Cellebrite Seeks More Fed Business; VA Shifts to Login.gov and ID.me for Health Services

Just days after it was revealed that the FBI used software from Israeli firm Cellebrite to break into the phone of the man who shot former President Donald Trump, the company announced a strategic acquisition to expand its U.S. government work. Cellebrite purchased Cyber Technology Services Inc. and is establishing Cellebrite Federal Solutions, aiming to boost U.S. operations and engage more federal departments. The company is close to announcing a federal agency sponsorship for a FedRAMP cloud accreditation, expected in 2025. Cellebrite already holds contracts with several federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and the Defense Department. In other news, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is transitioning online users to Login.gov or ID.me sign-ins to access benefits and health care service accounts. This change will impact three million veterans and beneficiaries, who will no longer use usernames or passwords for My HealtheVet after January 2025. The VA aims to enhance security and provide a more user-friendly experience. Kurt DelBene, the VA’s assistant secretary for IT and chief information officer, emphasized that the transition is about empowering veterans with a modernized online experience. This move aligns with the Biden administration’s efforts to safeguard veteran data and improve federal customer service.