Cybersecurity
CyberCorps talent pipeline buckles under Trump hiring freezes
The cornerstone program for training and placing student talent into government cybersecurity positions has been hobbled by recent federal employment logjams, jeopardizing workforce pipelines and leaving many recruits burdened by debt.
Artificial Intelligence
Even if you’re furloughed, your skills don’t have to be
Google is stepping up with the launch of an entire set of free online courses to teach people, including furloughed feds, how to use AI to boost productivity and prepare for what’s next.
Artificial Intelligence
Salesforce pitches AI agents as the government sheds staff
Amid the White House’s ongoing push to reduce the federal workforce, “government will be the largest users of agentic technologies of any industry,” predicted one Salesforce exec.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles
A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI researchers see current chatbot use supporting — not replacing — workers
A study co-authored by OpenAI found ChatGPT to primarily be used in decision-making capacities, minimizing its potential as a worker replacement.
Cybersecurity
Top cyber lawmaker wants answers on CISA workforce reductions
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., penned a strongly-worded letter to CISA’s acting director asking for an update on the status of the cyberdefense agency’s staffing posture.
Cybersecurity
Inside America’s next information war
Washington is paring back its defenses against influence operations, even as adversaries supercharge them with AI. Much of the fight is shifting to the private sector.
People
Hundreds of DHS staff face reassignments to border security, immigration
Affected workers — including people in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — have been given a week to respond or risk termination from federal service.
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.
People
DHS intelligence office sent deferred resignation offers to shed staff in recent months
The DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis is working to incrementally reduce the size of its workforce, following plans for mass cuts that faced severe pushback from stakeholders over the summer.
Cybersecurity
Shutdown could erode cyber defenses by sidelining critical staff, experts warn
A government shutdown would also occur in parallel with the lapse of a critical cyber information-sharing law that could create legal liabilities for companies who send threat data to feds.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
‘Widespread’ breach let hackers steal employee data from FEMA and CBP
A Citrix vulnerability — suspected to have led to firings of multiple FEMA technology staff — enabled the breach, which let hackers pilfer data from FEMA servers connected to states at the southern border.
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
Treasury, GSA partner to reward feds who ID wasteful contract spending
Parts of the program could eventually expand beyond the Treasury Department.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Suspected Chinese operation aims to recruit former feds with job postings, research shows
Researchers at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies uncovered a network of likely fraudulent China-linked websites operating as far back as 2021. One has very recently tried to recruit former federal workers and policy experts.
People
Noem terminates 24 FEMA workers for failing to address cyber vulnerabilities
An internal FEMA email obtained by Nextgov/FCW ordered all agency employees to change their passwords “due to recent cybersecurity incidents and threats.”
People
Transportation launches administrative consolidation effort
Whether the push to consolidate IT and HR systems will include layoffs isn’t yet clear.
People
Navy CIO Jane Rathbun announces departure from civil service
Rathbun told Nextgov/FCW earlier this year that one of her priorities as CIO was transforming the U.S. Navy into a more data-centric organization.
Breaking News
People
IRS is canceling its layoff plans, will ask some it fired or pushed out to return
After pushing 26,000 employees out, the tax agency is scrambling to find enough personnel to carry out its duties.
People