Congress Asks McAfee for Briefing on Operation Shady RAT [New New Internet] – Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) sent a letter [PDF] on August 10 asking McAfee for a briefing on its recent report on Operation Shady RAT, which hacked 13 defense contractors among its 70 targets. She asked how the government and private sector could more effectively mitigate data breaches, and what the potential economic

DOD Budget Impacts on Contractors Moody’s may cut defense contractor ratings [Washington Business Journal] – Moody’s Investors Service indicates that it may cut the credit ratings of some defense contractors, especially those still dealing with substantially underfunded pension programs. Its report predicts that DOD cuts of ten percent or more will increase competition and scale back profit margins, leading

OMB gives agency CIOs more IT budget authority [Federal News Radio] – An August 8 memo [PDF] from Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew gives agency CIOs authority over commodity technology purchases and responsibility for training workers leading major IT programs. Only the Veterans Affairs CIO has the power to control all IT acquisitions. IBM Pulls Out of Supercomputer Contract