Fitch warns an extended shutdown could hurt the U.S. credit rating

The Washington Post | January 09, 2019

As the partial U.S. government shutdown dragged into its 19th day, Fitch Ratings warned Wednesday that an extended shutdown might damage the country’s Triple-A credit rating if lawmakers are unable to pass a budget or manage the debt ceiling. While President Trump spars with Democratic leaders over $5.7 billion for a border wall and funding for nine government agencies, hundreds of thousands of workers are caught up in the shutdown, furloughed or working without being paid, and much of the federal government is paralyzed. The day after Trump took his fight for the wall to prime-time TV on Tuesday, Fitch’s global head of sovereign ratings, James McCormack, said that if the shutdown keeps lawmakers from being able to address the debt ceiling in early March, the inefficiency and ripple effects might do lasting damage to the country’s credit.

Spotlight

Governments around the world are enacting stronger cybersecurity mandates in which Zero Trust features as a central theme. Eighty-eight percent of security leaders agree that adopting a Zero Trust approach is very important.1 But while desire and regulatory momentum is there, overall implementation is lagging.

Spotlight

Governments around the world are enacting stronger cybersecurity mandates in which Zero Trust features as a central theme. Eighty-eight percent of security leaders agree that adopting a Zero Trust approach is very important.1 But while desire and regulatory momentum is there, overall implementation is lagging.

Related News

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY

Binary Defense Partners with ExtraHop

Binary Defense | February 17, 2023

On February 16, 2023, Binary Defense, a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and enterprise defense solutions provider, announced its partnership with ExtraHop, to offer an advanced managed network detection and response (mNDR) solution for North American customers. It will integrate the cloud-driven network detection and response solution of ExtraHop. Through this partnership, Binary Defense will provide its robust Managed Detection and Response services, providing 24/7/365 security monitoring, response, and detection to the clients of ExtraHop’s Reveal (x) 360. The advantages of Binary Defense’s MDR services are customized solutions for the preferred environment, advanced detection strategy, access to vast threat intel, collective defense, proven solutions, and experts with accountable work experience with Fortune 500 companies and the government for cybersecurity. Whereas the ExtraHop Reveal (x) 360 provides unified security in cloud and on-premises environments, situational intelligence, and 360-degree visibility through its SaaS-based network detection and response. Chief Commercial Officer of Binary Defense Tracy Caudill said, “Many organizations lack the resources and expertise to actively monitor and triage the daily flood of alerts they receive to successfully detect and respond to the most urgent threats.” She added, “Our Security Operations Center analysts have decades of combined experience at the highest levels of enterprise and government IT security. We are delighted to partner with ExtraHop to offer fully managed NDR services for our customers who need state-of-the-art, real-time threat detection that is tailored to meet their specific business needs.” (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Binary Defense Headquartered in Stow, Ohio, Binary Defense, a cybersecurity solutions provider, has been detecting high-fidelity threats for network, cloud, endpoint, and log sources since 2014. It is a Managed Detection and Response services provider and software developer with Managed Open XDR model. It provides a comprehensive defense for the enterprise through its advanced services like Incident Response, Digital Risk Protection, Counterintelligence and Threat Hunting. It specializes in managed security, threat intelligence, SIEM management, detection and response, deception technology, EDR, MDR, MSSR, and cybersecurity.

Read More

CYBERSECURITY

NASPO Adds Fidelis Cybersecurity Platforms to Its ValuePoint Contracts

Fidelis Cybersecurity | February 02, 2023

National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), has recently added Fidelis Cybersecurity platforms to its existing ValuePoint contracts with Carahsoft Technology Corporation, providing cyber defense solutions to associated Education institutions, States, and Local Governments. Its integrated cloud security platform helps customers delve deeper into their digital environments, detect, and respond to threats faster, improve threat detection, enable continuous risk assessment, and ensure compliance and security. Alex Whitworth, Sales Director leading the Fidelis team at Carahsoft, said, “The addition of Fidelis’ platforms to this contract creates new opportunities for NASPO members to protect their critical operations and safeguard sensitive Government data. “Fidelis’ cybersecurity solutions exceed standard threat protection by enabling proactive cyber defense across cloud environments and on-premises. We look forward to working with Fidelis and our reseller partners to make it easier for our joint customers to acquire this advanced technology.” (Source – Business Wire) Dale McCloskey, Senior Vice President, Federal Sales at Fidelis Cybersecurity, said, “Universities and State and Local agencies are under a continuous barrage of attacks. We are excited to expand our partnership with Carahsoft and enable NASPO’s State and Local agency and higher education customers to shift to proactive cyber defense with integrated Deception, XDR and cloud security and compliance platforms to better protect their hybrid environments from advanced threat actors.” (Source – Business Wire) About Fidelis Cybersecurity Fidelis Cybersecurity is a cyber defense provider for modern IT, serving cyber threat detection, withdrawal, response, compliance, and cloud security. It offers dynamic cyber terrain mapping, multi-facet context, and risk assessment. It reduces attackable surfaces, threat detection, incident response, and automated exposure prevention, providing professionals with context, speed, accuracy, and portability security to the top government agencies, enterprises and commercials that trust it globally. In addition, it secures production assets from adversaries with decoys, countering ongoing attacks and gathering intelligence to prepare for future attacks.

Read More

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Inmarsat Government's GX LITE wins Government Mobile Innovation Award by MSUA

Inmarsat Government | March 16, 2023

On March 15, 2023, Inmarsat Government, one of the most advanced global mobile satellite communication service providers, announced that its GX LITE land user terminal has won the 2023 Satellite Mobile Innovation Award from the Mobile Satellite User Association (MSUA). The terminal won the Government Mobile Innovation category, marking the seventh time in the past eight years that Inmarsat has been awarded this annual award. The new GX LITE terminal offers reliable and safe broadband connectivity for tactical military and non-military users globally. The terminal is provided through Inmarsat's Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band network. Built for land users with 'grab and go' applications, the terminal's global access, portability, and secure operations come at an affordable price. GX LITE was developed with Get SAT, Inmarsat Government's value-added manufacturing partner. Get SAT innovates lightweight satellite communication for airborne, ground and maritime applications. The terminal is simple to install and operate, requiring no user configuration to establish a network connection anywhere. In addition, it has a front-panel interface and a Wi-Fi capability that the user can enable or disable. GX LITE utilizes efficient, flat-panel antenna technologies and supports Committed Information Rate (CIR) and unique Maximum Information Rate (MIR) users globally. It is lightweight (21.4 lbs.), thin (16.6" W, 11.5" L and 3.3" D) and effortlessly transportable with a carrying case that fits in the overhead compartment of a commercial aircraft. In addition, the terminal has low power consumption and can operate for up to three hours on batteries alone. About Inmarsat Government Inmarsat Government is one of the leading mission-critical telecommunications service provider, offers reliable, secure and affordable connectivity to the U.S. intelligence, defense, public safety, homeland security, and civilian agencies. The company was established in 1979 and is implementing solutions considering government users' needs. It offers flexible capabilities to complement government satellite resources anywhere, anytime. Utilizing an industry-leading scalable multiband network infrastructure, Inmarsat Government provides managed network services and end-to-end communication solutions to help users on land, at sea and in the air, even in the world's most remote regions.

Read More