Census Bureau Seeks Industry Input on Cybersecurity Plan

The Census Bureau has tapped industry for input on the agency's 10-year plan to build its cybersecurity acquisition strategy. 

CB issued a request for information to leverage industry's expertise, seeking best-practice and acquisition strategy recommendations on areas most impacted by cybersecurity, Fifth Domain reported Tuesday. 

"The USCB intends to leverage industry knowledge and expertise on proven approaches and best practices to achieve the highest level of cyber defense and resilience in accordance with federal and legislative requirements," the RFI read.

CB is the federal government's largest statistical agency and provides facts and figures about the United States' people, places and economy. 

In its RFI, the agency said it requires the implementation of advanced and comprehensive around-the-clock cybersecurity protections to address the evolution of malicious activities in cyberspace. 

The agency announced plans to deploy next-generation artificial intelligence technologies and machine learning techniques to achieve near-real-time situational awareness of technologies and information assets.

"This approach reduces dependencies on point-in-time assessments while increasing continuous monitoring capabilities. In addition, the approach aligns to and keeps pace with relevant National Institute of Standards and Technology publications," the RFI read.

The bureau's Office of Information Security, which helms strategy, also expressed interest in professional support services, proactive cyber defense, threat intelligence and Agile development, Fifth Domain reported. 

CB asked interested parties to describe their capabilities in managing federal enterprise-wide cybersecurity programs, describe past contracting relationships related to cybersecurity services, provide input on acquisition strategies and provide feedback on industry best practices. 

They may submit their responses through a document compatible with Microsoft Word or Office no later than July 15. Responses may not exceed 20 pages and may only be submitted through e-mail, the RFI read.