Cybersecurity
Threat intel firms on alert for government systems impacted by Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability
Governments, schools, healthcare providers and large enterprise firms are at risk, one cyber threat intelligence chief said.
Defense
Microsoft ends use of China-based engineers to patch DOD systems
The move comes after a ProPublica report highlighted a Microsoft program that allows foreign engineers to indirectly interact with U.S. military systems through American “escort” intermediaries.
Ideas
Streamlining the Path to FedRAMP High
COMMENTARY | Achieving FedRAMP High Authorization doesn't need to be so laborious.
People
Trump creates 'Schedule G' to add more political appointees to agencies top ranks
The new, non-career employees will serve in policy-making roles and add "horsepower" to carrying out the administration's agenda, White House says.
People
Private letter warned cuts to DHS intel office would ‘create dangerous intelligence gaps’
The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts said in a previously unreported missive that staffing cuts that were initially planned for DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis would “undermine” and “degrade” various intelligence-sharing functions.
Emerging Tech
SECNAV: Robots won’t replace shipbuilders, but they could make jobs ‘easier’
Phelan said shipyards should equip workers with tools like automation and robotics to boost training.
Emerging Tech
NIST uncorks the bottle on entire pancreatic cancer genome
The secret to the success of the program was an anonymous cancer patient who fully consented to making the genetic code of her cancer cells publicly available.
Acquisition
GSA's vision for procurement is about having 'one wallet'
Stephen Ehikian, the General Services Administration's acting leader, compares how GSA wants to approach consolidated common goods and services purchasing to how bulk retail operates.
Digital Government
Agencies to ‘redouble’ efforts to rightsize their workforces following Supreme Court ruling, White House official says
Agencies are still finalizing decisions on whether they have "too many people in the wrong place," official says.
People
Trump’s CISA nominee to testify before Senate panel next week
Sean Plankey served at the Energy Department and National Security Council during Trump’s first term.
Digital Government
GSA plans to optimize operations following cost-cutting, agency head says
GSA’s acting head Stephen Ehikian said “phase two” of the agency’s approach will prioritize becoming “much more efficient, much more effective and [with] much more of an eye towards our stakeholders, which is the American taxpayer.”
Artificial Intelligence
Congress’ AI moratorium isn’t dead yet, Rep. McCormick says
A provision preventing states from enforcing AI regulations did not make it into the final reconciliation law, but advocates are still pushing for its passage.
Artificial Intelligence
Inside VA’s yearslong AI effort to uncover veterans at high risk of suicide
VA’s REACH VET model scans veterans’ electronic health records to identify those in the top 0.1% of suicide risk and then provide them with more targeted support.
Digital Government
Justice pushes agencies to use AI-assisted translations, when offering them at all
The July 14 memo encourages agencies to determine which services would be better operated exclusively in English and to make use of AI where translations are needed.
Acquisition
Idaho National Lab teams up with Microsoft to improve nuclear permitting reviews
The collaboration will enable the lab to use Microsoft’s Azure cloud and artificial AI tech to “streamline and accelerate the review process” for required reports from reactor developers.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hacks into National Guard systems a ‘serious escalation’, experts warn
“Going forward, all U.S. forces must now assume their networks are compromised and will be degraded,” a former Air National Guard servicemember said.
Exclusive
Acquisition
GSA, Uber partner to cut travel costs for feds, military and select contractors
The partnership with Uber for Business has major implications for the federal workforce at home and abroad.
Policy
House NDAA draft mandates database of contractors used in covert operations
The early stage defense bill draft would create an internal list of contractor clients that assist the U.S. military in its secret operations “to facilitate deconfliction and risk assessment.”
Exclusive
People
The U.S. DOGE Service is still hiring
The hires are intended to fill what used to be the U.S. Digital Service after many employees there left or were laid off.
People