People
Cori Zarek exits USDS
The deputy administrator of the U.S. Digital Service has left for a new job at Apolitical.
Cybersecurity
Under a quarter of rural hospitals are using White House’s free cyber resource program, official says
The commitments from industry leaders announced in June seek to help small healthcare centers boost their cybersecurity posture.
Emerging Tech
OMB’s call for manual network scans during PQC transitions is ‘undoable,’ industry officials say
The Office of Management and Budget’s preference for conducting a manual network scan over an automated analysis has drawn criticism from private sector entities ahead of migration efforts to post-quantum cryptography.
Cybersecurity
White House plan looks to secure a foundational piece of the global internet
The roadmap for improving the Border Gateway Protocol calls on the federal government to contract with firms that can provide available secure internet routing technologies.
People
Biden formally announces 2% average pay raise for feds in 2025
The president each August must declare an “economic emergency” to prevent large automatic increases to locality pay from taking effect, in accordance with the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
Emerging Tech
FCC rule grants drone operators spectrum access for navigation
The agency said assigning spectrum access in the 5GHz band is an initial step toward integrating drones into the National Airspace System.
Cybersecurity
CrowdStrike exec to testify in September on last month’s global IT outage
Adversaries closely watched the incident unravel, a House lawmaker said.
People
Trump calls federal workforce 'crooked,' vows to hold them 'accountable'
In an interview with a right-wing Youtuber, the former president seemingly alluded to reviving Schedule F and other Trump-era policies aimed at making it easier to fire federal employees.
Digital Government
Cost of VA’s Digital GI Bill has nearly doubled amid delays and contract challenges
The agency’s Office of Inspector General said in a new report that initial contract requirements for the Digital GI Bill platform “were unclear and included unrealistic expectations.”
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI, Anthropic to collab with NIST on AI safety testing
The standards agency's AI Safety Institute obtained access to "major models" from the two AI leaders ahead of their public release for testing purposes.
Cybersecurity
US efforts to stop Chinese hackers haven’t been fully effective, FBI official says
Taking a more offensive approach against the hacking collective may risk escalation with China, a senior intelligence official said Wednesday.
Digital Government
NSA to debut podcast to boost public awareness of classified missions
The agency’s “No Such Podcast” series is launching soon. It will host experts across NSA to discuss its role in various intelligence missions.
Defense
Special operators hope AI can reduce civilian deaths in combat
Automation could eventually turn “trigger-pullers into the experts that can do this,” one official said.
Policy
Both Harris and Trump are historically behind on presidential transition planning
GSA is beginning to provide office space and information technology support to the candidates, who have both just recently named the heads of their transition teams.
Artificial Intelligence
NSF launches AI-driven biotech research program
The National Science Foundation is funding five projects within its new BioFoundries program, which aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate research in biosciences.
Acquisition
US intelligence agencies eye closer partnerships with private sector
The efforts include a new partnership-focused office, engagement goals for employees and efforts to make information more accessible, a top intelligence official said Tuesday.
Digital Government
SSI to move core disability program application online
The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.
Digital Government
AI can help FOIA offices combat onslaught of bot-powered requests, report says
According to a report from software firm OPEXUS, 93% of FOIA officers believe “AI has a key role to play in helping to review, sort and deduplicate requests.”
Defense
Army puts new unit loaded with cutting-edge tech to the test
The reconnaissance unit is the poster child for Army plans to field more drones, electronic warfare, and communications equipment across the force.
Digital Government