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Dean Ball Named Senior Policy Adviser at White House S&T Office
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Dean Ball Named Senior Policy Adviser at White House S&T Office

Dean Ball shared on LinkedIn Wednesday that he has been named senior policy adviser on artificial intelligence and emerging technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Dean Ball’s Career Highlights

Ball is currently serving as a member of the board of the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. He was previously a research fellow at the Mercatus Center within George Mason University and a senior program manager of state and local governance initiative at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he led a team of researchers responsible for fostering state and local government partnerships and developing policy initiatives and research designs.

Around the same time, Ball worked as a consultant for non-profit organizations, including Scala Foundation, Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and Atlas Network. Aside from providing consultancy services, he also served as secretary and treasurer of the Scala Foundation and executive director of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation.

Before that, Ball spent over six years at the Manhattan Institute. He was the director of the Adam Smith Society, deputy director for state and local policy and strategic manager.

The OSTP is currently led by its director Michael Kratsios. The two-time Wash100 Award winner also serves as the science adviser to the president.

“It is a thrill and honor to serve my country in this role and work alongside the tremendous team Michael Kratsios has built,” said Ball of his appointment to the OSTP.

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NRO & Space Force Partner Via Rocket Systems Program to Launch NROL-174
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NRO & Space Force Partner Via Rocket Systems Program to Launch NROL-174

The National Reconnaissance Office, in collaboration with the Small Launch and Targets Division of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, Space Launch Delta 30 and Northrop Grumman, has launched the NROL-174 mission aboard a Minotaur IV rocket from the Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base on April 16.

The agency said Wednesday the NROL-174 mission, facilitated through the Rocket Systems Launch Program, is intended to deploy multiple national security payloads into orbit.

Previous Minotaur Rocket Launches

The NROL-174 is the third NRO mission launched under the Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 contract. The launch builds on previous missions deployed aboard other Minotaur rockets, particularly the NROL-129 and NROL-111 missions in July 2020 and June 2021, respectively. Both missions were launched from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. NROL-174 is the first mission to utilize the Minotaur rocket from Vandenberg since 2011, the last one being NROL-66.

The NRO deployed over 150 satellites in the past two years, with plans to launch 12 more in 2025.

Laura Robinson, director of the NROL-174 mission, commented, “The NROL-174 Minotaur IV rocket was once a Peacekeeper ICBM that sat watch 24/7 in support of our nation’s nuclear deterrent. Now modified for space launch, it completed its final mission of placing a national security payload on orbit, a credit to the decades-long dedication of those who were part of the missile’s early development, maintenance and operations, and innovative conversion into the Minotaur IV rocket.”

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Bipartisan Senators Want to Extend 10-Year-Old Cyberthreat Sharing Regulation
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US legislation

Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D., have introduced a bill to extend a provision of a 2015 regulation that facilitates cyberthreat sharing between the federal government and the private sector. In a statement published Wednesday, Sen. Peters said the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 has been critical in addressing emerging cyber threats. 

“As cybersecurity threats grow increasingly sophisticated, information sharing is not just valuable—it remains essential for our national security,” explained the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

“For the past ten years, these critical protections have helped to address rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats, and this bipartisan bill will renew them so we can continue this collaborative partnership between the private sector and government to bolster our nation’s cybersecurity defenses against a wide range of adversaries,” Peters said.

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act seeks to extend the provisions of the 10-year-old regulation for another decade. 

The Importance of Sharing Cyber Intel

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 incentivizes companies that voluntarily disclose software vulnerabilities, malware and malicious IP addresses. In exchange for threat information, the government provides legal protections for companies that participate in the program.

Since the law was enacted, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 facilitated strong government-industry collaboration that led to the identification and mitigation of major cyberthreats. 

The law also enables state and local governments and critical infrastructure sectors to strengthen their cybersecurity and become informed of ongoing cybersecurity threats. 

“The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 has been instrumental in strengthening our nation’s cyber defenses by enabling critical information sharing between the private sector and government,” commented Sen. Rounds. “Allowing this legislation to lapse would significantly weaken our cybersecurity ecosystem, removing vital liability protections and hampering defensive operations across both the defense industrial base and critical infrastructure sectors.”

Learn more about threats federal agencies are facing in the cyber domain at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit on May 15. Register for the in-person event here.

Bipartisan Senators Want to Extend 10-Year-Old Cyberthreat Sharing Regulation
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Army Establishes Next Generation Command and Control Office
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Army Establishes Next Generation Command and Control Office

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Network has officially established the Next Generation Command and Control office, dubbed NGC2, during a ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

NGC2 will advance efforts to enhance the service’s command and control warfighting capabilities and enable commanders to make informed and faster decisions, the Army said Wednesday. Col. Chris Anderson will serve as the office’s first program manager.

