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PNNL Deploys AI-Based MERU Cyber Defense Technology
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PNNL logo. PNNL has deployed the AI-based Multimodal Entity Relationship Unification cybersecurity defense technology.

The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has transitioned an artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity research effort into operational use to strengthen cyber defense.

PNNL Deploys AI-Based MERU Cyber Defense Technology

Register today for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21 to join top government and industry leaders addressing escalating cyber threats, zero trust progress ahead of the 2027 deadline and the future of cybersecurity.

How Does the MERU Technology Work?

PNNL said Thursday the new technology, dubbed Multimodal Entity Relationship Unification, or MERU, uses AI and graph theory to connect databases and train the system to extract key information while adapting to new data and environments. Developed by a team of PNNL researchers led by Chief Computer Scientist Mahantesh Halappanavar, MERU creates a “free-flowing stream of data” that connects global threat intelligence with a company’s specific computing setup.

It integrates up-to-date news about cyber attacks with databases such as the National Vulnerability Database, Common Weakness Enumeration, Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification, and MITRE ATT&CK to provide a unified view of risks. This enables security teams to understand how attacks happen and help them identify and stop threats before they cause serious damage.

What Impact Has MERU Shown?

Early implementation by PNNL’s IT operations team has enabled rapid identification of high-priority threats and the creation of roadmaps to halt likely attacks. Joseph Aguayo, PNNL deputy chief information security officer, stated that the program breaks down massive amounts of threat intelligence into actionable insights. The capability is particularly vital for defending against zero-day attacks, where security teams must adapt defenses in real-time before official software patches become available.

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Keith Hardiman Named Air Force Deputy CIO
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Keith Hardiman. The Department of the Air Force acting deputy CIO has been named to the role on a permanent basis.

Keith Hardiman, who has served as acting deputy chief information officer at the Department of the Air Force, has been appointed to the role on a permanent basis within the DAF’s Office of the CIO.

Keith Hardiman Named Air Force Deputy CIO

Sign up now for the 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 to learn how emerging technologies are helping the military sustain its advantage across air and space domains, and the strategies leaders are developing to address emerging challenges.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the appointment, the DAF Office of the CIO said Hardiman assumed the role of acting deputy CIO in July 2025.

What Are Hardiman’s Accomplishments as Acting Deputy CIO?

According to the post, Hardiman led the CIO team through complex challenges while advancing innovation and strengthening collaboration across the organization.

He has been credited with addressing challenges and contributing to organizational performance standards.

Who Is Keith Hardiman?

Hardiman previously served as acting director of enterprise IT within the DAF’s Office of the CIO. In this capacity, he led planning, management and governance for the department’s nearly $7 billion information and cybersecurity enterprise.

He has held other leadership roles, including director of information management within the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force; technical director and chief data officer for the Logistics CIO Support Division; and director of the 72nd ABW Communications Directorate.

The Langston University graduate holds a doctorate in applied aviation and aerospace from Oklahoma State University.

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Charles Nakhleh to Lead as Deputy Laboratory Director for Weapons at LANL
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Charles Nakhleh, incoming deputy director for weapons at LANL. Nakhleh will oversee work tied to NNSA weapons programs

Los Alamos National Laboratory has named Charles Nakhleh as deputy laboratory director for weapons, effective April 1. LANL said Thursday that Nakhleh will lead all laboratory programs and organizations associated with the National Nuclear Security Administration’s weapons programs, including four directorates: weapons physics, engineering, production and plutonium infrastructure.

He succeeds Robert Webster, who is retiring after more than four decades of service.

Who Is Charles Nakhleh?

Nakhleh currently serves as associate laboratory director for LANL’s weapons physics directorate, where he oversees weapons physics and design, dynamic experimentation and multiphysics computational simulations.

Since joining the laboratory in 1996, he has held multiple roles of increasing scope and responsibility, including head of the X Theoretical Design division and executive officer for weapons programs. He also spent time at Sandia National Laboratories, where he oversaw target design and analysis for inertial confinement fusion and high-energy-density physics experiments.

In addition to his leadership roles, Nakhleh served in advisory roles across the nuclear security enterprise, including as a founding member of the NNSA’s Predictive Science Panel and as an adviser to the under secretary of energy for science on the Department of Energy’s National Ignition Campaign.

“Throughout his career, Charlie has exemplified the integrity, rigor and sense of purpose that define Los Alamos, and the Lab’s leadership team and I firmly believe he is the right person for the job,” LANL Director Thom Mason.

