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Danielle Rowell Appointed Acting CISO at OPM
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Danielle Rowell Appointed Acting CISO at OPM

The Office of Personnel Management has appointed Danielle Rowell as its acting chief information security officer, bringing over a decade of IT and cybersecurity experience to the post.

Announcing her new role in a Tuesday LinkedIn post, Rowell noted she is “honored to embark on this extraordinary journey.” Before the promotion, the new acting CISO has served as chief of cyber engineering at OPM since November 2022.

Rowell’s Professional and Academic Credentials

Per LinkedIn, Rowell is an International Coaching Federation-certified career and leadership coach, helping professionals unlock their capabilities and address challenges. She is a co-owner and director of life coaching at Mental Health CPR and worked with the Servant Coach for more than three years.

Earlier, the new appointee held several leadership roles in the federal government, such as IT portfolio manager and deputy chief information systems security manager. She was an information assurance engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, a risk analyst at Technical and Project Engineering and a project analyst at JPI.

Rowell earned a master’s in cybersecurity policy from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her bachelor’s degree in communications from Old Dominion University.

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Army Introduces Regulation on Small Business Programs
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Army Introduces Regulation on Small Business Programs

The Department of the Army has released a new regulation to implement regulatory and statutory requirements for the military branch’s small business programs, or SBPs.

The department said Tuesday the Army Small Business Programs policy will take effect on Feb. 14.

Responsibilities of Army Officials

The regulation directs the secretary of the Army to establish an Office of Small Business Programs within the department and ensure that the director of SBP has sufficient resources to oversee the Small Business Program.

The department’s principal officials should ensure that all requirements sent to contracting are free of restrictive requirements that hinder small vendors from performing as prime contractors. They should also solicit advice from small business professionals when conducting market research and identifying companies that can perform the work.

Under the new regulation, the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology should oversee the execution of the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, and Small Business Technology Transfer, or STTR, programs; coordinate with the SBP director regarding the two programs; and share information on procurement opportunities, prize competitions and industry engagements.

The director of SBP will serve as the principal adviser to the secretary of the Army and other senior leaders within the service branch on matters regarding SBPs; develop, execute and oversee programs and policies for small business functions throughout the Army; and provide reports and assessments required by statute and regulation.

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Frank Kendall on Nuclear Deterrents, Need for AI Capabilities
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Frank Kendall on Nuclear Deterrents, Need for AI Capabilities

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Air Force and a five-time Wash100 awardee, highlighted the importance of maintaining a nuclear deterrent and the need for the Department of the Air Force to expand the use of artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, Space Force reported Tuesday.

Kendall told the audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Monday that the effort includes the development of collaborative combat aircraft, a.k.a. CCAs.

What Are CCAs?

CCAs are unmanned combat systems that could be paired with the F-35 fighter jet and other crewed aircraft.

“We are committed to fielding these and at scale,” the secretary said of CCAs. “This is not an experiment or a prototype. We’re going to put these in our force structure. Let’s get going and that’s where we’re headed.”

More Capable Space Force

Kendall stressed the need to strengthen the U.S. Space Force to meet the security challenges in 2050.

“We’re going to need a much bigger, much more capable, much more powerful Space Force,” he noted. “… That’s a transformation that’s already started and we’ve made some pretty good progress. … We also need a lot of counter-space capabilities. … We’re going to have to do something to counter the militarization of space that China has embark upon largely to target our joint force and largely to deny us the capabilities to do the same things to Chinese forces.”

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EO to Direct Agencies to Lease Federal Sites for AI Data Centers
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EO to Direct Agencies to Lease Federal Sites for AI Data Centers

President Joe Biden has signed an executive order that directs agencies to make federal sites available for artificial intelligence data centers and clean power facilities as part of efforts to accelerate AI infrastructure development.

DOD, DOE to Select Sites for AI Data Centers

The White House said Tuesday that the EO directs the departments of Defense and Energy to select sites where industry can establish AI data centers and clean power facilities based on the sites’ accessibility to high-capacity transmission infrastructure and minimized adverse effects on the natural environment and communities.

By Feb. 28, the secretaries of DOD and DOE should each identify a minimum of three sites on federal lands that may be suitable for them to lease to nonfederal entities for the construction and operation of AI data centers and clean energy facilities by the end of 2027.

