Security & Life Safety News

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Feds think about cloud computing

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Steve VanRoekel announced that federal government is taking a common sense and cost-saving step in addressing security in cloud computing environments by launching the Federal Risk Authorization Management Program, or FedRAMP.  

Designing this program has been truly a collaborative effort touching people, groups, and agencies across government, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Security Administration (NSA), the Federal CIO Council and its ISIM Committee.  A General Services Administration (GSA) team – comprised of staff from OCSIT, FAS, and OCIO – has been working collaboratively with these groups as well as industry, state and local governments, and academia. 

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Seattle looks to wireless safety plans

SEATTLE, Wash.—The City of Seattle, on behalf of the Radio Executive Policy Committee (REPC), has issued a Request for Information (FRI) about possible public-private partnerships for the purpose of provisioning state-of-the-art wireless mission-critical voice and broadband data capabilities for public safety and general government use throughout Snohomish County, King County and Pierce County, Washington.

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EPA invests in redevelopment

LANSING, Mich.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $76 million in new investments across the country that will redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and help create jobs while protecting public health. EPA’s brownfields grants are used to assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties like deserted gas stations or closed smelters. There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America.

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DoD outlines pilot program

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) outlined a pilot program in which the government helps the defense industry in safeguarding the information their computer systems hold.

The government will not monitor, intercept, or store any private-sector communications through the program. Rather, threat intelligence provided by the government is helping the companies themselves, or the Internet service providers working on their behalf, to identify and stop malicious activity within their networks. The pilot is voluntary for all participants.

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FEMA helps flood victims

CLINTON, Miss.—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved funding for people in 14 Mississippi counties that were declared a major disaster area following the historic flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Funding has reached $12,696,566.

While many recovery efforts along the Mississippi River were slowed by the heavy flooding, state and federal disaster officials continue to respond as they gain access to flood-damaged areas.

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