People
Trump nominates third VA CIO since the start of his administration
Gary Shatswell, a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the role of CIO and assistant secretary for information and technology.
People
Plankey withdraws nomination to lead CISA
It’s not clear who Trump will tap to lead the cyberdefense agency following Plankey's withdrawal.
People
Pentagon announces senior appointments to CIO’s office
"Their collective expertise in cybersecurity, defense innovation, and enterprise-level strategy is exactly what we need to accelerate our mission,” Defense CIO Kirsten Davies said about her new leadership team.
Policy
HHS reverses Biden-era restructuring of its IT and tech operations
The move includes transitioning oversight of the agency’s chief technology officer, chief data officer and chief AI officer back to the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Cybersecurity
Pro-Iran hackers claim breach of FBI director’s email
The leaks appear to be authentic, according to a person familiar with the matter.
People
VA’s former EHR lead indicted for concealing contractor gifts
The Department of Justice alleges that John Windom accepted and sometimes demanded various gifts while helming the electronic health record modernization at Veterans Affairs.
People
Agency data leads worry about staff capacity to tackle statutory requirements, survey finds
The Data Foundation found that some 40% of chief data officers lost six or more employees last year.
People
Inspector general group to be led by former Trump administration adviser
A government oversight organization said that the selection of Cheryl Mason, who is the inspector general for the Veterans Affairs Department, shows the White House is “putting more of a thumb on the scale” of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Cybersecurity
Ex-NSA leaders say Americans are becoming ‘numb’ to cyber threats
A serious cyberattack hasn’t prompted a strong enough policy or public reaction, one former director said.
Exclusive
People
New NSA director pushes for more intel-sharing with allies in internal meeting
Gen. Josh Rudd also told members of NSA and Cyber Command that the organizations should still focus on major cyber adversaries like Russia and China, despite the Trump administration’s emphasis on the southern border.
People
Mullin confirmed to lead DHS as shutdown drags on and 100,000 employees remain unpaid
Trump's new DHS chief promises some reforms and renewed staffing efforts.
People
Counterterrorism center head resigns over Iran war
Joe Kent said Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and he could not support the ongoing war.
People
Lawmakers seek watchdog probe into former acting CISA chief’s polygraph failures
A letter penned by House Democrats indicates CISA’s former acting director failed a second polygraph examination during his tenure.
People
VA’s top tech and AI official announces departure
VA Chief Technology Officer and Chief AI Officer Charles Worthington, who first joined the agency in 2017, said in a LinkedIn post that “the time is right for me to step down” from the agency.
Policy
Vought takes aim at GAO in new guidance
This is not the first time the head of the Office of Management and Budget has pushed back against Congress’ watchdog.
People
SEWP’s long-tenured leader is calling it a career
Before leaving government, Joanne Woytek is giving herself enough time to see the popular IT contract's next iteration through protests and into launch.
People
Senate confirms Josh Rudd to lead NSA and Cyber Command
The foreign eavesdropping agency and digital combatant command have not had a permanent leader in place for the past 11 months.
People
Mullin’s appointment to lead DHS raises questions about future of CISA
Following months of turmoil, Kristi Noem’s exit leaves uncertainty around DHS’s cyber mission, after CISA faced hefty workforce cuts and still contends with a leadership vacuum.
People
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.
People