Digital Government
Inaugural ‘GSA Labs’ cohort identifies $229M in potential savings, agency says
The 25 employees selected for the program completed six projects focused on workplace experience, website consolidation and other agency priorities.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon personnel breach — undetected for months — renews cyber standard scrutiny
Unauthorized users accessed sensitive records for roughly nine months before discovery, exposing another government personnel data fiasco as the FBI confronts its own breach incident.
Defense
‘Digital employees’ are coming to the Defense Logistics Agency
Nearly 200 agentic-AI bots are already running autonomously as the combat support agency pushes ahead with AI-powered tools, CIO says.
Defense
‘We have to throw technology at the cyber problem,’ Pentagon CIO says
Defense Department Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the Pentagon has to focus on “leveraging the fantastically skilled people that we have in a much more effective way.”
People
CISA has roughly 250 prospective hires awaiting clearance, agency chief says
Acting Director Nick Andersen says the agency is prioritizing operational teams and regional staff as it works to rebuild its workforce after reductions last year.
Artificial Intelligence
OPM memo pushes agencies to speed up hiring with AI
The federal human resources department is exploring new AI tools for USA JOBS, USA Staffing and other USA hiring tools as agencies use AI in their hiring processes, according to the memo.
Artificial Intelligence
Commerce official warns of obsolescence without AI adoption
Job replacement due to AI is less of a threat than falling behind due to lack of adoption, Senior Advisor for Technology and Strategy Matheus Passos said.
Exclusive
People
House Democrats ask GAO to review CISA workforce cuts
Lawmakers want Congress’ watchdog to assess what capabilities were lost after the cyber agency shed roughly one-third of its staff.
People
National crisis and support hotline operations remained consistent despite staffing cuts, watchdog found
Some staff operating mental health support hotlines at the departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs were subject to reductions in force last year and have not yet been replaced.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers propose giving 2015 OPM breach victims identity protection for life
The federal government’s coverage for 22.1 million people hoovered up in the China-linked breaches is scheduled to end Sept. 30.
People
GSA official says veterans' preference in federal hiring is hampering tech recruiting
A government workforce expert told Government Executive that many hiring rules, including veterans’ preference, have become “procedural hurdles rather than achieving the intended outcome” because they haven’t been updated in decades.
People
U.S. Digital Corps graduates largest class of fellows yet
“This government has starved for talent,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said during graduation remarks.
People
Pulte announces 30% ODNI staff reduction hours before Clayton vote
The acting intelligence chief said a fifth and “near final” round of terminations was underway Tuesday but did not disclose how many employees were affected.
People
Pentagon closes cyber apprenticeship applications early after receiving over 15,000
A Pentagon official told Nextgov/FCW that the agency is “rolling out additional apprenticeship positions over the next few weeks.”
Artificial Intelligence
AI won’t replace human claims processors, VA officials say, as Democrats worry over staffing levels
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., said some VA employees report claims processing technologies are producing incorrect information.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon opens applications for cyber apprenticeship program
DOD Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said last month that the apprenticeship had “already generated more than 70,000 inquiries” since it was first announced in late April.
Defense
Seizing the digital advantage at DOD
Defense Department CIO Kirsten Davies said her office is shifting away from its traditional role as a backend policy shop to become a forward-leaning strategic unit.
People
Some disabled veterans say losing telework accommodations is making it harder for them to keep working at the VA
Employees with disabilities at several agencies have alleged that they’re being forced to return to the office, even though the Trump administration’s directive ending telework flexibility for the civil service exempted those with qualifying reasonable accommodations.
People
Pentagon launches ‘War Force’ initiative to onboard tech talent
The new recruitment effort was started in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management and operates under that agency’s larger Tech Force program.
People