//
Air Force Unveils Network of the Future Strategy
Published on
Department of the Air Force seal. DAF unveiled the Network of the Future Strategy.

The Department of the Air Force has unveiled a new strategy outlining how the DAF will deliver a resilient and adaptive encrypted network that facilitates real-time data sharing in support of warfighters.

DAF Network of the Future Strategy’s Objectives

The department’s Network of the Future Strategy has six objectives: bolster network resilience; increase operational scalability and flexibility; secure the network of the future; streamline network management; integrate the network environment; and enable the workforce of the future.

“This strategy will serve as our North Star as we address rapidly evolving threats and rising demand for seamless connectivity, empowering our warfighters with the data they need, when and where they need it most,” the DAF Chief Information Officer said in a LinkedIn post published Wednesday.

Bolstering Network Resilience by Migrating to SD-WAN

One objective is strengthening network resilience by migrating to a software-defined wide area network, or SD-WAN, for transport routing and incorporating 5G technology, satellite and other alternative transport methods to ensure the flexible movement of data in the face of high network demand.

According to the strategy, SD-WAN could help enhance network flexibility and responsiveness by making it easier to deliver secure connections to cloud and off-site data center applications. 

DAF said the integration of 5G, satellite and new transport methods will support future missions by strengthening network resilience and improving bandwidth capacity.

/
Amit Kshatriya Named NASA ​Associate Administrator
Published on
NASA's Amit Kshatriya. Amit Kshatriya has been appointed associate administrator at NASA.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has named Amit Kshatriya the agency’s new associate administrator, the highest-ranking civil service position.

The agency said Wednesday Kshatriya will oversee program planning and execution for crewed missions to the Moon through the Artemis campaign in preparation for humanity’s first mission to Mars.

Who Is Amit Kshatriya?

Kshatriya has dedicated nearly two decades of service to NASA, gaining valuable operational and strategic experience. Before his most recent promotion, he served as deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars program in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. In this role, he oversaw the execution of the initiative’s initial segments, including Artemis’ human lunar return and the development of foundational surface exploration elements.

The executive also served as deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars program, assistant deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development and deputy manager of the ISS Vehicle Office. He was also flight director, robotics operations lead, and chief training officer.

Before joining NASA, Kshatriya spent over three years at United Space Alliance. He was part of the engineering staff of the ISS mechanical and robotics systems and the computer science staff of the space shuttle avionics development.

“Under his leadership, the agency will chart a bold vision to return to the Moon during President Trump’s term. Amit’s knowledge, integrity, and unwavering commitment to pioneering a new era of exploration make him uniquely qualified to lead our agency as associate administrator,” said Duffy.

/
NSF Seeks to Advance AI Research Through New Operations Center
Published on
Artificial intelligence. NSF issued a solicitation for an effort to establish NAIRR-OC.

The National Science Foundation has begun soliciting proposals for an initiative to establish a community-based center that will oversee the development of the overarching framework, management structure and operations strategy to support an integrated national infrastructure for artificial intelligence research and education.

National AI Research Resource Operations Center

NSF said Wednesday the proposed National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center, or NAIRR-OC, seeks to transition the NAIRR Pilot into a sustainable national program that will accelerate AI research capabilities.

“The NAIRR Operating Center solicitation marks a key step in the transition from the NAIRR Pilot to building a sustainable and scalable NAIRR program,” said Katie Antypas, director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with private sector and agency partners, whose contributions have been critical in demonstrating the innovation and scientific impact that comes when critical AI resources are made accessible to research and education communities across the country,” added Antypas.

According to the solicitation, NAIRR-OC seeks to establish the organizational management, operational framework and success metrics for NAIRR; launch a web portal for streamlined access to tools; integrate advanced computing and data resources; and collaborate with partner organizations to build a national AI research community.

Proposals are due Feb. 4, 2026.

What Is the NAIRR-Pilot?

