Exclusive Policy

FCC to propose first undersea cable security overhaul since 2001

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel cited rising national security risks in conflict zones as a catalyst for the proposed updates to submarine cable regulations.

People

Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return

Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.

Policy

What Trump 2.0 means for tech and AI regulation

Tech CEO Elon Musk’s growing influence in the Trump transition was at the forefront of discussions.

People

O'Malley to step down as SSA chief this month, seeks political role

Martin O'Malley won plaudits for reinvigorating a resource-starved SSA, but will leave his post early.

Modernization

House passes veterans’ package without EHR accountability measures

A spokesperson for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said measures related to the electronic health record system were removed from the legislation “due to a lack of political viability in both the House and Senate.”

Ideas

White House, cyber leaders to talk priorities, road ahead

The GovExec Cybersecurity Futures Forum Wednesday will feature cyber leaders from across government.

Emerging Tech

Bipartisan quantum funding bill advances from committee

The Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2024 will head to the Senate floor as part of a push to continue federal investment into quantum computing research and development.

Cybersecurity

New TSA cyber rules leave lawmakers, industry hopeful for happy medium regulations

The agency argues its Nov. 8 proposed rulemaking will dually address the transportation industry’s regulation concerns while ensuring they’re suitably protected from hackers. Others want to wait and see.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft and Atom Computing unveil 24-qubit quantum machine

The companies bet on neutral atoms and logical qubits to enable near-term, hybrid quantum computing.

Artificial Intelligence

Trust and security are top concerns in the public sector’s use of generative AI, survey says

A survey released by Amazon Web Services found that 83% of public sector respondents reported that their organizations are concerned about public trust in the new technology.

Policy

Trump’s ‘DOGE’ commission promises mass federal layoffs, ending telework

The incoming administration will handle large-scale RIFs with compassion, Vivek Ramaswamy says.

Emerging Tech

Lawrence Livermore’s El Capitan supercomputer is officially fastest in the world

El Capitan’s data processing abilities represent a major advancement in scientific research, particularly for managing the nuclear stockpile.

Cybersecurity

Hackers nabbed emails between congressional staff and Library of Congress 

Affected staff were notified Friday afternoon, according to an internal email. Capitol Hill communications with the Congressional Research Service frequently involve confidential legislative drafts or policies still in the brainstorming stage.

People

‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has a “history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation,” said one official.

Modernization

Lawmaker looks to improve SBA’s IT modernization after critical GAO review

A proposal from Rep. Nydia Velázquez would require that the Small Business Administration “establish and implement policies and procedures to govern information technology modernization projects.”

People

USDS looks for new deputy to lead as Trump administration approaches 

Mina Hsiang, current administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, is expected to leave before the Trump administration takes the helm.

Emerging Tech

MetTel becomes first authorized Starlink partner to offer satellite SD-WAN services

The news makes MetTel the first Starlink authorized reseller for both commercial and government organizations.

Digital Government

How the federal CIO is prepping for the presidential transition

Cybersecurity, customer experience and effective transition efforts have been top-of-mind for Clare Matorana in the last days of the Biden administration.

People

Senate confirms Biden’s ethics czar, who will remain under Trump

Senate Democrats use dwindling floor time to confirm a new head for the government's ethics office, with whom Trump administration often butted heads in his first term.

Cybersecurity

FCC to soon announce lead administrator for cyber assurance program

More information will also be unveiled during the 2025 CES, Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger said.