Nakhleh holds a doctorate in physics from Cornell University.

How Do National Laboratories Support US Weapons Programs?

National laboratories such as Los Alamos support weapons programs through research, testing, manufacturing and modernization efforts.

LANL designed five of the seven current weapons systems in the U.S. stockpile. The lab is also responsible for the maintenance and modernization of the B61 family of gravity bombs and the W76, W78, and W88 warheads.

Meanwhile, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are testing whether U.S. nuclear warheads can infiltrate enemy missile defense systems using the National Ignition Facility, which simulates the extreme conditions weapons may encounter as they enter enemy territory.

LLNL is also supporting the development of the W87-1 warhead to replace the aging W78. W87-1 will be deployed on the Air Force’s Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system.

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Executive Order Addresses DEI Practices in Federal Contracting
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White House. President Trump signed an executive order eliminating DEI practices by federal contractors and subcontractors.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to refrain from engaging in certain diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, practices described in the order as racially discriminatory.

What Are the Key Provisions of the Executive Order?

In a fact sheet published Thursday, the White House said the EO mandates the inclusion of a clause in federal contracts prohibiting such DEI activities and establishes enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

The order directs the Office of Management and Budget to release guidance to contracting agencies to ensure compliance and identify sectors at higher risk of engaging in prohibited DEI activities.

It authorizes contracting agencies to cancel, suspend, or terminate contracts and to suspend or debar contractors that fail to adhere to the requirements.

The directive also instructs the attorney general to prioritize potential claims under the False Claims Act involving contractors or subcontractors that violate the contractual provisions and to ensure prompt review of related civil actions.

In addition, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council will amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to incorporate the required contract clause and remove provisions that conflict with the new policy.

How Does the EO Align With Previous Presidential Actions on DEI?

The White House said the order builds on prior actions taken by the administration to address DEI policies across the federal government.

In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order prohibiting race- or sex-based preferences within the armed forces, the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security.

The administration also issued a series of actions, including a memorandum removing DEI-related policies from the Foreign Service; executive orders addressing disparate-impact liability and school discipline policies; and an order requiring federal agencies to procure artificial intelligence models that prioritize truthfulness and ideological neutrality.

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Air Force, Northrop Grumman Begin Construction on Sentinel Missile Silo
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Department of War's Dale White. The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman started building the Sentinel launch silo prototype.

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have begun construction of a full-scale launch silo prototype for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, underscoring an important advancement in modernizing the land-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad.

Air Force, Northrop Grumman Begin Construction on Sentinel Missile Silo

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What Is the Purpose of the Silo Prototype?

The prototype, located in Promontory, Utah, is intended to validate a modular construction approach designed for faster, more repeatable deployment, the Air Force said Friday. It is designed to support future production while allowing the program to assess performance before full-rate manufacturing begins. Additionally, the effort shifts away from refurbishing legacy Minuteman III silos, enabling the development of a new architecture while maintaining continuous alert coverage.

How Is the Sentinel Program Progressing?

Despite the potential risks identified by the Government Accountability Office in 2025, the transition from Minuteman III to Sentinel ICBM is progressing. The silo effort builds on recent program demonstrations, including successful test firings of all three missile stages and a hot fire test of the post-boost propulsion system. Construction is also underway on a Wing Command Center at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. These steps reduce technical risk as the program moves toward a planned 2027 flight test.

“The new silo design delivers operationally relevant capability on a predictable cost and schedule,” said Gen. Dale White, director of critical major weapon systems for the Department of War. “We are accelerating delivery while ensuring the system is sustainable and ready for Airmen to operate for decades.”

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NIST’s CAISI Collaborates With OpenMined to Develop Privacy-Preserving Methods for AI Evaluations
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AI system. NIST and OpenMined are developing methods for evaluating AI systems

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation is teaming up with the nonprofit OpenMined to develop methods for evaluating artificial intelligence systems while preserving data confidentiality.

The organizations signed a collaborative research and development agreement to utilize OpenMined’s software infrastructure, including PySyft, to enable AI evaluations that adhere to security requirements and maintain scientific rigor, NIST said Friday.

PySyft enables researchers to perform data science and analysis using non-public information without seeing or obtaining a copy of sensitive datasets.

