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NSF Expands National AI Infrastructure With New Data Systems, Research Datasets
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National Science Foundation logo. NSF launched Integrated Data Systems and Services and added 10 datasets to the NAIRR Pilot.

The National Science Foundation announced two initiatives to expand national AI research infrastructure: the Integrated Data Systems and Services program to build and operate national-scale data systems, and the selection of 10 datasets for integration into the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot. NSF said Thursday that the actions align with priorities in the White House AI Action Plan, focused on research infrastructure and high-value datasets.

Strengthening AI Research Infrastructure

NSF said IDSS fills a gap in agency programs by funding the development of national-scale data systems that interoperate with broader federal science and data efforts and allow researchers in the United States to access, use and share scientific data. The initiative is intended to connect data with computing, instruments and software to make AI development and scientific discovery faster, more reliable and more reproducible. It will also support the NAIRR Pilot and other NSF-managed programs.

IDSS Program Scope 

IDSS will fund three types of projects:

  • New integrative data systems designed to meet national-scale research and education needs.
  • Support to scale up existing successful prototypes and regional systems to a national-level impact and performance.
  • Planning grants to develop concepts for future IDSS systems and services projects.

IDSS will also fund workforce development to manage and operate the systems as part of strengthening U.S. cyberinfrastructure for AI and scientific progress.

NAIRR Pilot: Datasets to Support Education and Innovation

Alongside IDSS, NSF announced 10 datasets selected through an interagency competition to enhance the NAIRR Pilot. The datasets, which span domains such as terrain mapping, microbiome research and software supply chain security, include AI4Shipwrecks developed by the University of Michigan, Cell Painting Gallery from Broad Institute, FathomNet from MBARI and OpenTopography developed by UC San Diego, Arizona State University and the Earthscope Consortium.

NSF said the datasets will support AI skill development across education and research environments, helping grow an AI-literate workforce while expanding access to high-quality resources.

Integration Across Federal Cyberinfrastructure

The agency noted that systems and services awarded through IDSS will be integrated into the NAIRR Pilot and other NSF programs, such as the Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem: Services and Support, to be discoverable and accessible to the research and education community nationwide.

“Data infrastructure and access to high-quality datasets are critical components of a thriving AI innovation ecosystem,” said Katie Antypas, director of NSF’s Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure, adding that the efforts aim to sharpen U.S. competitiveness and lay a foundation for future leadership in science and innovation.

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NIST Issues Updated Security & Privacy Control Catalog
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Software development. NIST issued its revised security and privacy control catalog.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has finalized changes to its catalog of security and privacy controls to help improve the security of software updates and patches.

NIST said Wednesday the revised Special Publication 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations, was issued in response to an executive order aimed at strengthening U.S. cybersecurity.

“The changes are intended to emphasize secure software development practices, and to help organizations understand their role in ensuring the security of the software on their systems,” said Victoria Pillitteri, a computer scientist at NIST who led the project. “Ultimately, we want to help them achieve their goals while minimizing the risk of a patch creating unintended consequences.”

NIST’s Revised Security & Privacy Control Catalog

The modifications to NIST’s SP 800-53 address developer testing; software and system resiliency by design; software integrity and validation; and deployment and management of updates.

The updated version of NIST’s catalog of security and privacy safeguards, SP 800-53 Rev. 5.2.0, features three new controls: logging syntax, root cause analysis and design for cyber resiliency.

The catalog’s Logging Syntax (SA-15), for instance, defines an electronic format for recording security-related events to improve incident response.

“The updated controls emphasize the importance of monitoring the particular component being updated as well as the component’s relationship to the overall system,” Pillitteri said.

NIST has implemented a new public engagement process and started offering updates to the control catalog through the Cybersecurity and Privacy Reference Tool.

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Air Force Announces Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Milestone
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YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft during its test flight. USAF reached a development milestone in the CCA program.

One of the Department of the Air Force’s prototype platforms for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCA, program performed its inaugural flight at a test location in California as it transitions to the flight testing phase.

The Air Force said Wednesday it developed the CCA platform, YFQ-42A, with General Atomics.

Achieving Development Milestone in Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

“This milestone showcases what’s possible when innovative acquisition meets motivated industry,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “In record time, CCA went from concept to flight — proving we can deliver combat capability at speed when we clear barriers and align around the warfighter.”

The YFQ-42A test flight generated data to support continued assessments of the platform’s flight autonomy, mission system integration and airworthiness.