Launched in 2024, the NAIRR Pilot aims to create a national infrastructure to help advance AI innovation by expanding access to data, computational, model and training resources.

The pilot has linked over 400 U.S. research teams to datasets, computing platforms, models and software to accelerate breakthroughs in cybersecurity, drug discovery, agriculture and other fields. It has been supported by 14 federal agencies and 28 nonprofit and private-sector partners.

///
US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance
Published on
Software development. NSA, CISA and global partners release SBOM guidance to improve software supply chain transparency.

The National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in collaboration with cybersecurity agencies from more than a dozen countries, have released a joint guidance highlighting the importance of a software bill of materials. The publication, titled “A Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for Cybersecurity,” urges software producers, procurers and operators to adopt SBOM practices to strengthen visibility into supply chains and reduce risks, NSA said Wednesday.US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance

Potomac Officers Club will host the 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. The event brings together senior leaders from across the intelligence community to explore emerging threats, technological advances and strategic opportunities shaping national security today. Register today to secure your spot and engage with decision-makers and thought leaders driving the future of the IC.

Enhancing Supply Chain Security

An SBOM is described as a “list of ingredients” for software, documenting the components, modules and libraries used to build an application. The guidance notes that most modern software is built on open-source and proprietary elements, making it critical to increase transparency around software dependencies. By generating, analyzing and sharing SBOMs, organizations can improve vulnerability management, supply chain risk assessments, license compliance and software development practices, the guidance stated.

The document highlights how SBOMs helped organizations respond more efficiently to the 2021 Log4j vulnerability. Those with SBOM data were able to identify affected components faster, while those without had to rely on time-consuming manual checks.

Driving SBOM Adoption

The guidance aligns SBOM implementation with the Secure by Design initiative, which encourages technology manufacturers to normalize the development of products that are secure out of the box. It calls for automation in SBOM generation and integration into existing security and asset management tools to ensure effectiveness and scalability.

“Widespread adoption of SBOM will strengthen security, reduce risk, and decrease costs,” the authoring agencies said. They also warned that diverging implementations could hinder progress, stressing the need for a coordinated international approach.

The effort was developed in partnership with the Australian Cyber Security Centre; the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security; the French Cybersecurity Agency; Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency; South Korea’s National Intelligence Service; and more than 10 other national authorities. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology also contributed to the guidance.

//
Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
Published on
U.S. Space Command logo. The U.S. Space Command will call Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as its new home

President Trump has announced that the U.S. Space Command will relocate from its current headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

In a press conference Tuesday, the president said the move will create over 30,000 jobs and result in hundreds of billions of dollars in investments for the state of Alabama.

Learn about how the U.S. is staying competitive with adversaries during the space IT panel at the 2025 GovCon International Summit, and in NATO space expert MG Devin Pepper’s keynote at the event.

Why Is US Space Command Moving to Alabama?

According to Trump, SPACECOM will be critical in the development of the Golden Dome of America, a missile defense system that will shield U.S. citizens and infrastructure from airborne threats.

“We were losing the race in space very badly to China and Russia, and now we’re far and away No. 1 in space, and we’re [reestablishing] SPACECOM with a mission to protect American space assets and detect any threat to our homeland,” the president stated.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 Award winner, added during the press conference that SPACECOM’s move to Alabama would also ensure that the U.S. will stay “leaps and bounds ahead” of competition.

He stressed the importance of the space domain.

“Whoever controls the skies will control the future of warfare,” Hegseth said. “Mr. President, today you’re ensuring that happens.”

Background on US Space Command

Spacecom was originally established in 1985, deestablished in 2002 and reestablished in 2019, during Trump’s first term. The unified combatant command is involved in the U.S. military’s activities in space and is in charge of defending American satellites from threats.

Reuters reported that, based on congressional records, SPACECOM has around 1,700 personnel.

Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
/
GSA, ServiceNow Partner on AI-Driven Government Modernization
Published on
Handshake representing partnership. GSA and ServiceNow have partnered to offer an AI-driven government modernization platform

The General Services Administration and ServiceNow have entered into a OneGov agreement to provide federal agencies access to an advanced artificial intelligence-driven modernization platform.

