Former CBP CSSO becomes CBP’s CISO

Federal Newscast

Former CBP CSSO becomes CBP’s CISO

In today's Top Federal Headlines, Alma Cole, former director of the Homeland Security Department's Cyber Operations Center returns to the agency as Customs and...

Eric White@FEDERALNEWSCAST

February 20, 2017 8:16 am

< a min read

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

Alma Cole, former vice president of cybersecurity firm Robbins Gioia and director of Homeland Security’s Cyber Operations Center, is rejoining the agency as Customs and Border Protection’s chief information security officer according to Meritalk. Cole has also previously worked as CBP’s chief systems security officer. (Meritalk)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking clarification from the Trump administration on whether the cyber workforce falls under the list of exemptions the Office of Personnel Management provided. NIST’s director of its IT lab Dr. Charles Romine wants to know if it can continue recruiting cyber talent. OPM’s guidance says agencies can grant exceptions to the hiring freeze in critical situations. (Federal News Radio)

A prominent veterans organization wants the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reconsider one of his predecessor’s decisions. The American Legion asks Dr. David Shulkin to reverse the plan to downsize VA’s Black Hills Health Care System in South Dakota. Former Secretary Bob McDonald had said the facility’s configuration was too expensive and its funding was needed elsewhere. (American Legion)