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Last week U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Deputy Secretary Karen Dunn Kelley recognized 266 Commerce employees for receiving Honor Awards, the most prestigious award the Department gives out each year. Since 1949, the Department of Commerce has recognized outstanding employees with Gold and Silver Medals at the Honor Awards. The employees’ contributions must focus on one of seven...

Broadband and information technology are powerful tools for small businesses to reach new markets and increase sales and productivity. However, cybersecurity threats are real and businesses must implement the best tools and tactics to protect themselves, their customers, and their data. Visit www.fcc.gov/cyberplanner to create a free customized Cyber Security Planning guide for your small business...

Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber attack occurs. In 2018, the U.S. business sector had the largest number of data breaches ever recorded: 571 breaches. 1 Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems. From the top leadership to the newest employee, cybersecurity requires the...

Join us for National Seafood Month 2019 and learn how we work to support healthy, sustainable seafood all year round. October is National Seafood Month, and a fitting time to celebrate that the United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood—both wild-caught and farmed. U.S. fishermen and fish farmers operate under some of the most robust and transparent environmental...

For many years, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has been working to reduce patent pendency times. And since 2018, the agency has had specific goals of under 15 months for first office actions and under 24 months for total pendency, on average. We have now achieved these goals! As of September 30, 2019, which is the end of our 2019 fiscal year (FY), the averages are 14.7...

In a world where we are constantly connected, cybersecurity cannot be limited to the home or office. When you’re traveling — whether domestic or international—it is always important to practice safe online behavior and take proactive steps to secure Internet-enabled devices. The more we travel, the more we are at risk for cyberattacks. #BeCyberSmart and use these tips to connect with confidence...

Blog post by Laura Espinal, Materials Scientist, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I am the oldest of three sisters, raised in a home filled with great appreciation for Latin music. I learned very early on that music brings friends and family together. At home, my dad played the cuatro all the time. (The cuatro is an instrument with four...

Posted with permission from cyberFEDS IN FOCUS: Traditional assessment methods may overlook first-generation professionals when identifying the best and brightest candidates for a position, but FGPs often bring top skills to the table, according to Gregory White, a data analyst in the Commerce Department's Office of Human Capital Strategy and Diversity. Research, he said, shows that the top five...