Digital Government
Labor launches new open data portal
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the new portal features “better integration with other federal data sources and enhanced artificial intelligence compatibility for finding, visualizing and using data.”
Cybersecurity
New Treasury initiative targets improved cyber risk management for AI tools
The department says it plans to release deliverables from a public-private working group in phases throughout the rest of February.
Acquisition
FAA launches competition to modernize aging IT portfolio
The Federal Aviation Administration is using a challenge-based acquisition strategy that will require vendors to demonstrate, not just describe, their approach.
People
DEF CON bans hackers, technologists named in Epstein documents
Vincenzo Iozzo, Joichi Ito and Pablos Holman are barred from future attendance after Justice Department files revealed their roles in efforts to secure Jeffrey Epstein’s access to DEF CON.
People
HHS IT leadership experiences additional shakeup
Six of the eight top officials in the department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer are now holding at least one role in an acting capacity.
Digital Government
Lawmaker pitches blueprint for post-DOGE privacy overhaul
Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., wants to redo the government's main privacy law to ensure people’s information is “handled responsibly” when in government hands.
Ideas
2026 diplomacy: own the data layer before the AI layer
COMMENTARY | As global diplomacy enters 2026, infrastructure is destiny.
Cybersecurity
CISA threat-hunting leader to depart for private sector role
Jermaine Roebuck announced his voluntary departure last week. The cyber agency has already lost a third of its workforce in the past year.
Artificial Intelligence
GSA aims to publish results on USAi program, official says
The agency’s chief AI officer discussed what GSA is learning from the new AI procurement program and how it plans to reveal those results.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: AI science challenge; protecting copyright content; and more
Many of this week’s proposals that deal with AI copyright material protections, tech for methane detection and environmental permitting modernization have bipartisan backing.
Exclusive
Digital Government
‘Suicide is only one option': Social Security staff newly assigned to phone duties raise concerns over training
Experts and SSA employees question wisdom of telling callers in crisis that suicide is an option.
People
OMB is hiring for a deputy federal chief information officer
“If you know how to run large systems, cut through noise, and turn strategy into execution across government scale, this is that job,” Federal CIO Gregory Barbaccia said about the search for his deputy.
Cybersecurity
CISA to furlough most of its workforce under impending DHS shutdown
The shutdown would also slow ongoing revamps of a major cyber incident reporting rule that was signed into law in 2022, acting director Madhu Gottumukkala said this week.
Digital Government
Senators demand to know the IRS’ path forward following the end of Direct File
The IRS ended the online, direct-to-government filing program last fall and is doubling down on the free tax filing options it offers through tax prep companies in a partnership called Free File.
Modernization
VA takes initial steps to create a centralized database of veteran research info, official says
The department has created an internal working group to look at “developing a singular database where we can capture veteran enrollment data in real time,” according to Liza Catucci, VA’s acting director of health systems research.
Policy
FBI gathered intelligence on reporters, religious orgs using ‘assessment’ authority, watchdog report says
The bureau also undercounts analysts’ non-compliance with assessment policies because it relies on self-reporting and infrequent audits, the sensitive GAO review adds.
Emerging Tech
When every second counts: government tech helps first responders’ lifesaving missions
For first responders facing unpredictable moments, tech that helps them safely navigate dangerous environments is critical.
Acquisition
Oracle books $88M Air Force Cloud One contract
This award follows a $581 million contract with Amazon Web Services as the Air Force continues to build out its multi-cloud infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence
CMS built a waitlist for its AI chatbot — and that drove momentum — official says
The approach helped the agency get more targeted insights from those familiar with the emerging capabilities.
Policy