“This is More Air Force in action,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “We’re not just moving fast — we’re learning fast. CCA will help us rethink the battlespace, extend reach, flexibility and lethality in combat operations, and optimize warfighter performance through human-machine teaming.”

What Is the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program?

CCA is a component of the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems and seeks to integrate open-systems architectures to facilitate the continuous iteration of autonomy and mission systems capabilities.

The program implements a multifaceted learning campaign that includes vendor-led developmental testing, independent assessments at Edwards Air Force Base in California and operational evaluation by the Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis AFB in Nevada.

In April 2024, the Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril to build production-representative prototypes under the CCA program. The service expects to make an Increment 1 production decision in fiscal year 2026.

General Atomics-Built YFQ-42A CCA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. designed and developed YFQ-42A, an uncrewed jet for air-to-air semi-autonomous operation. Ground testing kicked off in May.

The company used model-based digital engineering to speed up the development of the CCA platform and trained YFQ-42’s autonomy core using its jet-powered MQ-20 Avenger aircraft.

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DCSA to Begin DISS Cloud Migration Under IT Modernization Strategy
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Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency logo. DSCA is migrating the DISS to the cloud.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is preparing to migrate the Defense Information System for Security to the cloud this weekend, a move that marks a significant milestone in its broader 2025–2030 Information Technology Strategic Plan.

The transition is part of the “Cloud Smart” strategy under the National Background Investigation Services program and aligns with the Department of Defense’s emphasis on leveraging cloud computing to strengthen mission capabilities, streamline operations and enhance customer experience, DCSA said Wednesday.

“These migrations and modernization efforts will offer improved access for federal agencies, enhanced security features and streamlined clearance verification processes,” said Lindley Earl, deputy program manager for NBIS, adding that the initiatives will position DCSA and its customers for the future by reducing costs, improving performance and incorporating the correct data architecture for scalability.

The migration was delayed earlier this month after customer feedback in the testing phase revealed issues requiring resolution. “We took the extra time to address those concerns,” said Mike Faller, NBIS program management specialist. “The final result is a migration effort coming up with very limited impact to our customers.”

DISS users will experience a temporary outage during the transition. They will continue to access the system the same way once migration is complete.

Strategic Technology Vision

The migration supports the objectives laid out in DCSA’s first IT Strategic Plan, which was released in July to guide delivery of innovative, secure solutions and ensure the trustworthiness of the federal workforce and cleared industry. The plan was developed through collaboration across DCSA leadership, directorates and field offices, and serves as a blueprint for leveraging IT to fulfill mission requirements.

“As the federal government’s largest provider of integrated security services, DCSA is continuously modernizing its digital ecosystem to protect the nation’s most critical assets,” said Director David Cattler. “This strategic plan provides a blueprint for how DCSA leverages IT to fulfill mission requirements.”

Goals for Digital Transformation

The plan sets out six priorities for the agency’s IT modernization: advancing a secure and scalable IT environment; driving innovation and modernizing technology; empowering and growing a skilled digital workforce; forging partnerships and strengthening governance; optimizing secure and scalable cloud capabilities; and enhancing data management to enable data-driven decision-making.

DCSA aims to build secure and high-quality data pipelines, modernize legacy datasets and integrate real-time visualization tools within a unified data architecture.

“To achieve its mission, DCSA must invest in and embrace a data-driven future,” said DCSA Chief Information Officer Jeanette Duncan, Program Executive Officer Edward Lane and Chief Data and AI Officer Wally Coggins in the plan’s executive summary. “By prioritizing scalability, security, and agility in IT solutions, this plan supports our mission to leverage advanced analytics and AI capabilities for measurable business impact.”

The cloud migration of DISS — supported by the Defense Department’s cybersecurity infrastructure and Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability — represents an early step in the strategic plan’s execution. DCSA expects the modernization initiatives to improve operational efficiencies, strengthen security and accelerate the retirement of legacy systems, positioning the agency for future mission demands.

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NSA, Other Agencies Release Advisory Against China-Sponsored Cyberthreats
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NSA logo. The NSA and other agencies released an advisory against China-sponsored cyberthreats.

The National Security Agency and other U.S. and international agencies have issued a joint cybersecurity advisory to address evolving threats from the Chinese government.

