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DOD names James “Aaron” Bishop to serve as CISO
Bishop previously served as CISO for the Air Force and as the CISO and VP at Science Applications International Corporation before that.
NIST director nominee commits to support AI standards-setting, manufacturing
Arvind Raman told lawmakers that it is “vitally important” that the U.S. lead in global standards-setting so that the country’s values are entrenched in AI development.
Updated
Trump to fire DHS Secretary Noem, selects Mullin as successor
The controversial Homeland Security leader will end her tenure amid a budget shutdown of her agency and following bipartisan criticism in both houses of Congress.
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Trump’s CISA nominee said he left Coast Guard to address GOP hold
Sean Plankey confirmed the intent to Nextgov/FCW and said he’s “prepared to lead the nation’s cyber defense agency to protect the federal civilian networks and our nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber attacks.”
Trump’s CISA nominee to exit Coast Guard role, but still in running to lead cyber agency
Sean Plankey has been serving in a Coast Guard advisory role for some months and is still set to be the nominee to lead CISA.
CISA appoints new acting cyber chief after recent leadership shakeups
Chris Butera is now serving as acting executive assistant director for CISA’s cybersecurity division, after its former occupant, Nick Andersen, stepped into the top leadership role at the cyber agency.
CISA acting director moved to new DHS role
Madhu Gottumukkala will be moved into a strategic implementation role in the Department of Homeland Security. Nick Andersen will take his place.
Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience
The senator, in part, took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.
CISA CIO expected to leave agency after receiving transfer orders
Last month, the cyber agency’s acting director reportedly took steps to transfer Costello, but other political appointees blocked it.
DOJ elevates deputy CIO to top IT role
Nikki Collier had been serving as the acting CIO since Melinda Rogers left the role last year, according to the CIO Council’s website.
Top NSC cyber official returns to academia
For the last year, JD Work was a high-ranking official working on cyber policy within the White House National Security Council.
Federal CIO tapped for dual-hatted role at GSA
Greg Barbaccia will serve as the acting Technology Transformation Services director and senior advisor to the administrator at GSA, while its previous lead, Thomas Shedd, will remain with the agency in another role.
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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.
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.
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.
CISA’s acting chief says 70 staff were reassigned to other DHS offices in last year
The cyberdefense agency in turn received some 30 employees from other DHS components, while a “handful” of CISA staffers were transferred to ICE, Madhu Gottumukkala told lawmakers.
Announcing the 2026 Federal 100
These 100 people made exceptional contributions to the government IT ecosystem last year.
Dem lawmakers propose 4.1% raise for feds in 2027
The annual reintroduction of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act aims to set a baseline for negotiations around federal employee compensation for the coming year.
Gabbard’s expanded role in election security draws scrutiny
Since the start of the year, the White House chief of staff and DHS secretary have met multiple times to discuss election security, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard has been present in at least one of those meetings, according to a U.S. official.
Gabbard’s office denies wrongdoing amid scrutiny over whistleblower complaint
ODNI said she acted within her authority in response to reports describing an NSA-intercepted phone call tied to the case.
