People

Get to know the 2023 Rising Stars

This year's class of Rising Stars has been selected both for their accomplishments over the past year and for their leadership potential.

Artificial Intelligence

Agencies have over 1,200 AI uses planned or in operation, watchdog finds

The massive GAO report found that some agencies — like NASA and the Department of Commerce — have made major investments in artificial intelligence, while others struggled to meet federal requirements.

Defense

USAF cracks down on ‘need to know’ violations in wake of Discord leaks

Wing commander fired, 14 more disciplined after hundreds of documents were posted to a chat platform.

Emerging Tech

Research institutions must better secure sensitive data from foreign adversaries, experts say

To prevent foreign nations from gaining access to sensitive research data, U.S. institutions need to “have a higher sense of internal security” when it comes to protecting critical information.

Modernization

NDAA includes bill backing new data center standards

The measure would require the General Services Administration to set new resiliency, cybersecurity, availability and sustainability expectations for federal data centers.

Artificial Intelligence

GAO to release landmark AI report

The report provides a baseline for the use of artificial intelligence across major non-defense federal agencies and how they are meeting existing requirements.

People

Sonny Hashmi to depart GSA

The head of the Federal Acquisition Service is leaving just before the close of 2023.

Acquisition

Veterans Affairs sheds more light on $14B transformation recompete

The department's main health care agency announces its decision on which companies will be eligible and reveals more on how teams can be structured.

Modernization

OPM retirement backlog hits six-year low for third time this year

The number of pending federal employee retirement claims fell under 16,000 for the second time since 2017 in November.

Artificial Intelligence

2024 NDAA eyes rapid ATOs for emerging tech

Artificial intelligence is also a hot topic within the annual defense policy bill.

Ideas

How feds can create their own mini Chat GPT AI assistants

COMMENTARY | Configuring a mini-GPT can be a highly effective way to harness the awesome power of this new technology while mitigating many of the risks associated with generative AI.

Acquisition

FBI to rethink troubled IT services contract

After several rounds of protests and amendments, the FBI is reworking parts of the solicitation for a group of blanket purchase agreements.

People

Looking for tech talent? Broaden your search, IC chief says

The nation’s 18 intelligence agencies should look beyond the nation’s capital if they want to get and keep the best cyber workers, said Adele Merritt.

Acquisition

The defense industrial base is 'in crisis,' expert tells Hill panel

The defense establishment is not equipped to develop, acquire and onboard emerging technologies at scale, according to a draft report from the Pentagon, and witnesses at a recent House hearing called for deeper, stronger ties between government and industry.

Digital Government

OMB adds metrics to digital experience oversight

The Office of Management and Budget is piloting new digital experience indicators based on recently released guidance for the 21st Century IDEA Act.

Cybersecurity

U.S., global partners, ask software companies to focus on memory-safe code

New guidance for software developers from Five Eyes countries implores software developers to patch memory safety vulnerabilities and rethink the use of risky programming languages.

Cybersecurity

20 federal agencies miss deadline for implementing cyber incident tracking requirements, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office found that just three federal agencies were in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s advanced cyber event logging requirements.

Digital Government

Federal judge temporarily blocks Montana’s TikTok ban

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said in his preliminary injunction that the first-of-its-kind state law “likely” violates the First Amendment. A trial to review its legal authority could still reinstate the ban.