People
ODNI deputy director pushed out amid Pulte cuts
An estimated 15 to 20 individuals who were assigned to the Mission Integration directorate from other intelligence community components are believed to have returned to their respective agencies.
Defense
DOD quantum strategy ‘a first step’ in preparing for the future, CIO says
Pentagon Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the department’s new post-quantum cryptography strategy is only one component of ensuring its operations “are robust and ready in an increasingly unpredictable world.”
People
Sean Gallagher selected as NASA CIO
Having served as acting chief information officer since January, Gallagher’s permanent appointment is “effective immediately,” the agency said.
People
Lawmakers warn acting DNI against using role for major workforce shakeups
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., cited concerns about reported ODNI staff cuts while Bill Pulte temporarily leads the intelligence community.
People
Intelligence director hearing cancelled as Trump pushes for controversial voter bill
The development guarantees that Bill Pulte — whose selection to temporarily lead the office derailed a recent FISA vote — would start as acting national intelligence director on Friday.
People
CISA sees leadership shakeup after infrastructure security chief moves to ONCD
The personnel moves come as CISA prepares to hire hundreds of new employees following a year of layoffs, buyouts and internal restructuring.
Policy
House vote puts Section 702 on brink of historic lapse amid fight over acting spy chief
Trump’s plan to nominate Jay Clayton as permanent top spy may ease Democrats’ concerns, but lawmakers remain at odds over whether Bill Pulte will lead the intelligence community during the transition.
Exclusive
Artificial Intelligence
Lack of White House guidance has complicated agency Mythos adoption, people familiar say
Agency tech leaders say they don’t have clear direction from the White House on how to access and implement Anthropic’s cyber-focused AI model for their networks.
Cybersecurity
New CISA directive would reshape how agencies prioritize cyber risk, official says
The forthcoming mandate aims to triage vulnerabilities by real-world consequences of a successful cyberattack, marking a major shift in how the government decides which cyber risks demand attention first.
People
VA CIO nominee vows to create program management office
Gary Shatswell, President Donald Trump’s pick to helm VA’s IT operations, told lawmakers creating the office is “one of the first tasks that I will be going after” if confirmed to the role.
People
Trump to soon nominate CISA head, DHS secretary says
Markwayne Mullin said a nominee to lead the cyber agency is coming soon, even as questions remain over whether an IBM security executive remains a leading candidate.
People
Pulte appointment threatens fragile spy powers deal
Senate Democrats are warning that Trump’s move to install the FHFA director at the head of the nation’s top intel office could make it harder to pass an extension for Section 702 of FISA.
Exclusive
Artificial Intelligence
Anthropic held cyberthreat briefings with agency CIOs last month
Discussions included how to defend digital assets following the debut of advanced AI models, like Anthropic’s Mythos.
Breaking News
People
Trump appoints housing official to be acting director of national intelligence
The selection is unconventional for the nation’s lead intelligence official, a role tasked with managing 18 distinct agencies like the CIA and NSA.
People
Top White House cyber policy official to soon depart
Alexandra Seymour currently serves as principal deputy assistant national cyber director for policy in the Office of the National Cyber Director.
Updated
People
Gabbard to resign as director of national intelligence, citing husband’s health
Her exit marks the end of a 16-month tenure overseeing the nation’s spy agencies, where the former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate sought to reshape ODNI around Trump’s priorities.
People
Ryan Donaghy returns to CISA as first chief operating officer
Donaghy previously served in acting leadership roles across two of the agency’s divisions and moved to the Transportation Security Administration in October.
Digital Government
DOGE is about making government services easier to access, its head says
In a rare public speaking appearance in which DOGE was discussed, its acting administrator Amy Gleason painted a different vision of its work than that pursued during the government-slashing efforts last year.
Exclusive
People
White House taps Education’s tech lead as new deputy federal CIO
Thomas Flagg is a longtime government executive, having worked in the Labor Department for over 11 years prior to joining the Education Department.
People