By the end of March, the DOD and DOE secretaries should coordinate to launch competitive solicitations for proposals to lease the identified sites for building, owning and operating large-scale AI infrastructure.

Interior Department to Identify Lands for Clean Energy Generation

By mid-March, the secretary of the Department of the Interior should identify lands it oversees that are suitable for clean energy generation and can support AI data centers on federal sites while improving permitting processes for geothermal projects.

Lease Obligations for AI Developers on Federal Sites

The EO outlines contractual obligations that the Pentagon and DOE will impose on AI developers on federal sites.

Such obligations include purchasing new clean energy generation resources that could support the data centers, assessing the national security implications of AI models developed on federal sites and procuring an appropriate share of domestically produced semiconductors.

Register now to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 20, to hear more about cutting-edge AI innovations from industry and government experts.

POC - 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit
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MDA Achieves Second Flight for Hypersonic Test Bed
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MDA Achieves Second Flight for Hypersonic Test Bed

The Missile Defense Agency has completed a flight test of its Hypersonic Test Bed. The agency said Tuesday that a sounding rocket was used to propel a glide vehicle into hypersonic flight during the test, designated as HTB-2. 

“HTB-2 demonstrates our ability to affordably replicate hypersonic capabilities to enable testing of future hypersonic defense capabilities,” commented Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of the MDA and a Wash100 awardee.

The test was conducted at Wallops Island in Virginia. 

HTB’s Second-Ever Flight Test

The HTB is a glide vehicle that will serve as a common platform for evaluating hypersonic technology and accelerate the development for military use.

The flight test on Tuesday is the second ever for the HTB. In June, MDA and mission partners conducted the initial flight of the test bed. Dubbed HTB-1, the test enabled the agency to gather data on the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor. 

Collins said data from HTB-2 will be used to guide the development of hypersonic technologies that can operate in dynamic flight environments and pave the way for hypersonic missile defense capabilities.

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OMB Issues RFI for Domestic Chip Manufacturing Supply Chain
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OMB Issues RFI for Domestic Chip Manufacturing Supply Chain

The Office of Management and Budget has issued a request for information for the advancement of the domestic manufacturing of semiconductors in commercial information technology.

Boosting Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Resilience

According to the notice posted on the Federal Registry Wednesday, the OMB is seeking industry feedback on methods of enhancing domestic semiconductor manufacturing resilience. It also involves maintaining the domestic supply chain through sustainable procurement of commercial IT end products, including U.S.-fabricated semiconductors. The RFI is also seeking input on possible procurement strategies that lessen supply chain disruptions and boost semiconductor production in the country.

The Made in America Office and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy of the OMB are also requesting information on possible strategies for how the federal acquisition system can utilize domestic sources for semiconductors. The OMB offices intend to determine a safe and secure supply chain for commercial IT products.

According to the RFI, the market segments of interest are telecommunication infrastructure and services, cloud and data center infrastructure and services, ICT devices like mobile phones and laptops and transportation or vehicles.

Interested contractors have until March 17 to submit their responses to the RFI.

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USPTO Unveils Strategy to Promote Responsible AI Innovation
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USPTO Unveils Strategy to Promote Responsible AI Innovation

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has unveiled a new strategy to guide the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities across agency operations.

The AI strategy will promote responsible AI innovation, prepare the technology for the agency mission and ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in AI tech development, USPTO said Tuesday. It will also help the agency address AI’s effect across intellectual property—or IP—policy and the innovation ecosystem.

Promoting AI Innovation

Acting USPTO Director Derrick Brent noted that the strategy is designed to leverage AI power and mitigate its associated risks. “We have a responsibility to promote, empower and protect innovation,” he added.

Strategy’s Focus Areas

Guided by the framework, USPTO will work to realize its AI vision and mission by developing IP policies that promote inclusive innovation and creativity. The agency will also invest in computational infrastructure and data resources to build top-notch AI capabilities.

In addition, the USPTO will encourage responsible AI deployment, develop AI expertise within its workforce and collaborate with other federal agencies, international organizations and the public on shared AI priorities.

USPTO announced the AI strategy as it continues coordinating with various Department of Commerce and U.S. Copyright Office components to provide guidance and recommendations in advancing AI innovation in the United States.

