IAF required to support its grantees. The system includes many native features, such as powerful dashboards and reporting built on Tableau, financial system integrations, and various CRM-type features. GovGrants® is a customizable product built on Salesforce's cloud platform that is FedRAMP-certified, making it dependable, secure, and simple for internal and external stakeholders to use. In addition, the solution is currently listed on the GSA MAS Information Technology contract, ensuring easy procurement and deployment as a software-as-a-service solution by any federal agency. Wagish Bhartiya, REI's Chief Growth Officer, shared, "REI Systems has been a leading provider of grant systems across government for more than 20 years. As the grants market evolves, we are excited to evolve with it. There are numerous agencies seeking pre-built, turn-key capabilities that can be easily tailored to fit their business needs. That's why we built GovGrants as a COTS product. We are thrilled to be serving IAF's mission of advancing democracy by supporting community-led development with a modern technology solution." (Source – PR Newswire) About REI Systems Headquartered in Sterling (Virginia), and founded in 1989, REI Systems provides innovative technology solutions that empower people. The company's 700 problem-solving consultants and technologists are committed to updating technology for the government to help achieve its goals. It serves customers in national security, science and technology, healthcare, and government operations in the federal, state, local, and nonprofit sectors. REI Systems delivers domain expertise and optimum technologies through flexible execution and a dedication to customer service.

Read More

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Carahsoft Offers Support for Red Hat Solutions in AWS Marketplace

Carahsoft | February 24, 2023

On February 23, 2023, Carahsoft Technology Corp. (Carahsoft), a government-related IT solutions provider, announced its support for Red Hat company in AWS Marketplace, providing easier access to enterprise open-source software in the public sector. It would support Red Hat’s open hybrid cloud solution in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog of software listings from independent software vendors who interact with the software running on AWS for the public sector. Its solutions designed for public sector customers would support application development, cloud computing, automation management technologies, professional services, certification, and training solutions of Red Hat. In addition, the listings would help AWS Marketplace customers with simplified software licensing, multiple procurement pricing options, and different deployment methods. It would be an essential Government General Service Administration (GSA) Dealer and Distributor partner for Red Hat. It extends assistance for Red Hat’s AWS Marketplace distribution, opening the platform for United States government deployments. This collaboration on AWS Marketplace enables both to reach and fulfill customers’ needs for continuous growth quickly. Its customers, especially those from the Federal, State, Local and Education sector, would be benefited from supported public sector purchases through AWS Marketplace. It is also an AWS Public Sector Partner, working with AWS-certifies resellers and managed service providers to offer a complete cloud-driven solution for migration, professional, and infrastructure services on AWS. In addition, its customers, who are working with AWS, can utilize existing AWS Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) funds for Red Hut’s products across any device. “Carahsoft and our resellers continue to enable modernization in Government through the adoption of innovative enterprise open-source solutions,” said Natalie Gregory, Vice President of Red Hat Sales at Carahsoft. “We are proud to further support Red Hat in making its open-source IT capabilities more readily available to the Public Sector.” (Source – Globe Newswire) About Carahsoft Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Carahsoft, an IT consulting and services company, has been providing services for the public sector since 2004. It combines technology with the government procurement process, assisting organizations from the public sector. As a GSA Schedule Contract holder, it acts a government partner for vendors, networking with consulting partners, system integrators, resellers, and IT manufacturers. It supports marketing, strategic solutions delivery and proactive sales of government IT. In addition, it provides various cloud-based services for secured modernization, cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Big Data, artificial intelligence, and customer experience.

Read More

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY

Zetron to Deliver Cyber Resilience Assessments and Roadmaps to Kansas PSAPs

Zetron | March 15, 2023

On March 14, 2023, Zetron, one of the leading communications technology and service providers, announced it has received a contract from the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) of Kansas (USA). The contract offers cyber resilience roadmaps and assessments for the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) of 34 counties throughout the states. As the fiscal agent for six of the seven Homeland Security regions in Kansas, the Homeland Security/Emergency Operations unit of the Kansas Highway Patrol applies for and administers Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding to subrecipients such as the NCRPC. State and local governments, including fire departments, police, and other public safety agencies, are increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks. As per the Verizon 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), the public sector had the second-most cybersecurity incidents and the fourth-most data breaches among major industries in 2018. In addition, a 2021 Fastly report found that of all cybersecurity alerts, 45 percent are false positives that can be frequently difficult to distinguish from genuine threats and malicious behavior. This results in getting valuable time wasted during an emergency. Zetron, with SecuLore Solutions, a cybersecurity partner and local services partners, will finish cybersecurity assessments and roadmaps of selected thirty-four counties across Kansas, with its population from 600,000 to less than 1300 people. Each counties' assessment will identify threats and provide prioritized, actionable recommendations for remediating vulnerabilities and enhancing the county's cybersecurity risk posture. Following the contract terms, cybersecurity assessments and road maps for Kansas counties selected by NCRPC Regional Project Managers and the Planning Team will be completed in multiple phases through March 2024. About Zetron Zetron is one of the leaders in mission-critical communications technology worldwide. The company offers integrated solutions with exceptional reliability and support. It was founded in 1980 with decades of experience serving the public and private sectors and a sterling reputation for superior quality and dependability. Based in Redmond, Washington, it has customers across all seven continents and in a variety of industries such as transportation, public safety, utilities, the federal government, natural resources and more. In addition, it delivers purpose-built solutions to be always available wherever mission-critical communications must be uninterrupted.

Read More

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