Transforming the Army’s Acquisition Business

According to Mark Kitz, program executive officer of PEO C3N, the NGC2 operational objectives mirror an Army-wide vision. “It’s going to change the way we do acquisition. It’s going to change the way we deliver,” added Kitz, who will speak at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. He added that Anderson is a humble leader with “the right attitude,” who will listen and provide a path forward for NGC2.

After accepting the office’s charter, Anderson stressed that the Army is focused on transforming its acquisition business. He noted that the NGC2 mission requires contributions from everybody and partnerships with the industry. “All of these organizations working together on the same problem set will be really powerful,” Anderson said.

Delivering Scalable C2 Services

Under PEO C3N, Anderson will oversee an NGC2 team and collaborate with the Army Futures Command NGC2 product owner to execute continuous delivery of innovative capabilities. The office intends to align requirements and resources with modern commercial software and open systems design practices to accelerate the delivery of intuitive and scalable C2 services.

POC - 2025 Army Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18 to gain critical insights on consequential Army initiatives, programs and efforts. Reserve a spot now to attend the important event!

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Navy Chief Info Security Officer Tony Plater Retires
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Navy Chief Info Security Officer Tony Plater Retires

Alvin “Tony” Plater, the Department of the Navy’s chief information security officer, has retired from federal service after nearly a decade at DON.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his retirement, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities and challenges that have shaped his career and said that he was honored to receive the Meritorious Civilian Service award for outstanding service.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and support of the DON CIO Leadership team, my DON CISO team, service CISOs, colleagues, and mentors,” Plater added.

Plater also announced that he will be joining industry and will disclose details of his move soon.

Tony Plater’s Career Background

As CISO, Plater assessed the impacts, implications and sufficiency of proposed changes to cybersecurity strategies, guidance and standards. He also advised the DON chief information officer on enterprise-level IT security initiatives, cybersecurity innovation and commercial cloud security.

In November 2015, he joined DON as a senior adviser to the department’s CIO.

Before joining government service, the retired U.S. Army IT professional spent more than a decade at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he served as a senior lead technologist focused on providing cybersecurity policy and program support for senior leadership within the Navy and the Department of Defense.

His military career included leadership assignments with Joint Staff J4, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Central Command and the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade.

Plater also holds multiple industry certifications, including Program Management Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Information System Security and EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker.

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Executive Order Seeks to Streamline Federal Procurement Through FAR Reform
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Executive Order Seeks to Streamline Federal Procurement Through FAR Reform

President Donald Trump signed on Tuesday an executive order directing his administration to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR, as part of efforts to streamline the federal procurement process and remove barriers to doing business with the government.

Within 180 days, the EO directs the administrator of the Office of Federal Public Procurement Policy, or OFPP, to work with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, heads of agencies and procurement officials to amend FAR to ensure that the regulation contains only provisions required by statute or essential to sound procurement while protecting national security or economic interests.

OMB Guidance on Executive Order Implementation

The director of the Office of Management and Budget should release a memorandum within 20 days that provides guidance to agencies regarding the EO’s implementation and ensures consistency of policy objectives, the White House said.

The OMB memo should propose agency supplemental regulations and internal guidance that foster streamlined and accelerated acquisition processes.

Ensuring Agency Alignment With FAR Reform

Within 15 days, each agency with procurement authority should assign a senior acquisition official to work with the FAR Council and head of OFPP to ensure alignment with FAR reform. The designated procurement official should offer recommendations regarding any agency-specific supplemental regulations to FAR.

Under the new policy, a regulatory sunset provision will be considered that would result in non-statutory FAR provisions expiring after four years unless renewed by the FAR Council.

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DOE Kicks Off Jefferson Lab Management & Operating Contract Competition
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DOE Kicks Off Jefferson Lab Management & Operating Contract Competition

The Department of Energy has begun soliciting expressions of interest, or EOIs, from interested stakeholders as part of the competition for a follow-on contract to manage and operate the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or TJNAF.

DOE said Tuesday EOIs are due April 29.

The current management and operating, or M&O, contract for TJNAF, also known as Jefferson Lab, is set to expire on May 31. DOE is processing a one-year extension to ensure seamless continuation of lab operations and provide the department enough time to compete the follow-on contract.

The selected contractor is expected to assume responsibility for the facility’s operation on June 1, 2026.

Where to Get Updates on the TJNAF M&O Contract

The department also launched a public website designed to keep potential offerors and other interested parties informed about the competition process for the TJNAF M&O contract.

The online platform will serve as a repository for important announcements, relevant documents and other information about the competition.

What Does TJNAF Do?

TJNAF is a DOE national laboratory and a federally funded research and development center focused on delivering breakthrough science and technology in the area of nuclear physics.

In addition to conducting research in nuclear physics sciences, Jefferson Lab generates superconducting radio frequency accelerator modules and operates unique facilities and equipment. The national lab also serves as a resource for local and international researchers.

