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NSA Issues Primer, Discovery Phase Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines
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The National Security Agency logo. NSA has introduced the Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines series

The National Security Agency has issued two new Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines, or ZIGs, to provide organizations with steps and actionable recommendations for the adoption of the cybersecurity framework.

The documents, titled Primer and Discovery Phase, were issued Wednesday as part of a series of reports that the agency intends to release to support efforts to achieve target-level zero trust capabilities.

NSA Issues Primer, Discovery Phase Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines

As the Department of War’s 2027 deadline for compliance looms, find out where agencies are in their zero trust journeys at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. The event brings together leaders from across government and industry for insightful panel discussions and networking sessions. Sign up today to secure your spot. 

What Is NSA’s Zero Trust Implementation Guideline?

The ZIG series is an effort to organize the 152 activities in the Department of War’s Zero Trust Strategy. NSA, in partnership with the DOW’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, developed five phases for zero trust implementation, with Discovery and upcoming guidelines titled Phase One and Phase Two are designated as “target level.” Phase Three and Phase Four are “advanced levels.”

The Discovery Phase ZIG covers 14 zero trust activities, while Phase One and Phase Two include 36 and 41 activities, respectively.

According to NSA, the Primer and Discovery Phase documents will provide organizations with information to ensure that they are ready for future implementation guidelines.

Primer discusses how the ZIGs were developed and how it is intended to be used. The NSA said the guidelines are designed to be modular, which will enable organizations to select and implement recommendations based on where they are in their zero trust journeys.

Meanwhile, the Discovery Phase document is intended to enable organizations to establish foundational visibility across their environments and identify critical data, applications, assets and services for zero trust prioritization.

What Other Zero Trust Resources Has NSA Released?

In addition to the ZIG series, the NSA also released seven zero trust framework pillars. The last pillar, published in November 2024, offers guidance on applying automation and orchestration for repetitive, predictable tasks; enhancing critical functions; and coordinating security and incident response.

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Navy CNO Urges 4% GDP Defense Spending Rebaseline to Meet Readiness Demands
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Naval Operation Chief Adm. Daryl Caudle. Adm. Daryl Caudle urged a defense spending reset to 4% of gross domestic product.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, the U.S. Navy’s chief of naval operations, said defense spending should be reset to a minimum of 4 percent of gross domestic product to support readiness requirements and fleet growth needed to counter future threats, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

How Does the Current Budget Compare to GDP?

The defense budget currently stands at nearly $1 trillion, representing roughly 3.3 to 3.4 percent of the nation’s GDP. Caudle noted that potential increases discussed by President Donald Trump, including an additional $500 billion in fiscal 2027, could raise defense spending to about 5 percent of GDP. Despite current funding levels, the Navy has struggled to expand beyond roughly 300 ships, falling short of its goal of 355 ships.

What Is the Golden Fleet Initiative?

Caudle linked funding needs to the Navy’s Golden Fleet vision, announced in December, which includes new ship classes such as a next-generation battleship, redesigned frigates and expanded use of unmanned systems. He said the initiative is intended to complement, not replace, existing programs and will require a Navy budget aligned with its mission set.

How Could Shipbuilding Capacity Be Expanded?

To execute future shipbuilding plans, Caudle said the Navy and industry must adopt new approaches, including modular shipbuilding, supply chain improvements and workforce development. He added that expanding modular construction could allow more U.S. shipyards to participate and increase production speed. Caudle also said foreign shipbuilders could help add capacity, though such partnerships would require careful consideration of supply chain access and integration challenges.

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Cybersecurity Executive Sean Plankey Renominated as CISA Director
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Sean Plankey. The National Security Council’s former cyber policy director has been renominated to lead CISA.

President Donald Trump has renominated Sean Plankey, former director for cyber policy at the National Security Council, to serve as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Cybersecurity Executive Sean Plankey Renominated as CISA Director

With Plankey’s renomination to lead CISA, cybersecurity leadership and resilience are once again at the forefront of the national conversation. That momentum continues at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21, where government and industry leaders will explore what’s next for securing critical infrastructure. Sign up now to reserve your seat at this must-attend event.