NIST’s CAISI Collaborates With OpenMined to Develop Privacy-Preserving Methods for AI Evaluations

Balancing innovation and modernization with security as agencies increase adoption of AI will be a key topic at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit, happening on April 22. The event will bring together government and industry leaders to explore how agencies are integrating AI into high-security federal environments to support various missions. Sign up today to gain insights from the figures shaping federal digital transformation.

How Is the CAISI-OpenMined Partnership Intended to Improve AI Evaluations?

By developing privacy-preserving evaluation methods, stakeholders can conduct rigorous AI evaluations to measure system performance even when underlying data, models or benchmarks cannot be shared due to intellectual property, data protection or national security constraints.

According to NIST, insights from the effort will inform the agency’s development of voluntary standards, best practices and recommendations for AI evaluation.

The partnership builds on CAISI’s prior work with the General Services Administration to provide evaluation frameworks, testing methodologies, and performance measurement tools for agencies before and after deployment in support of USAi, a governmentwide platform that accelerates agency adoption of generative AI.

What Is CAISI?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation, or CAISI, serves as the U.S. government’s primary interface with industry for testing and collaborative research on commercial AI systems.

The organization works with federal partners to develop guidelines to improve AI security. It also evaluates AI capabilities that may pose risks to national security.

The center recently launched the AI Agent Standards Initiative to promote secure, interoperable and trustworthy autonomous AI systems. Under the initiative, CAISI aims to develop industry-led AI agent standards, support community-driven open-source protocols, address security risks associated with agentic AI, and reinforce U.S. leadership in international AI governance.

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DNI Tulsi Gabbard Details IC Cyber Modernization, Zero Trust Push
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Tulsi Gabbard. ODNI detailed progress on a major cyber and IT modernization push across the intelligence community.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has highlighted early progress in modernizing cybersecurity and IT infrastructure across the intelligence community, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of the administration’s broader push to harden federal networks. 

DNI Tulsi Gabbard Details IC Cyber Modernization, Zero Trust Push

Government and industry leaders will discuss cybersecurity modernization, zero trust adoption and evolving threats across federal systems at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit. Register now to join the conversation.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Thursday the first year of the effort focused on strengthening system resilience, accelerating threat detection and eliminating inefficiencies, supporting the third pillar of the administration’s cyber strategy.

“Protecting our nation’s most sensitive information … is essential to our national security,” said Gabbard, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient. “President Trump’s Intelligence Community is moving faster and more decisively on cybersecurity modernization and investments in IT than ever before, delivering stronger defenses, greater efficiency, and real cost savings for the American people.”

How Is ODNI Working to Reshape Cybersecurity Across the IC?

Rather than relying on agency-specific approaches, ODNI is moving to standardize cybersecurity practices across the intelligence community.

A key step is creating a centralized repository for cybersecurity authorizations, enabling agencies to reuse approvals rather than repeat time-consuming assessments. ODNI said the repository is designed to streamline operations across agencies.

It has also updated policy frameworks to improve interoperability with Department of War systems and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence for cybersecurity.

What Infrastructure and Threat Detection Changes Are Underway at ODNI?

The modernization effort includes upgrades to legacy networks and data centers, alongside expanded use of automated threat-hunting tools. By increasing automation, ODNI is seeking to improve the speed and accuracy of detecting and responding to cyber activity.

How Are Zero Trust and Cloud Driving the Strategy?

At the core of the overhaul is a transition to a zero trust architecture, which shifts security away from perimeter-based defenses toward continuous verification of users and data to secure information regardless of location.

ODNI also reportedly worked with DOW on the joint use of classified commercial cloud environments,  lowering infrastructure costs.

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GAO Urges Review of OPM Cyber Workforce Dashboard Amid Low Adoption
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO has urged OPM to evaluate the use of the Cyber Workforce Dashboard.

A Government Accountability Office review found that most federal agencies are not using the Office of Personnel Management’s Cyber Workforce Dashboard, raising questions about the tool’s effectiveness in addressing governmentwide cyber workforce challenges.

GAO Urges Review of OPM Cyber Workforce Dashboard Amid Low Adoption

Register today to join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21 and explore how emerging technologies are redefining cybersecurity strategies amid escalating global threats and to connect with industry leaders.

What Did GAO Find About Agency Use?

GAO reported that five of six agencies reviewed, along with OPM itself, were not using the dashboard designed to support workforce planning. The General Services Administration was the only agency using the tool, primarily to inform staffing decisions. However, all six agencies cited issues with the dashboard’s functionality, access and data usability, while also noting communication challenges with OPM regarding the platform.