GSA said Wednesday the collaboration aims to enhance government workflow efficiency and optimize agentic transformation by providing them access to the ServiceNow AI Platform through a streamlined licensing model.

ServiceNow AI Platform

Through the OneGov agreement, federal agencies aiming to modernize their technology using intelligent automation, predictive analytics, process mining and workplace optimization can access ServiceNow’s AI platform and other offerings. The company’s Information Technology Service Management Pro and ITSM Pro Plus bundle, including ServiceNow Now Assist, are available at discounts of up to 70 percent until September 2028, or a standalone ITSM Pro upgrade at 40 percent off the listed price.

Remarks From Government Officials, ServiceNow CEO

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, recipient of the 2025 Wash100 Award, stated, “This agreement is a logical next step in the AI transformation of government and positions us to deliver on the administration’s goals for efficiency, productivity and the priorities outlined in President Trump’s AI Action plan.”

“This partnership with ServiceNow will be instrumental in streamlining government technology, driving efficiency and unlocking significant taxpayer savings,” said GSA Acting Administrator Michael Rigas.

“Our AI platform and solutions will help every federal agency consolidate the past, strengthen security and deliver better outcomes for the American people,” remarked Bill McDermott, chairman and CEO of ServiceNow.

/
GAO Report Finds DOD Lacks Data to Assess Effectiveness of Other Transaction Agreements
Published on
Government Accountability Office logo. GAO reviewed other transaction agreement data and ongoing weapon programs at the DOD

The Department of Defense does not have the data that would enable decision-makers to determine if other transaction agreements, or OTAs, are working as intended, the Government Accountability Office revealed in a new report published Wednesday.

According to the congressional watchdog, while DOD tracks when a prototype OTA moves to production OTA, there is no process in place to monitor when the program switches to a standard contract.

Evaluating DOD’s Use of OTAs

OTA is a contracting mechanism that offers flexibility to support capability development. Officials use OTAs to customize the terms and conditions to protect the government’s interests. Non-traditional defense contractors that also do not typically do business with the government may choose to work with DOD under an OTA.

After the prototype phase, contractors may receive another OTA for large-scale production or a standard production contract subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Because OTAs come with risks, such as reduced oversight of contractor costs, defense officials may switch to standard contracts for capability production. In fact, of the 18 weapon system programs reviewed for the report, 10 are moving from prototype OTAs to standard contracts for production. Officials shared that standard contracts can mitigate overpayment.

The Pentagon systematically tracks prototype OTAs that turn into production OTAs. However, GAO discovered that the Defense Department does not track when prototype OTAs resulted in standard contracts for production.

GAO is recommending that DOD establish a systematic process for monitoring when prototype OTAs become standard contracts for production and report data fully and accurately. The Pentagon concurred.

//
Pentagon’s Top Cyber Officials Step Down From Their Roles
Published on
The Pentagon. Top DOD cyber officials Ashley Manning, Jonathan Owen and Gurpreet Bhatia have left their roles.

Ashley Manning, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, and Jonathan Owen, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense integration and defense support to civil authorities, have stepped down from their positions at the Department of Defense, The Hill reported Tuesday.

In a LinkedIn post, Gurpreet Bhatia announced his departure from his role as principal director for cybersecurity and deputy chief information security officer at DOD.

Ashley Manning 

Manning most recently was responsible for developing and managing the implementation of DOD’s cyberspace strategy and policy and ensuring that they are aligned with national security objectives.

She previously served as acting deputy assistant secretary of defense and principal director for the Middle East and for plans and posture within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

The George Washington University graduate was selected for the DOD legislative fellows program.

The former visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy held several positions with the U.S. Air Force with oversight of security cooperation programs with countries in South Asia and Northeast Asia.

Manning gave the closing keynote address at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit in May.