Plankey was part of the list of nominations that the Trump administration had submitted to the Senate, according to a White House release published Tuesday.

He was first nominated for the CISA director position in March 2025.

NextGov/FCW reported that Plankey encountered several Senate holds on his nomination in 2025, with some driven by broader political disputes.

Table of Contents

Who Is Sean Plankey?

According to his LinkedIn profile, Plankey most recently served as general manager of Indigo Vault and global head of cybersecurity software at WTW.

During Trump’s first term, the former U.S. Coast Guard officer served as head of cyber policy at NSC.

His government career included time as principal deputy assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response at the Department of Energy and weapons and tactics branch chief within U.S. Cyber Command.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate previously served as public sector chief technology officer at DataRobot and chief architect for critical infrastructure at BedRock Systems.

Plankey also worked as a global cyber intelligence adviser at BP and as a strategic adviser at Option3 and CLASS zero3.

What Is CISA?

CISA is a component of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for protecting and defending critical infrastructure and federal networks against cyberthreats.

The agency provides training, resources, exercises and guidance for cybersecurity best practices.

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Army-Led Task Force Makes 1st Counter-Drone Tech Purchase Under Replicator 2
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Drone swarm. The Army-led JIATF 401 awarded a contract to buy two DroneHunter F700 counter-UAS systems under Replicator 2.

The Army-led Joint Interagency Task Force 401, or JIATF 401, has awarded a contract for two DroneHunter F700 counter-unmanned aerial systems, marking its first acquisition under the Replicator 2 initiative.

Army-Led Task Force Makes 1st Counter-Drone Tech Purchase Under Replicator 2

As the Army accelerates efforts like Replicator 2 to rapidly field counter-UAS capabilities and outpace emerging threats, the need for closer alignment between innovation, acquisition and operational leadership has never been clearer. That broader push toward speed and adaptability will frame discussions at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18, bringing senior Army leaders and industry partners together to discuss the future of the force. Reserve your seat now to be part of the conversation driving the Army’s next generation of capabilities.

The Department of War said Tuesday JIATF 401 expects the DroneHunter F700 systems to be delivered by April.

“We’re designed to move at the speed of relevance, cutting through red tape, consolidating resources, and engaging venture capitalists, tech startups, and nontraditional defense firms as critical partners,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF 401.

“We have just one measure of effectiveness: to deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS capabilities to our warfighters both at home and abroad. This purchase of the DroneHunter system is a key first step in accomplishing our Replicator 2 mission,” Ross added.

What Is Replicator 2?

Launched in 2023, the Replicator initiative is a Pentagon effort designed to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to warfighters. The initial phase of the program, Replicator 1, focused on fielding thousands of autonomous platforms across multiple domains. 

Replicator 2 aims to counter the threat posed by small drones. Established in August 2025, JIATF 401 leads the effort by synchronizing counter-small UAS initiatives across DOW and advancing rapid delivery of joint capabilities.

“Replicator 2 is not about starting from scratch,” Ross said. “It’s about leveraging the incredible innovation happening in the commercial sector and getting it deployed where it is needed most.”

In November, the joint task force announced plans to introduce an online marketplace to facilitate the procurement of c-UAS from various vendors.

What Is DroneHunter F700?

DroneHunter F700 is a counter-UAS weapon system that can be equipped with various payloads and countermeasures to stop rogue drones, including Group-1 and large Group-2 drones.

According to the department, the reusable interceptor drone uses artificial intelligence and radar to detect and track small, low-altitude UAS in complex environments. After detecting a potential threat, the system can intercept the drone using a tethered net and move it to a secure location for further examination and forensic analysis.

