Federal government in talks with tech groups to use phone location data to track coronavirus: report

Facebook | March 17, 2020

The federal government is in talks with Facebook, Google and other tech companies about ways to use smartphone location data to tackle the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Washington is reportedly interested in using the data to better understand how the virus spreads and to see whether people are practicing social distancing. A new task force made up of tech and other industry executives presented ideas for the use of the location data at a White House meeting Sunday, the Post reported. Presenters included officials from Harvard University and representatives from top tech groups and Silicon Valley firms.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY

ECS Wins $19M Contract With Defense Manpower Data Center

ECS | March 21, 2023

ECS, a leader in advanced technology, science, and digital transformation solutions, has won a five-year $19M contract with the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). A leader in DoD identity management, the DMDC maintains DoD databases, supports the information requirements of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness, and oversees DoD personnel programs and research. ECS will support the digital transformation of the DMDC by optimizing existing instances of ServiceNow ― the digital workflow management platform ― and ensuring the success of new implementations. By providing operations and maintenance services, architectural design, development, and implementation services, ECS will bring new capabilities to the DMDC and transform legacy IT applications. ECS adds this DMDC project to a lengthy list of successful ServiceNow deployments it has undertaken for the DoD and federal civilian clients. These include: the Army, Air Force, Space Force, Defense Information Systems Agency, several DoD Fourth Estate agencies, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, U.S. Postal Service, and Environmental Protection Agency. “ECS is excited to support the critical mission of the DMDC,” said John Heneghan, president of ECS. “We’ll use our ServiceNow expertise to help the agency reduce workflow complexity, boost productivity, and offer improved services to uniformed service members, veterans, and families around the world.” “As a ServiceNow Elite partner, ECS leverages the full power of the platform to support the DMDC’s digital transformation,” said Martin Burke, vice president of Integrated Solutions at ECS. “ECS will help DMDC reengineer and modernize every one of its business and IT processes, using the powerful features and flexibility of the ServiceNow platform.” About ECS ECS, ASGN’s federal government segment, delivers advanced solutions in cloud, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence (AI), application and IT modernization, science, and engineering. The company solves critical, complex challenges for customers across the U.S. public sector, defense, intelligence, and commercial industries. ECS maintains partnerships with leading cloud, cybersecurity, and AI/ML providers and holds specialized certifications in their technologies. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ECS has more than 3,800 employees throughout the United States. About ASGN Incorporated ASGN Incorporated (NYSE: ASGN) is a leading provider of IT services and professional solutions, including technology, creative, and digital, across the commercial and government sectors. ASGN helps leading corporate enterprises and government organizations develop, implement, and operate critical IT and business solutions through its integrated offering of professional staffing and IT solutions.

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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Finvi Earns ATO at Moderate Impact Level under FedRAMP

Finvi | February 28, 2023

One of the leading enterprise workflow automation software providers, Finvi, is built to accelerate revenue recovery and simplify the payment process, recently announced that it has been awarded the Authorization to Operate (ATO) by the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) at the Moderate Impact level. The FedRAMP is a government-wide program that encourages using secure cloud services across the federal government by establishing a uniform methodology for assessing the security and risk associated with cloud computing for federal agencies. Finvi can bring its 40+ years of experience and innovation to the federal level, allowing federal agencies to enjoy the same advantages as their state and local counterparts. However, to get FedRAMP approval, Finvi's cloud services must be looked at more than once by a federal agency partner and an independent third-party assessment organization (3PAO). These tests and reviews aimed to regulate if Finvi's cloud offerings meet the strict security standards required to work with federal agencies. Finvi, after the authorization, is recognized as Ontario Cloud Federal (OCF) in the collection of Cloud Service Providers (CSP) available on the FedRAMP Marketplace. As featured in the Marketplace, Finvi's distinctive software-as-a-service cloud-based offering for healthcare revenue and accounts receivables management comprises contact management and payment processing solutions designed to facilitate debt collection, collections and receivables, payments, reporting and information services, customer service, as well as software system development. About Fenvi Founded in 1980, Finvi is the leading enterprise technologies provider that simplifies and accelerates client revenue recovery through government, healthcare, accounts receivable management, and financial institutions. Its ground-breaking solutions are built on a unique human-centric approach to innovate and deliver. As a result, it enables millions of clients to generate more revenue at a lower cost and achieve their business objectives through compliance-minded communication, payment tools, and automated and modern processes.

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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, INFRASTRUCTURE

Carahsoft and Alteryx Offer data analytics to Canada's Public Sector

Carahsoft | March 14, 2023

On March 14, 2023, Carahsoft Technology Corp., the trusted government IT solutions provider, and the Analytics Automation Company, Alteryx, Inc., expanded their partnership to offer automated data analytics to all levels of the Canadian government, including federal, provincial, and municipal, territorial, and crown corporations. Carahsoft will offer Alteryx products and services via its Software Licensing Supply Arrangement (SLSA) contract with Public Services and Procurement in Canada under the agreement. Additionally, Carahsoft will collaborate with its Canada-based reseller partners to support new Public Sector customers and expand the availability of Alteryx's solutions by leveraging additional contract vehicles. The Alteryx Analytics Automation Platform provides an integrated, end-to-end analytics experience, allowing everyone to create transformative business outcomes using data effortlessly. Alteryx Analytics Automation Platform provides a suite of capabilities, including hundreds of drag-and-drop automation building blocks for data cleansing, blending and preparation, as well as statistical, geospatial, and predictive analytics, as well as automated machine learning and natural-language data storytelling, to support at all stage of the journey from raw data to business outcomes, as well as every participant along the way. Team Leads at Alteryx Team at Carahsoft, Marty Gryski, said, "We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our partnership with Alteryx in the Canadian marketplace." He also said, "Alteryx's solutions address the current need for analytics automation to empower critical business functions. We look forward to working with our resellers to continue supporting the Canadian Federal Government in their digital transformation initiatives." (Source – GlobeNewswire) About Carahsoft Based in Reston, Virginia, Carahsoft is the trusted government IT solutions provider, helping Federal, State and Local Government agencies, Health and Education markets and Public Sector organizations. The company delivers solutions for Cybersecurity, Big Data, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, AI, Open Source, Customer Experience and more. Its sales and marketing teams work with resellers, systems integrators, and consultants to offer the best IT services, products, and training through hundreds of contract vehicles.

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