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NASA, Partners to Develop First Quantum Gravity Sensor
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NASA, Partners to Develop First Quantum Gravity Sensor

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has collaborated with private companies and academic institutions to develop and deploy the first space-based quantum sensor capable of measuring gravity.

Boosting Earth Observation With Quantum Sensors

The agency said Tuesday the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder, or QGGPf, project, supported by NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office, aims to revolutionize quantum sensing and conduct pioneering research related to the Earth’s gravitational field. This potentially includes planetary exploration and studies of natural resources such as freshwater sources, petroleum reserves, aquifers and mineral deposits. The QGGPf is also intended for navigation, resource management and national security.

How Will the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder Work?

Gravity gradiometers measure the difference in acceleration between two free-falling objects or test masses to determine gravitational strength. The quantum gravity gradiometer is designed to measure the difference in acceleration between the matter waves of two clouds of ultra-cold rubidium atoms. The result will be used for detecting gravitational anomalies.

Using these atoms as test masses enables the compact and efficient QGGPf to be deployed aboard a single spacecraft and measure gravity. The quantum gravity gradiometer’s quantum sensors are estimated to be ten times more sensitive than traditional sensors, enhancing the potential for more accurate gravity measurements.

The technology validation mission, planned for launch at the end of the decade, is meant to assess advanced technologies designed to manipulate atomic interactions of light and matter.

The JPL team of researchers partnered with AOSense and Infleqtion to develop the sensor head while NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center collaborated with Vector Atomic on the laser optical system.

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MITRE Issues Guidance for Adopting Open Architecture Defense Systems
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software development

MITRE is urging the Department of Defense to adopt new architectural principles that enable interoperability, adaptability and future-proofing in response to evolving battlefield needs. The not-for-profit organization on Tuesday published a strategy to guide the Pentagon’s approach to acquiring and implementing new capabilities.

Modern Capabilities Require Interoperability

MITRE, in the strategy, highlighted the modular open systems approach, or MOSA, as a way to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies. MOSA decomposes systems into their critical functions with standardized interfaces and are capable of working together. 

However, according to the organization, some challenges prevent the government from fully realizing the potential of MOSA. Restrictive enforcement of data standards, overly prescriptive definitions of system components and verifying interoperability across various systems can prevent the public sector from reaping the benefits of open systems. 

Shifting Away From a Traditional Mindset

To address challenges associated with adopting MOSA, MITRE recommends new architectural principles that include breaking data silos, establishing modular boundaries, setting measures of effectiveness, and balancing intellectual property rights and sourcing to gain the best capabilities.

The strategy also suggests that decision-makers also consider switching costs, which refers to the impact of moving from one solution to another, and opportunity costs that come from developing overly conservative architectures, in addition to traditional metrics of cost, single-pass schedule and performance.

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DISA Launches Endguard Cyber Defense Tool to Enhance Navy Readiness Reporting Enterprise
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DISA Launches Endguard Cyber Defense Tool to Enhance Navy Readiness Reporting Enterprise

The Defense Information Systems Agency announced on LinkedIn Tuesday that it has launched a new cyber defense tool in December 2024, aimed at significantly enhancing the U.S. Navy Readiness Reporting Enterprise, or NRRE, service provider.

What Is Endguard?

The agency’s Endguard cybersecurity platform, approved by the Strategic Resourcing and Requirements Council, utilizes Microsoft Defender to safeguard vulnerable endpoints like laptops and internet-enabled sensors through endpoint detection and response, along with managed threat hunting in a single platform.

The NRRE is the first major customer to onboard Endguard. It is a family of systems working together to provide the Navy with timely readiness posture assessment and reporting, as well as crucial commands backed up by fleet preparedness data to support decision-making at various levels.

DISA expects a total of 192 cybersecurity service providers to migrate to Endguard by 2027. The agency’s cybersecurity service provider teams are focusing on supporting the initial datacenter deployment. The DISA Cybersecurity Service Provider collects raw data through the Microsoft Defender for Servers, boosting its Microsoft Defender for Endpoint deployment for server workloads. The collected information is then utilized by analysts for expanded threat hunting, targeting sophisticated attacks like ‘Living Off the Land’ binaries.

Deric Bumbaugh, customer management team lead at DISA, stated, “The service delivery that DISA Cybersecurity Service Provider provides to customers ultimately secures the DOD data inside of the mission space. With Endguard, we have the ability to interact in real time, and the collaboration between us and the MP is essential to level-set expectations between the two parties.”

Potomac Officers Club is hosting the 2025 Cyber Summit on May 15. Register now and learn about emerging cyber threats, new cyber policies, initiatives and challenges from leading cyber experts, government decision-makers and industry executives.

DISA Launches Endguard Cyber Defense Tool to Enhance Navy Readiness Reporting Enterprise
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