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DOE, NASA Team Up to Develop Nuclear Reactor to Power Lunar Missions By 2030
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The lunar surface. The Department of Energy and NASA teamed up to build a nuclear reactor for the lunar surface

The Department of Energy is working with NASA to create a nuclear reactor that would power missions on the lunar surface by 2030.

The agencies signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the research and development of a fission surface power system that will deliver safe and efficient electrical power on the moon or Mars, DOE said Tuesday.

“History shows that when American science and innovation come together, from the Manhattan Project to the Apollo Mission, our nation leads the world to reach new frontiers once thought impossible,” stated Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “This agreement continues that legacy.”

What Is Fission Surface Power?

The partnership is a continuation of the work that DOE and NASA are already doing to develop a safe and reliable energy source for space missions under the Fission Surface Power Project.

On the moon, nighttime lasts around 14.5 Earth days. A fission surface power system will deliver continuous power, even in the absence of sunlight, for several years without the need for refueling.

Why Are DOE and NASA Targeting a 2030 Timeline?

The 2030 deadline is aligned with President Donald Trump’s Ensuring American Space Superiority executive order, which called for the establishment of space nuclear power on the moon for long-term utilization.

Under the EO, the president said a lunar surface nuclear reactor must be ready for launch by 2030.

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Pete Hegseth Issues Memo Ordering Advana Restructuring
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Hegseth issued a memo to restructure the Advana program

War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a recipient of the 2025 Wash100, issued a new memorandum on the Advana program as part of the Department of War’s effort to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and auditability.

The memo, issued by Hegseth’s office on Friday, tasks the Pentagon’s chief digital and artificial intelligence officer to establish three distinct program components to transform Advana into a platform to harness the department’s extensive data assets and support warfighting, intelligence and enterprise missions.

Pete Hegseth Issues Memo Ordering Advana Restructuring

Department of War leaders will talk about the new innovations transforming military operations at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. Gain actionable insights from panel discussions on AI, quantum computing, and FutureG, and network with top industry representatives at this high-impact GovCon summit. Get your tickets here.

What Are Advana’s New Program Components?

Each program component will have technical leaders and will have access to enhanced engineering resources. The CDAO will oversee the programs and provide the Office of the Secretary of War with status updates every 45 days until the programs achieve full operational capability.

The three program components are:

  • War Data Platform, or WDP, will focus on standardized data integration to support AI and application development across the department.
  • Advana for Financial Management will support the under secretary of war comptroller‘s audit remediation teams in the mission to ensure that the DOW can achieve a clean audit opinion in fiscal 2027.
  • WDP Application Services will rationalize and migrate non-audit Advana applications to the new WDP architecture.

What Is Advana?

Advana was introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration to provide DOW users with analytics tools and services and data derived from the department’s over 400 business systems to support decision-making.

In March, Steven Morani, who was then acting under secretary of war for sustainment, issued a memo about the department’s intent to turn Advana into a formal program of record.

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Google Public Sector Survey Highlights AI Usage, Barriers Across Federal Agencies
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Jim Kelly of Google Public Sector. The company revealed a survey showing AI use in federal sector.

Google Public Sector released findings from a survey conducted by Government Executive showing that close to 90 percent of respondents from federal agencies have already adopted artificial intelligence or intend to do so. The research is based on responses from 250 federal IT leaders and influencers from both civilian and defense agencies, Google Public Sector said Wednesday.

Google Public Sector Survey Highlights AI Usage, Barriers Across Federal Agencies

Explore the growing impact of AI across government and industry at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18. Secure your spot today.

How Are Agencies Using Artificial Intelligence?

Government agencies are applying AI across a range of use cases, with 54 percent of respondents stating that they utilize AI to automate document and data processing. About 40 percent use it to streamline workflows to reduce manual effort, while 34 percent deploy AI-driven decision-support tools for fraud detection, resource planning and other tasks.

How Is Google Public Sector Supporting AI Adoption?