Jonathan Owen

Before taking on the role of acting deputy assistant secretary of defense, Owen served in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on extension from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. At CISA, he held roles in readiness, operational planning and continuity.

He held various roles during his time at the State Department, including diplomatic security service special agent and lead case agent for the Russia/Europe Counterintelligence Desk.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran served as a lead associate at Booz Allen Hamilton earlier in his career.

Gurpreet Bhatia

As DOD’s principal director for cybersecurity, Bhatia provided expert policy, program, technical and DOD-wide oversight support to the DOD chief information officer on all cybersecurity matters and works with industry to enhance cybersecurity and information sharing through the defense industrial base.

“It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to lead the Department’s cybersecurity mission—shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and advancing our collective defense posture across the globe,” Bhatia said in his post. “Over the last three years, I’ve worked alongside brilliant minds to drive investment priorities, guide strategic planning, and foster resilience.”

Before joining the Office of the DOD CIO, he was chief of partner engagements in foreign engagements at the National Security Agency.

The University of Alabama graduate holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Georgetown University.

//
DARPA, New Mexico to Work on Quantum Frontier Project
Published on
Quantum computing. DARPA and New Mexico to work on the Quantum Frontier Project as part of QBI.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the state of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department have signed an agreement to work on a project to advance quantum computing technology as part of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, or QBI.

DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

Launched in July 2024, QBI intends to determine the possibility of creating an industrially useful computer much faster than traditional predictions. The initiative seeks to verify and validate whether any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation by 2033.

“New Mexico is the latest state to enter into partnership on QBI, and we are eager to leverage new facilities and expertise as we test and evaluate claims from a number of quantum computing companies about their progress in building a useful quantum computer,” Joe Altepeter, QBI program manager at DARPA, said in a statement published Tuesday.

DARPA-New Mexico Quantum Frontier Project

Depending on the results achieved, DARPA and New Mexico have agreed to contribute up to $60 million each over four years to fund efforts that support the Quantum Frontier Project and QBI.

“World-class national laboratories in New Mexico, such as Sandia and Los Alamos, are already a part of QBI’s independent verification and validation team, and we look forward through the Quantum Frontier Project to tapping into more of the state’s quantum R&D and testing infrastructure to help us determine whether quantum computers will work or not,” added Altepeter.

DARPA signed similar QBI agreements with other states, including Maryland and Illinois.

“New Mexico, having once pioneered applied physics, is excited to partner with DARPA on the QBI program to stay at the forefront of frontier technology and bring our world-class research, development, and entrepreneurial ecosystem into the fold,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

/
Nicholas Andersen Named Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA
Published on
CISA EAD Nicholas Andersen. CISA has appointed Nicholas Andersen as executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed Nicholas Andersen, a former Department of Energy cybersecurity executive, as executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

Nicholas Andersen Named Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12 to gain insights on the latest U.S. homeland security initiatives and programs.

Andersen will spearhead the agency’s cybersecurity mission, focusing on mitigating cyberthreats and vulnerabilities while reinforcing critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA announced Tuesday.

Who Is Nicholas Andersen?

Andersen is an industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity, information security and network security. He most recently served as president and chief operating officer at Invictus International Consulting, where he was responsible for shaping the company’s strategic direction, driving operational execution and managing financial performance.

The national security and cybersecurity leader briefly worked as chief information security officer at Lumen Technologies after serving at the Energy Department for over a year. He was an assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response, and deputy assistant secretary for infrastructure security and energy restoration.

Andersen was the federal cybersecurity lead and senior cybersecurity adviser to the Executive Office of the President and a council member and cyber chair at the Department of Homeland Security. He also served as CISO for the state of Vermont.

The executive was the chief information officer of naval intelligence and CIO for the U.S. Coast Guard. Before that, he briefly worked at MANTECH as an information security engineer. Andersen spent over six years as a Marine Corps Intelligence Activity systems engineer.

1 … 11 12 13 14 15 … 2,618