Cybersecurity
US push to counter hackers draws industry deeper into offensive cyber debate
The White House is expanding the market for offensive cyber capabilities — and drawing more of the private sector into that ecosystem — even as policy boundaries around their use remain unclear.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI national security lead endorses ‘appropriate human judgment’ in AI
Sasha Baker, OpenAI’s head of national security policy, said a “workforce transformation” is needed to make sure that humans are making the final calls to keep people and systems safe.
Cybersecurity
Anthropic’s Glasswing initiative raises questions for US cyber operations
Intelligence officials and industry are weighing how Claude Mythos Preview could reshape hacking and cyberdefense. The company has also briefed senior officials on the AI model it says has already uncovered thousands of cyber vulnerabilities.
Acquisition
Trade and industry groups warn of risks in GSA’s draft AI procurement guidance
The guidance would establish government rights to use artificial intelligence tools in “any lawful” context, a stipulation that has drawn concern from industry advocates.
Acquisition
Vendors struggle to navigate the Anthropic ban’s fallout
Tech contractors say ambiguity in how Anthropic’s products are able to be used by companies working with the federal government is leaving “traps” they may unknowingly fall into.
Acquisition
VHA, Labor Department tap Salesforce for critical modernization efforts
Both efforts center around the company’s agentic technology offerings.
Cybersecurity
European officials highlight private sector help in major cybercrime takedowns
Industry helped European law enforcement groups in operations that tracked and dismantled assets tied to major cybercrime gangs like Scattered Spider.
People
Trump names CEOs, nuclear fusion founders and Nobel laureate to tech advisory council
The announcement includes 13 of the possible 24 members that will make up the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Cybersecurity
Google launches threat disruption unit, stops short of calling it ‘offensive’
The unit will use legal authorizations and technical capabilities to impede cyber threat groups, though company execs say it will not go so far as to hack into adversaries' systems.
Cybersecurity
National cyber director doesn’t envision industry doing offensive hacking
Sean Cairncross wants the private sector to use its technical prowess to inform U.S. government offensive and defensive decisions.
Cybersecurity
Stryker hack could set stage for more pro-Iran cyber sabotage
A top lawmaker said his team is in touch with the company.
Artificial Intelligence
AI has created ‘almost infinite demand’ for memory components, Dell execs say
With core components of artificial intelligence infrastructure — namely memory — already scarce and in demand, Dell executives want policymakers to not create more obstacles via regulation.
Acquisition
Microsoft takes Anthropic's side in DOD fight, warns it sets a new precedent
In a court briefing, Microsoft argues the Defense Department is using a national security policy designed for foreign adversaries against a U.S. company over a contract dispute.
Cybersecurity
CISA launches investigation into Stryker cyberattack
The hack arguably represents the most significant cyber incident linked to the recent Iran war.
Acquisition
INDOPACOM was all in on Anthropic. Now it’s working to adjust
The administration’s government-wide ban on the company’s AI tools has forced the command to work faster to be “model-neutral.”
People
DOJ clears the way for government to hire technologists still connected to their private sector employers
Ethics experts and public sector lawyers told Nextgov/FCW that they are skeptical about the arrangement of private sector technologists joining the government on leaves of absence while retaining their deferred compensation packages.
Acquisition
State offloads Claude as underpinning model in flagship StateChat
The agency moved its chatbot to operate on OpenAI’s GPT 4.1, internal document shows.
Acquisition
Anthropic sues over a dozen federal agencies and government leaders
The company asserts that the administration’s actions to designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk and order its removal from all federal agencies are retaliatory and not based on risk to national security.
Acquisition
Private sector, former military leaders urge Congress intervene in Pentagon-Anthropic dispute
Over 30 former military officers and individuals working in tech sent a letter to congressional leadership expressing concern over the Pentagon-Anthropic dispute and asking for lawmakers to take action to reign in executive power and set AI guardrails.
Artificial Intelligence