People
TSA head who oversaw pipeline cyber rules pushed out by Trump
The TSA under David Pekoske oversaw sweeping pipeline and rail cybersecurity directives as part of a broader Biden-era push to bolster U.S. cyber posture. It’s unclear why he was asked to leave.
People
What Trump’s inaugural address means for federal employees
Many of Trump’s expected Day 1 executive orders will impact government workers.
People
Trump to again freeze federal hiring
The new president will allow some exceptions, but says the freeze is necessary to root out "useless and overpaid" activists from federal rolls.
People
GSA will ‘recommit’ to ‘founding purpose,’ says acting administrator
Stephen Ehikian, previously of Salesforce, has been tapped to serve as GSA’s acting administrator.
Breaking News
People
IRS chief to step down upon Trump's inauguration, well before his term expires
The announcement follows Trump's decision to replace Biden's top tax collection official.
People
Trump’s DHS pick says CISA is ‘far off-mission’ and should be smaller
Current South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wants CISA to be “refocused” on critical infrastructure and to no longer address mis- or disinformation efforts online.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions Chinese firm behind sweeping Salt Typhoon telecom hacks
The Treasury Department also sanctioned an individual involved in recent Chinese hacks into its own systems.
Ideas
Why CIOs should prioritize people and process
The next level of transformation for federal IT organizations can only happen when we prioritize these pillars.
Artificial Intelligence
Accenture Federal’s new CEO eyes AI-driven transformation during Trump 2.0
Ron Ash sees agencies as having opportunities ahead to modernize legacy systems and improve efficiency by harnessing the power of new tools like agentic artificial intelligence.
Cybersecurity
Space companies say cyber threat intelligence is often overclassified, unactionable
Space and aerospace industry feedback from a series of government-run workshops noted that such threat intelligence is difficult to translate into actionable cyber efforts.
People
Trump’s pick for OMB chief defends removing civil service protections, withholding appropriated funds
Russ Vought laments "weaponized bureaucracies" as he draws bipartisan criticism for declining to commit to following spending laws.
Digital Government
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
People
Industry tech executive Casey Coleman heads to ServiceNow
She previously worked at Salesforce, in addition to other industry and government positions.
People
Trump taps IBM’s Darío Gil for Energy’s undersecretary for science and innovation
Gil previously served on Trump’s President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology under his first administration.
Cybersecurity
Biden signs executive order inspired by lessons from recent cyberattacks
The order gives CISA more eyes to hunt cyber threats on government networks and directs agencies and contractors to be more transparent about the security of their software stockpiles.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon breach was first detected on federal networks, CISA head says
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly said the group was first detected “before we understood it was Salt Typhoon.”
Digital Government
OMB issues OPEN Government Data Act guidance 6 years after its signing
The law requires agency data to be open by default.
People
Trump pick for CIA chief pledges to remain apolitical amid past controversies
John Ratcliffe was questioned over whether he’d remain an impartial national security official after past incidents as Trump’s former director of national intelligence.
People
‘I know what I don’t know,’ SecDef pick says at confirmation hearing
Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
Ideas