People
A leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten NSA morale, operational strength
The signals intelligence giant has halted recruitment for its Legal Honors Program, two people familiar say, slowing inflow of top legal talent. Other long-term capabilities are at risk.
People
OPM to pursue ‘mass deferment’ of deadlines for CyberCorps students
The extensions would occur once the government shutdown ends, the government’s personnel agency said. An exact deferment length was not given.
Policy
DHS proposes biometrics expansion for immigrants, dropping age restrictions and requiring biometrics from some US citizens
A new DHS regulatory proposal would allow CBP and ICE to collect biometrics from children under the age of 14.
Policy
House Republican questions government stake in tech companies
Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick disputed the Trump administration’s approach to investing in the private sector while aligning with its broader low-regulatory regime.
Ideas
The hidden debt slowing America’s AI future
COMMENTARY | Government modernization must be driven by a single goal: eliminating the readiness debt.
Acquisition
Contractors fear retaliation if they try to recover shutdown costs
Legal rights do exist for companies to recoup their losses, but attorneys say fears of Trump administration reprisal loom over industry.
Emerging Tech
D-Wave makes its quantum annealers available for national security work
Quantum computing company D-Wave has installed one of its quantum annealers alongside Davidson Technologies for federal customers to access.
People
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
Cybersecurity
FCC to vote on reversing telecom security rulemakings next month
The initial measures proposed at the end of the Biden administration came in response to the Salt Typhoon telecom hacks carried out by China.
Ideas
Uncle Sam's software sprawl: Billions wasted, time to go pro
COMMENTARY | Most agencies simply don't know what software they own, what they use or what they truly need.
People
Top CISA official exits for TSA role amid recent cyber office reductions
Ryan Donaghy had served at CISA since 2016. It’s not clear if she was voluntarily moved to TSA or was given transfer orders.
Cybersecurity
AI has leveled the field between cybercriminals and nation-state hackers, FBI official says
The FBI is slower to adopt AI tools due to the sensitive nature of the data that it works with, Brett Leatherman, the FBI Cyber Division head, said.
Modernization
Inside the Secret Service hunt for skimmers as outdated SNAP cards let thieves steal millions
The government still uses 1970s-era technology to deliver SNAP, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to transnational crime rings that have taken hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits in recent years.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmaker, advocacy leader underscore legal immigration as central to US AI dominance
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. and National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons agreed that legal immigration is needed to fill manufacturing jobs that will be crucial for U.S. AI sector growth.
Cybersecurity
Upcoming White House cyber strategy to seek more involvement with private sector
The Trump 2.0 cyber strategy is in development, National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said, though he did not elaborate on when it would be released.
People
Shutdown furloughs will permanently cost the economy at least $7 billion, CBO says
Unlike most of the shutdown's economic impacts, the lost productivity from feds not working cannot be reversed.
Cybersecurity
CyberCorps talent pipeline buckles under Trump hiring freezes
The cornerstone program for training and placing student talent into government cybersecurity positions has been hobbled by recent federal employment logjams, jeopardizing workforce pipelines and leaving many recruits burdened by debt.
Exclusive
Acquisition
Transportation awards Google major contract after ‘OneGov’ deal
The five-year contract for Google’s Workspace software suite has a ceiling of $89 million.
Breaking News
People
Shutdown layoffs indefinitely blocked following new court injunction
Trump administration attorney says guarantee of back pay justifies issuing widespread reductions in force, but judge finds the layoffs unlawful.
Emerging Tech