People
Agencies lost around 20,000 tech workers last year — and now the Trump admin is hiring
All six departments and agencies that lost the most IT talent currently have open job listings for such roles.
Cybersecurity
Domestic surveillance fears loom over Congress debate to renew spying power
Lawmakers’ concerns about immigration enforcement and Fourth Amendment compliance are weighing on the reauthorization fight for Section 702 of FISA, even as the FBI privately warns against letting the foreign spying law lapse.
Modernization
Digital GI bill delays are a reflection of VA’s IT management problem, lawmakers say
Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., said the delays and cost overruns affecting VA’s new digital GI Bill system were “not unique.”
People
'Setting this agency up for failure': Amid staffing crunch, IRS taps employees with no relevant experience to assist during filing season
The tax agency is taking unusual steps to prepare for its busy season after watchdog finds it is severely underprepared.
Ideas
As US celebrates 250th, CIOs turn youngish 30
COMMENTARY | What can be done to improve federal IT leadership?
People
Inside the federal CIO’s culture-first approach
Gregory Barbaccia told Nextgov/FCW that his priorities for the coming year are aimed at making change at scale in government IT.
Cybersecurity
Senator says AT&T and Verizon blocked release of Salt Typhoon security reports
“AT&T and Verizon apparently intervened” to block a major cyber intelligence firm from sending documentation about the telecom hackers, Sen. Maria Cantwell wrote in a letter.
Ideas
Trust, trade and the new data diplomacy
COMMENTARY | Data has become the connective tissue of global progress.
Cybersecurity
AI info-sharing center is in development, CISA official says
CISA’s Nick Andersen told reporters that he didn’t know of a completion timeline, but talks were ongoing across government and industry.
Policy
Partial shutdown ends less than 4 days after it began
Nearly every federal agency is now funded through September and employees will be paid for the days they were furloughed.
Cybersecurity
White House cyber shop is crafting AI security policy framework, top official says
ONCD chief Sean Cairncross also said a bedrock National Cyber Strategy, initially expected last month, is coming “sooner rather than later” without specifying a date.
Exclusive
Emerging Tech
Draft quantum order tasks many agencies with reinvigorating the tech’s development
The order outlines a widespread effort to plan for increased quantum innovation, private sector cooperation and international partnership in pursuit of a quantum computer for scientific applications and discovery.
Ideas
DOD’s AI acceleration strategy
COMMENTARY | How does the Pentagon's new artificial intelligence strategy enable the military to adopt emerging tools?
Digital Government
US withdraws from the Open Government Partnership — which it helped create
“Anyone who has followed developments over the last year will not be surprised by this decision of the U.S. government,” the CEO of the multilateral global initiative said in a statement.
Modernization
NITAAC finally pulls the plug on CIO-SP4
The troubled $50 billion IT contract vehicle has faced hundreds of protests that the agency could never fully resolve.
Cybersecurity
Key cyber statutes at risk again as Congress works to avert shutdown
One measure allows the private sector to provide threat data to government agencies with key legal protections in place.
Acquisition
Agencies are prioritizing flexibility and cost savings in AI purchases, GSA official says
GSA’s acting Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Hale from the General Services Administration said early demand has been focused on AI tools that support everyday work and productivity.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Measures seek to boost cyber posture of utilities
The proposed legislation would expand the Energy Department’s role in hardening U.S. energy infrastructure to boost cybersecurity and physical protections for pipelines, electric utilities and local distribution systems.
Digital Government
Federal CIO says he’s zeroed in on government service delivery
That effort has new accountability levers and top-down support that can be helpful in driving change, CX leaders from the Office of Management and Budget said Friday.
Acquisition