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Department of Commerce Awards $210M in Grants to 6 Tech Hubs
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Department of Commerce Awards $210M in Grants to 6 Tech Hubs

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has unveiled plans to award an estimated $210 million in implementation grants to six Tech Hub Designees.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday the additional funding was granted by Congress through the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

Selected Tech Hubs

The six Tech Hubs selected for this round of grants include:

  • American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub with $48 million
  • Birmingham Biotechnology Hub of the Southern Research Institute with $44 million
  • Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub of Oregon State University with $45 million
  • Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub of the University of Missouri System with $29 million
  • Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub of Maine Technology Institute with $22 million
  • Vermont Gallium Nitride Tech Hub of the University of Vermont with $23 million

These Hubs are included in the 31 Tech Hubs appointed in October 2023 to boost production of critical technologies, generate jobs in innovative industries, enhance the country’s economic and national security and drive the growth of next-generation industries.

The EDA will collaborate with the National Science Foundation to provide customized resources and dedicated support to the Tech Hubs.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, remarked, “The Tech Hubs Program and this latest allocation of funds are the result of bipartisan cooperation in Congress – I hope that good-faith work will endure so we can continue to invest in these centers of excellence across the nation, which in return, are providing good-paying jobs in industries of the future and helping to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.”

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CISA Guidebook Enables Cybersecurity Collaboration in AI Community
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CISA Guidebook Enables Cybersecurity Collaboration in AI Community

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released a new guidebook detailing how to facilitate voluntary information exchange about cyber threats and defenses within the artificial intelligence community. The playbook also lists possible agency actions on shared information, CISA said Tuesday.

To develop the guidance, the agency collaborated with the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, or JCDC, composed of federal, international and industry partners. The collaboration culminated in two tabletop exercises on responses to real-world AI cybersecurity breaches.

CISA encourages AI providers, developers and users to integrate the 33-page guidance, titled “JCDC AI Collaborative Playbook,” into their cyber incident response mechanisms. The agency also suggests that AI security specialists raise attention on technical exchange opportunities and priorities on emerging threats or vulnerabilities in the AI community.

Checklist for Information-sharing

The CISA guidebook provides a checklist to use when sharing actionable information. It covers the incident or vulnerability description, how it was detected and the affected AI systems and users. Voluntary information can be shared with JCDC through the email CISA.JCDC@cisa.dhs.gov.

CISA Director Jen Easterly, a Wash100 awardee, described the playbook as a “major milestone” in securing AI systems through the collaboration of about 150 AI specialists from government and industry.

“This playbook will be regularly updated to address the evolving challenges of an AI-driven future,” she added.

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DOD OIG Flags Deficiencies in C3PAO Authorization Process
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DOD OIG Flags Deficiencies in C3PAO Authorization Process

The Department of Defense has failed to effectively implement the process by which third-party organizations are authorized to carry out Level 2 assessments under Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0.

This is the conclusion that the DOD Office of Inspector General said it had reached on Tuesday, following an audit where it reviewed the application packages of 11 of the 48 CMMC third-party assessment organizations, or C3PAOs, authorized as of Sept. 21, 2023.

Lack of Signed Code of Professional Conduct

According to the audit report, the process implementation failure was demonstrated by three findings. First, of the 11 C3PAOs reviewed, two were given authorization even though they did not have a signed C3PAO Agreement and Code of Professional Conduct. This document details the terms, conditions and expectations of C3PAOs, including their adherence to the principles of professionalism, objectivity, confidentiality, proper use of methods and information integrity.

Professional Certification Not Verified

Second, authorizing officials did not verify whether the quality control leads, or QCLs, of four of the 11 C3PAOs possessed the requisite certification. An individual must undergo trainings and examinations to become a CMMC certified professional and then a CMMC certified assessor, or CCA, before the person can be designated as QCL. These trainings work to ensure that a QCL possesses the ability to perform a CMMC Level 2 assessment and evaluate the members of an assessment team.

Possible Lack of Quality Control Leads on Staff

Third, all 11 C3PAOs received authorization even if it was not adequately verified that they had CCAs and QCLs on staff or under contract.

Quality Assurance Process

DOD OIG attributed the issues to a lack of a quality assurance process that would verify C3PAO compliance with the requirements for authorization. The agency consequently offered 10 recommendations, including the development and implementation of a quality assurance process for C3PAO authorization.

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