At a glance.
- US House passes COVID-19 relief bill.
- US Department of Defense will implement Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification on schedule.
- Telework encouraged by the US Department of Defense.
- US may tighten restrictions on chip exports to Huawei.
US House passes $2 trillion coronavirus relief act.
Shortly after 1:00 PM today the US House of Representatives passed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief act the Senate sent it, the Washington Post reports. In addition to direct economic stimulation, the bill includes significant direction and resources for both remote work and cybersecurity. The measure constitutes the largest stimulus package in US history. The House abandoned its own preferred measure and deferred to the Senate's version; the House's approval has been expected since the bill passed the Senate at the beginning of the week.
COVID-19 won't delay the Pentagon's cybersecurity certification program for its contractors.
Yesterday the US Department of Defense firmly quashed rumors that it was going to delay implementation of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (familiarly known as the CMMC), Nextgov reports. The Department has executed its memorandum of understanding with the independent not-for-profit group that will serve as the accreditation body, and businesses should expect the program to proceed as planned.
The accreditation will apply to new contracts, and it won’t be retroactively imposed on existing agreements. The CMMC is similar to standards contractors have used for self-assessment. The use of an independent accreditation organization, however, is new--self-attestation is going the way of the dinosaur, apparently.
Pentagon urges contractors to work remotely; issues guidelines for military telework.
The Acting Director for Defense Pricing and Contracting has asked contractors to take "unprecedented" steps toward making remote work possible for their employees. Defense Systems reports that Acting Director Kim Herrington asked that contractors offer "the same maximum telework flexibilities extended to DOD service members and civilians also be made available to contractors when contract services can be delivered, without mission degradation, while off-site."
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Virginia Penrod this week issued comprehensive guidance for military personnel working during the COVID-19 emergency. Her memorandum was accompanied by a fact sheet addressing frequently asked questions about telework and other matters.
US plans tighter restrictions on chip exports to Huawei.
Reuters says that senior US officials are preparing more restrictive measures designed to prevent Huawei from getting chips. The planned measure would require foreign companies that use American chipmaking equipment to obtain a US license before they would be permitted to supply certain specified classes of chips to the Chinese manufacturer.