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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
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.
People
US spy chief announces plans to shrink ODNI
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the agency will shrink by over 40% as part of a 2.0 restructuring that includes a focus on “ending the weaponization of intelligence.”
People
The Trump administration is considering notifying probationary employees they were fired for cause, actually
The proposal comes despite a new audit finding 99.5% of the 7,300 fired IRS probationers had received fully successful performance ratings, or no ratings at all.
People
Trump administration seeks permission to finalize mass layoffs at HHS
Many of the department's RIFs have been held up by a July court order.
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Artificial Intelligence
Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says
Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.
Updated
People
Layoffs canceled at federal contractor oversight office, but questions remain about employee reassignments
Employees at the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs received a notice that they will get new job assignments rather than be removed from the civil service.
Artificial Intelligence
Education and workforce training form core of national AI strategy, Labor innovation head says
The new Talent Strategy’s tactics aim to upskill the U.S. workforce for artificial intelligence-based roles.
Cybersecurity
Former and current officials clash over CISA’s role in US cyber defenses at Black Hat
CISA’s communications chief backed the narrowing of the agency’s scope, while a former NSA leader warned that shrinking the federal cyber workforce risks weakening U.S. defenses.
Defense
Defense tech office cuts staff down to 40
The cuts to the Defense Technical Information Center are intended to refocus it on “its core statutory mission” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
Cybersecurity
Government layoffs are making us less safe in cyberspace, experts fear
There’s been a mass exodus of government cyber expertise during the Trump administration.
Breaking News
People
Court filing reveals which offices at 17 agencies the Trump administration had slated for layoffs
Some plans have changed, but the document shows new details on RIF plans.
People
VA launches a departmentwide 'review of its mission' as it seeks changes to its operations
Veterans Affairs is no longer planning mass layoffs, but major changes still expected.
People
Trump creates 'Schedule G' to add more political appointees to agencies top ranks
The new, non-career employees will serve in policy-making roles and add "horsepower" to carrying out the administration's agenda, White House says.
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People
The U.S. DOGE Service is still hiring
The hires are intended to fill what used to be the U.S. Digital Service after many employees there left or were laid off.
People