Why Is the Cyber Workforce Dashboard Underperforming?

The dashboard, launched in 2023, was designed to provide a government-wide view of federal cybersecurity workforce data and enable agency benchmarking. However, agencies reported issues with functionality, access and data usability, along with communication gaps with OPM. Moreover, OPM has not assessed usage across roughly 20 additional agencies or collected formal feedback to guide improvements. GAO said these challenges have limited its effectiveness in addressing the shortage of skilled IT professionals.

What Actions Did GAO Recommend?

GAO recommended that OPM gather and analyze data on the dashboard’s use, as well as feedback from the agency on its limitations. It also advised OPM to evaluate the costs and make an evidence-based decision on whether to discontinue the dashboard or enhance it to address the identified issues. OPM partially concurred, stating it will work with the Office of the National Cyber Director and the Office of Management and Budget to determine next steps.

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Navy Launches MUSV Program, Seeks Industry Input on Unmanned Vessel Prototypes
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Navy seal. The U.S. Navy launched the MUSV program and issued a notice for unmanned vessel prototypes.

The U.S. Navy has announced the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, or MUSV, Family of Systems program and is seeking industry participation to support the design, development and demonstration of autonomous maritime capabilities.

Navy Launches MUSV Program, Seeks Industry Input on Unmanned Vessel Prototypes

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 examines how emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, are shaping the future of naval operations. Register today to gain insights and connect with top Navy and industry leaders.

What Is the MUSV Program?

According to the combined synopsis and solicitation notice published Thursday on SAM.gov, the MUSV effort, managed under the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems, focuses on developing a family of unmanned vessels built using modular design principles. The approach is intended to support adaptable platforms capable of addressing evolving maritime threats.

Additionally, the Navy is calling on companies with expertise in vessel construction, autonomy, perception technologies and maritime operations to contribute to the effort. The MUSV initiative follows the cancellation of the Modular Attack Surface Craft program launched in 2025.

How Will the Navy Acquire These Capabilities?

To accelerate the design and demonstration of these maritime capabilities, the Navy is utilizing the other transaction authority pathway. This solicitation intends the award of prototype projects that may incorporate commercially available technologies supported by strategic investment. These projects aim to incrementally enhance existing government-owned capabilities or introduce new concepts for defense applications. Proposals will be accepted until April 17.

What Is the Initial Focus of the Solicitation?

The first phase will center on vendors capable of conducting autonomy and vessel performance testing for the unmanned systems. The goal is to accelerate development and demonstrate operational capabilities through prototype projects. Through this approach, the service aims to evaluate technologies that could support future deployment of unmanned surface vessels.

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Senate Advances DHS Funding Measure
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Capitol Hill. The Senate has sent a bill to the House that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate advanced legislation early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, sending the measure to the House as lawmakers work to end a partial government shutdown, CNBC reported.

Senate Advances DHS Funding Measure

As Congress advances a bill to fund much of the DHS, attention remains focused on the agency’s operations and the broader mission it supports. Register now for the 2026 Homeland Security Summit to join government and industry leaders as they discuss policies, technologies and priorities shaping the agency’s direction.

In an interview Friday with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, said he expects the lower chamber to pass the DHS bill and noted that lawmakers may need to waive procedural rules to expedite consideration.

What Are the Provisions of the DHS Bill?

The bill would fund DHS operations broadly, but excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and portions of Customs and Border Protection. The House was expected to consider the measure as soon as Friday ahead of a scheduled two-week recess.

The measure does not include changes to ICE’s immigration enforcement practices that Democrats had sought during negotiations.

What Is the State of DHS Under the Partial Shutdown?

The shutdown began in February and has affected DHS operations, including the Transportation Security Administration. The lapse in funding resulted in missed paychecks for TSA agents and contributed to long lines at airports.

During the week, lawmakers worked to reach an agreement before the recess deadline. After talks broke down late Thursday, President Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order directing DHS to pay TSA agents. Republicans said they plan to pursue additional legislation through budget reconciliation to address ICE funding and other priorities.

Markwayne Mullin, previously a senator from Oklahoma, was sworn in Tuesday as the new DHS secretary during a ceremony at the White House. He was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote. 

Mullin succeeded Kristi Noem, a two-time Wash100 awardee who was named special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.

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