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

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

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. 

Modernization

Oracle wins $396M federal HR systems overhaul contract

The Office of Personnel Management is using the contract to consolidate more than 100 systems into a single platform covering 2 million federal employees.

People

Tech Force set out to hire 1,000 technologists last year — it’s onboarded 10 so far

The effort is meant to infuse the government with young engineers, cyber and data workers. It follows the loss of almost 20,000 technology workers through the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the workforce last year.

Exclusive Digital Government

GSA taps Greg Hogan as head of government’s identity proofing service, Login.gov

Hogan previously worked at the Office of Personnel Management, an early DOGE stronghold, and more recently in the White House’s National Design Studio.

People

Senators demand OPM withdraw plan to access feds’ medical records

More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers warned that a little-scrutinized proposal to collect claims-level data related to the Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs could violate federal law and doctor-client confidentiality.

People

OPM cuts degree requirements for government tech jobs in new standards

The changes have been years in the making and represent a federal hiring apparatus more focused on applicable skills than specific backgrounds.

People

OPM seeks cybersecurity talent to join Tech Force

"Through Tech Force, we’re recruiting highly skilled cybersecurity professionals to take on real challenges and strengthen the government’s defenses where it matters most,” OPM director Scott Kupor said in a statement.

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.

People

Agencies lost around 20,000 tech workers last year — and now the Trump admin is hiring

All six departments and agencies that lost the most IT talent currently have open job listings for such roles.

People

Trump’s Tech Force hiring effort extends application deadline

Ethical questions remain about how managers from the approximately 30 industry partners involved in the program will work for the government without triggering conflicts of interest.

People

CISA opens 100 applications for CyberCorps students

Earlier hiring snags had forced the scholarship program to pause recruitment of top student talent for cyber jobs.

People

Trump admin launches US Tech Force to recruit temporary workers after shedding thousands this year

Some of the recruits to government service will be on leaves of absence from private sector companies while working for government — a setup that raises ethical questions about conflicts of interest.

Digital Government

DOGE no longer has ‘centralized leadership’ under White House tech team, personnel head says

The team that was altered to house DOGE — formerly the U.S. Digital Service — is also still doing its own technology work across agencies.

People

OPM to pursue ‘mass deferment’ of deadlines for CyberCorps students

The extensions would occur once the government shutdown ends, the government’s personnel agency said. An exact deferment length was not given.

People

How Trump’s OPM director wants to attract tech talent after months of workforce cuts

OPM Director Scott Kupor wants to bring on new feds with cutting edge skills, but the government’s recent flood of layoffs and resignations could complicate that effort. With a government shutdown ongoing, too, the administration is threatening more layoffs.

Artificial Intelligence

OPM adds OpenAI to its employees’ computers

The government’s personnel agency is taking advantage of the General Services Administration’s OneGov deal with OpenAI.

People

OPM tech lead Greg Hogan leaves post

The personnel agency’s handling of sensitive agency data — and who can access it — has been at the center of many lawsuits since the start of Trump 2.0.

People

Lawmakers look to ease educational requirements for federal cyber workforce

New legislation from Reps. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, attempts to expand the U.S. government’s pool of cyber talent by promoting skills-based hiring.