Cybersecurity
China-linked ‘Silk Typhoon’ hackers accessed Commvault cloud environments, person familiar says
The hacking unit previously infiltrated Treasury Department networks and compromised some of the agency’s most sensitive systems.
Modernization
House bill wants VA to pilot cloud-based medical supply management system
The bipartisan proposal from Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., would direct the agency to test the system at one VA medical facility before potentially expanding it out further.
Artificial Intelligence
The Army has rolled out a generative AI workspace to improve daily operations
And because those tools guzzle cloud compute, the service is also looking at ways to cut costs and maintain efficiency.
Acquisition
Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI authorized for IL6 Defense operations
Microsoft’s artificial intelligence offerings are now available at the highest impact level classification for the Department of Defense.
Modernization
GSA launches FedRAMP revamp
One major goal of the changes is to speed up the timeframe for agencies to get access to the latest technology quickly, “not months or years down the road,” the agency’s acting administrator said.
Modernization
FedRAMP to announce major overhaul next week
The initiative would seek to automate much of the cloud security program’s approval workflow and shift more control to the private sector.
Acquisition
Google eyes security growth in planned $32B Wiz acquisition
The global tech giant undertakes its largest-ever purchase as cloud and artificial intelligence threats evolve.
Defense
The Pentagon’s next major cloud contract is in the works
It may be even bigger than its $9 billion predecessor.
Cybersecurity
US lawmakers ask UK court for transparency into Apple backdoor order
The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.
People
Veterans Affairs loses cybersecurity migration project lead after DOGE layoffs
Another project co-lead is among the 21 legacy USDS staffers who chose to leave civil service this week rather than work with DOGE.
Digital Government
Solving the cloud cost equation
Agencies should take a deliberate approach to the cloud.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI debuts ChatGPT Gov for federal agency use
The new chatbot brings the same capabilities from the public model to government-approved and secure cloud environments for federal workloads.
Ideas
Attract — and retain — talent with a better developer experience
Cloud-native orgs attract the right kind of tech talent.
Cybersecurity
CISA orders federal agencies to secure their cloud environments
Federal civilian agencies are compelled by the Binding Operational Directive to adopt specific cloud standards under SCuBA, a government blueprint that helps agencies assess cloud security security guidelines.
Acquisition
A decade-old risk led to ‘phenomenal partnership’ between AWS and the intel community
The move to bring highly classified systems to the cloud was uncharted territory for both the company and the CIA.
Digital Government
Cloud and AI are ‘fundamentally changing’ ability to forecast weather, NOAA chief says
Half of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s environmental data now runs on AWS.
Defense
Army aims to move its pay system to the cloud by 2027
Oracle will soon host the service’s HR systems, under the Pentagon’s biggest cloud contracting vehicle.
Emerging Tech
Salesforce launches new top secret cloud environment
The software company said it is the first provider to deliver a true commercial cloud that has received Top Secret accreditation with platform- and software-as-a-service capabilities for the intelligence community.
Artificial Intelligence
Google announces AI offering for classified environments
A “large percentage” of U.S. military and intelligence agencies briefed on the upcoming Gemini version expressed interest in the tool, a Google executive said.
Ideas