Ideas
The federal government’s data protection depends on resilience — not just cybersecurity
COMMENTARY | An increasingly AI-driven threat landscape demands a resilience-first mindset across federal agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies and industry announce efforts to further Presidential AI Challenge
The Trump administration is angling to leverage private sector partnerships and an all-hands agency approach to establish a robust U.S. AI workforce and education platform.
Policy
HHS promises 'an active enforcement stance' against health data blocking
The department said it plans to hold providers and IT developers accountable for limiting the use and exchange of electronic health information.
Modernization
Change Healthcare attack delayed EHR testing at Chicago site, VA watchdog says
A joint VA-DOD rollout of a new Oracle Health electronic health record system occurred around the same time that UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Change Healthcare was targeted by a ransomware attack in February 2024.
Artificial Intelligence
Psychology experts call for AI age controls and chatbot tailoring
Experts testified before Congress about their concerns with artificial intelligence’s presence in mental health practices, particularly among adolescents and children.
Emerging Tech
US risks losing space dominance to China without NASA support, experts say
Continuing the space agency’s programs “is a matter of national security,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during a congressional hearing.
People
Ehikian takes tech industry post at C3 AI following GSA departure
The General Services Administration's former No. 2 official is now CEO of C3 AI, an artificial intelligence firm pushing to make inroads in the federal market.
People
OPM tech lead Greg Hogan leaves post
The personnel agency’s handling of sensitive agency data — and who can access it — has been at the center of many lawsuits since the start of Trump 2.0.
Acquisition
FAA starts the bidding for new air traffic control system contract
The eventual winner will have three-and-a-half years to implement the new system.
Cybersecurity
House panel advances bill to extend bedrock cyber info-sharing law
Some Republicans want to ensure there’s language that would prevent the nation’s core cyberdefense agency from engaging in alleged “censorship” of Americans’ free speech.
People
GSA deputy Stephen Ehikian to depart post
Ehikian — who, until recently, served as GSA’s acting administrator — is the latest day one Trump appointee to leave the government.
Acquisition
ServiceNow, GSA strike OneGov deal to drive government AI adoption
Government customers can access discounts of up to 70% off select ServiceNow products through the deal.
Digital Government
Labor seeks to require confidential unemployment data from states
The Labor Department is considering creating a single, national claims database for unemployment compensation information.
Emerging Tech
Oak Ridge announces new quantum computing installation
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Quantum Brilliance are marrying quantum and classical systems to advance research in multiple domains.
People
Nick Andersen onboards into top CISA cyber position
Andersen has served in both public and private roles, and he held top cybersecurity positions in the Department of Energy in Donald Trump’s first term.
Acquisition
Microsoft offers major discounts to government customers in latest ‘OneGov’ deal
The discounts could be worth as much as $3.1 billion in year one, according to the General Services Administration.
People
Noem terminates 24 FEMA workers for failing to address cyber vulnerabilities
An internal FEMA email obtained by Nextgov/FCW ordered all agency employees to change their passwords “due to recent cybersecurity incidents and threats.”
People
VA's suicide prevention lead departs government
Dr. Matthew Miller, the executive director for VA Suicide Prevention, has overseen efforts to explore the use of innovative solutions during his tenure.
Defense
Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts
The Army will be in charge of the outfit, which will replace the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.
Artificial Intelligence