NSA, Other Agencies Release Advisory Against China-Sponsored Cyberthreats

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The advisory, titled “Countering Chinese State-Sponsored Actors Compromise of Networks Worldwide to Feed Global Espionage System,” aims to expose China-sponsored advanced persistent threat, or APT, actors that target telecommunications, government, transportation, lodging and military infrastructure networks worldwide,  NSA said Wednesday. 

Report Reveals Potential Cyberthreats

According to the CSA, Chinese-based companies such as Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology and Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie Network Technology have been linked to malicious activities. The report mentions the particular tactics, techniques and procedures, or TTPs, that these actors use to access and gather data. It also details the indicators of compromise and common vulnerabilities and exposures the APT actors utilize. The advisory also provides detailed recommendations on how to hunt and mitigate these potential threats effectively.

The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center are among the other agencies involved in releasing the CSA. Agencies from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Spain are also involved.

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CISA Launches Free Web Tool to Enhance Software Procurement Security
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CISA seal. CISA launched a free web tool aimed at enhancing software procurement security.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has introduced the Software Acquisition Guide: Supplier Response Web Tool, an interactive web tool aimed at enhancing secure software supply chain procurement.

CISA Launches Free Web Tool to Enhance Software Procurement Security

CISA is a DHS agency. Register for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit to learn about various programs, initiatives, and other key developments meant to bolster homeland security against emerging threats.

Strengthening Cybersecurity in Software Acquisition

CISA said Tuesday the new tool is intended to enable IT leaders, procurement experts and software suppliers to reinforce the cybersecurity protocols utilized during end-to-end software acquisition. The tool aims to provide a user-friendly digital platform that optimizes software assurance and supplier risk assessments. It expands on the “Software Acquisition Guide for Government Enterprise Consumers: Software Assurance in the Cyber-Supply Chain Risk Management Lifecycle.”

The web tool advances secure-by-design and secure-by-default principles by reformatting the Software Acquisition Guide into adaptive sections that assist users based on their needs and enable them to focus on relevant questions for their specific procurement. It also provides shareable summaries for CISOs, CIOs and other key executives while enhancing due diligence for more secure acquisitions.

Remarks From CISA Executive

“This tool demonstrates CISA’s commitment to offering practical, free solutions for smarter, more secure software procurement. Transforming the Software Acquisition Guide into an interactive format simplifies integrating cybersecurity into every step of procurement,” said CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy.

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DARPA Launches RoQS Program Phase 1 to Develop Quantum Sensing Tech for Defense Use
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Quantum technology. DARPA new program aims to accelerate the use of quantum sensing in defense

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has commenced phase one of the Robust Quantum Sensors, or RoQS, program to advance the development of quantum sensing technologies for defense applications.

The agency said Wednesday that the program has two technical areas running simultaneously.

The first technical area involves building and testing compact walk-on/walk-off quantum sensors for government-provided helicopters. DARPA explained that helicopters are associated with strong electromagnetic fields, vibrations and gradients, which are elements that could affect the performance of quantum sensors.

For the second technical area, participants are tasked to collaborate with the defense industrial base to determine where quantum sensors could generate value. The effort would guide the development of integration and technical requirements for the next phase of the RoQS program.

DARPA’s Quantum Sensing Challenge

DARPA launched the RoQS program in February to accelerate the transition of robust quantum sensors from laboratory to mission, allowing warfighters across all domains to benefit from precise detection of acceleration, rotation, gravity, and magnetic and electric fields.

Although quantum sensors offer unmatched precision, their sensitivity creates a challenge in real-world environments. DARPA said even minor electromagnetic interference can affect performance, limiting the use of the technology in the lab setting.

Instead of applying temporary fixes to address the issue, the agency wants to completely rethink quantum sensors.

DARPA is also aiming to unlock new capabilities in navigation, threat detection and situational awareness and support Department of Defense missions on the ground, at sea, in the air and in space.

“We’re looking beyond helicopters,” commented Jonathan Hoffman, RoQS program manager at DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office. “The sensor technologies we’re developing should be applicable to a broad range of DOD platforms – no matter the domain.”

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Army Selects 3 Firms to Develop Infantry Support Vehicles Under OTA Contracts
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U.S. Army logo. Three companies landed OTA contracts from the Army to convert ISVs into autonomous vehicles.

Three companies—Forterra, Overland AI and Scout AI—have secured other transaction authority agreements worth $15 million from the U.S. Army to test the conversion of infantry support vehicles, or ISVs, into autonomous vehicles. 

