Federal CIO Kent Announces Cyber Reskilling Academy
Federal CIO Suzette Kent this morning announced creation of the Federal Cyber Reskilling Academy–a joint effort of the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Education, and the Federal CIO Council Workforce Committee–to kickstart the Federal government’s efforts to address gaps in the Federal cybersecurity workforce and help retrain Federal employees. […]
Feds Reach IT Modernization Tipping Point
A new report from MeriTalk and the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) finds that Federal finance, IT, and procurement experts believe we’ve reached an IT modernization tipping point. […]
DHS Launches ICT Sector Supply Chain Risk Task Force
The Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 30 announced launch of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force, which the agency said is charged with developing “consensus recommendations” to identify and manage risk to the global ICT supply chain. […]
DHS’ Manfra Discusses FISMA Update, Impact to CDM
Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security, said today that the new update to Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) guidance will place even more accountability on department leaders and reflects an evolution in discussions between agencies and DHS. […]
Federal Courts Launch AI Task Force to Draft New Guidance
After two federal judges handed down orders riddled with errors after using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop those orders, the federal judiciary released guidance on how AI should be used and procured securely. […]
Federal Leaders Push Low-Risk, High-Value AI Over Novelty
Federal officials from the Library of Congress and the Department of Energy (DOE) said their agencies are focusing on deploying artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are low risk but deliver measurable value – emphasizing responsible experimentation and strong data over novelty. […]
Navy CTO: Culture, Not Tech, Blocking AI ROI in Government
Despite high investment in artificial intelligence, most public and private sector organizations are still failing to see meaningful returns – a problem rooted not in technology but in culture and measurement, a top federal official said Monday. […]
Energy Secretary Directs FERC to Fast-Track Interconnections for Data Centers
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to initiate rulemaking procedures with a proposed rule to accelerate the interconnection of large electric loads, including data centers, to help the United States lead in AI innovation. […]
DOD: Phase III SBIR/STTR Awards Still Moving
With an ongoing government shutdown and a lapse in funds for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Pentagon has faced growing questions about whether contract activity would grind to a halt. […]
USPTO Is Looking for Its Next Chief AI Officer
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is now hiring for a new chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO), after Jerry Ma stepped down from the role in May. […]
Air Force Seeks Bids to Lease Land for AI Centers
The Department of the Air Force is inviting private companies to build large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers on unused land at five military bases. […]
Democrats Urge OMB to Reinstate Furloughed Fee-Funded Federal Employees
More than 60 Democratic lawmakers are calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate furloughed federal employees whose jobs are funded by collected user fees and resume their pay. […]
DISA to Host 2026 Industry Day on AI, Data Tools
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) announced it plans to host an industry day in February, focusing on artificial intelligence tools, streamlined database systems, and other emerging data management technologies aimed at modernizing government operations. […]
Sen. Fischer Criticizes BEAD Program Changes, Calls for Flexibility in Broadband Plans
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., on Thursday voiced her support of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, while criticizing recent changes to the program that she said have minimized Nebraska’s ability to deploy fiber-based broadband. […]
With 80 percent of every Federal IT dollar spent on life support for legacy systems, the Federal IT community is exploring new options to modernize and innovate – virtualization, cloud computing, Flash technology, software-defined options, shared services, and more. MeriTalk is staying close to the leaders on the front lines, bringing you new ideas and lessons learned.
And, as Federal IT leaders work to meet demands of an “always-on” highly mobile government, we bring you the stories and breaking news on balancing productivity with security. Our government IT news includes how agencies manage advanced persistent threats, and the steps that help guard against socially engineered threats. We look at the latest trends in malware, spyware, ransomware, and spear phishing. And – how can Federal agencies protect data from tomorrow’s cyber threats?
The MeriTalk “Industry Insider” column, offers a weekly news roundup of contracts and other activity in the Federal IT industry. Check with MeriTalk daily for the government technology news you need to know, or subscribe to get the latest stories delivered directly to your inbox. You’ll stay up to date with interesting and timely Federal IT stories on cybersecurity, big data, data center modernization, cloud, mobile, and other developments in your community – from what’s next for the MGT Act to the highly anticipated Federal IT revolving capital fund, MeriTalk brings you the trends and breaking IT news to help you modernize, innovate, and transform public sector technology and the missions you support.