Army Unmanned System Autonomy Contract Details

Under the Unmanned Systems Autonomy, or UxS, contracts, the companies will integrate commercial autonomous mobility technology into Army formations, the service branch announced on Wednesday. Each of the firms will install autonomous solutions on ISVs and provide prototypes for soldier demonstrations and evaluations in May 2026. The Army will use the demonstrations and evaluations to decide how to use and potentially expand the technology to other ground vehicles. 

Overland AI Co-founder and President Stephanie Bonk told Breaking Defense that the company will install its autonomy software, Overdrive, and its hardware system, Spark, on the ISVs. After that, the upgraded ISVs will be sent to soldiers in the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk for six months of testing, which will include a Combat Training Center rotation.

Army’s Ken Berrier, Overland AI’s Stephanie Bonk, Scout AI’s Colin Otis and Forterra’s Pat Acox Share Thoughts

Commenting on the award, Col. Ken Bernier, the project manager for Future Battle Platforms, said, “We are looking forward to seeing how our industry partner’s autonomy solutions perform on vehicles while performing relevant military missions.”

“This effort will serve as an opportunity for the Army to assess the reliability of commercial autonomy and their ability to deliver real operational value to Soldiers in the field,” he added.

Bonk said the initiative will serve as the Army’s  “springboard for ground autonomy.”

“This is going to really define where the Army is going in the future, whether it continues to be ISVs or some other vehicle,” she added.

Collin Otis, Scout AI’s co-founder and chief technology officer, said the effort was a “super positive” step for the Army in its pursuit of next-generation AI systems.

“For us, it’s been super positive to see them rapidly onboarding that technology. It’s obviously a lot lower cost, it’s a lot higher capability and it is already at rate in terms of production and manufacturing,” Otis remarked.

Forterra Vice President for Defense Business Development Pat Acox said, “Our job is straightforward: build systems that work in the field and make the soldier’s mission easier, not harder.”

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Emil Michael Named Acting DIU Director
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Emil Michael. The DOD chief technology officer has been named DIU’s acting director.

Emil Michael, the Department of Defense’s under secretary of defense for research and engineering—its unofficial chief technology officer—has taken on the role of acting director of the Defense Innovation Unit, Defense News reported Tuesday.

Michael’s appointment follows Doug Beck’s resignation as head of DIU.

As the Pentagon’s CTO, Michael is responsible for DOD’s research, development and prototyping enterprise with oversight of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.

In May, he was confirmed by the Senate for the under secretary for research and engineering position.

Who Is Emil Michael?

Michael’s industry career included time as Uber’s chief business officer and chief operating officer of social media analytics company Klout.

The former White House Fellow served as a special assistant to the secretary of defense and led projects in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan while at the Pentagon.

He began his career as an associate within the investment banking division at Goldman Sachs.

The Harvard University graduate holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford Law School.

Michael Dodd’s Appointment as Acting DIU Deputy Director

Defense News also reported the appointment of Michael Dodd, the incoming assistant secretary of defense for critical technologies, as DIU’s acting deputy director.

According to the report, Dodd oversees energy programs within the National Security Innovation Capital office, a DIU component.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran would help advance hypersonics, 5G, microelectronics, autonomy and other critical defense and dual-use technologies if confirmed for the assistant secretary position.

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CISA Acting Director Swears In Brian Bonacci as Chief of Staff
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Brian Bonacci. CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala swore in Brian Bonacci as the new chief of staff.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has formally appointed Brian Bonacci as its new chief of staff. CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala swore Bonacci in during a ceremony attended by Bonacci’s family.

CISA Acting Director Swears In Brian Bonacci as Chief of Staff

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Who Is Brian Bonacci?

The new chief of staff brings more than three decades of federal information technology leadership to the agency. He began his career as a computer scientist at the General Accounting Office and later worked at the Internal Revenue Service, where he contributed to strategies for the Tax Systems Modernization Program.

He went on to hold senior leadership roles in the private sector, including assistant vice president at SAIC and senior vice president for growth and strategy at RIVA Solutions. He also served in leadership positions with Equinix, ScienceLogic, Infinera, Level 3 and Qwest. Most recently, he was founder and president of gScale Consulting, advising federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security on strategy, planning and transformation initiatives.

At CISA, Bonacci will oversee strategy, planning and resource allocation to support the agency’s mission, with a focus on aligning operations and driving effectiveness. 

Bonacci holds a master’s degree in information technology management from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from West Virginia University.

He has been active in professional associations, including the Government Business Executive Forum, the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center and the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association.

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