Jim Kelly, vice president of federal at Google Public Sector and previous Wash100 Award winner, said findings suggest that although many agencies already rely on AI for mission-critical tasks, concerns about security, workforce readiness and reliability persist.

To help address some of these challenges, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office at the Department of War deployed Google Cloud’s Gemini for Government on the Pentagon’s GenAI.mil platform, enabling more than three million civilian and military users to streamline everyday tasks, such as drafting routine communications and summarizing policy guidance.

Looking ahead, the company plans to help agencies tackle budget constraints, modernize legacy systems, and strengthen workforce skills over the next 12 to 18 months by leveraging Gemini for Government under the GSA OneGov Strategy and expanding access to Google Skills’ AI training resources.

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FedRAMP Seeks Comments on Proposed Updates to Close Out Authorization Act Reform
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FedRAMP logo. FedRAMP seeks comments on proposed reforms.

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program has rolled out a set of policy proposals aimed at bringing its overhaul under the FedRAMP Authorization Act to a close.

FedRAMP released on Tuesday six requests for comments, or RFCs, to align the program with its updated statutory role and Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-24-15, following nearly a year of testing and engagement with the cloud security community.

What FedRAMP Changes Are Being Proposed?

The RFCs propose new requirements for reporting independent assessment costs, a revised authorization designation system that distinguishes FedRAMP approvals from agency authorizations to operate and expanded FedRAMP Marketplace listings that would include services still in the preparation phase.

Other proposals introduce a new authorization step that leverages external security assessments for limited, low-risk use cases; a temporary sponsorless Rev5 certification path for certain providers; and requirements for machine-readable authorization data tied to defined implementation timelines.

Why Release Six FedRAMP RFCs at the Same Time?

Rather than issuing changes incrementally, FedRAMP opted for a single, coordinated release of the RFCs. The program office said the approach reflects the close connection between the proposed updates and aims to avoid creating a prolonged period of uncertainty for the FedRAMP ecosystem.

To reduce the burden on stakeholders, comment deadlines were staggered across the six proposals. Comment periods will remain open through mid-February and March, depending on the proposal.

FedRAMP said it will address questions about the RFCs during upcoming community update meetings and plans to host at least one special event focused on the changes. 

Data gathered will be used to improve the proposed updates.

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USPTO Unveils SPARK Pilot Program to Incentivize Standards Participation
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USPTO Director John Squires. USPTO has unveiled plans to develop the SPARK Pilot Program.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has announced the Standards Participation and Representation Kudos—or SPARK—Pilot Program, a new initiative aimed at expanding participation in standards development organizations, a.k.a. SDOs, by small and medium-sized businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations.

The SPARK program is the first initiative of the Standard-Essential Patent Working Group, following its Dec. 25 launch, USPTO said Wednesday.

What Is the SPARK Pilot Program?

The SPARK pilot program is designed to encourage broader U.S. participation in SDOs by offering a limited number of acceleration certificates to qualifying entities that make substantive technical contributions or otherwise play an active role in the standards-setting process.

The certificates can be used to speed up the review of patent applications or appeals before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, helping participants recoup some of the time and resources committed to standards work.

“The SPARK program recognizes that small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and non-profits bring critical expertise and innovative thinking to standards development, but often lack the resources of larger enterprises to sustain participation. By offering meaningful incentives here at the USPTO, we’re continuing to invest in broader and more robust U.S. representation in the very forums where tomorrow’s technologies are taking shape today,” said John Squires, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO.

What Is the Challenge With Technical Standards?

Technical standards underpin progress in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, telecommunications and manufacturing, but many smaller U.S. organizations lack the resources to consistently be involved in standards bodies, even though decisions made there can directly affect market access and competitive positioning.

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Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)
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AI. This is our first in a series of our comprehensive listing of chief AI officers in the federal government
  • Federal chief AI officers are quickly becoming some of the most powerful decision-makers in government
  • These public servants are influencing compliance requirements, cloud standards and many more key technologies
  • Hear directly from top federal chief AI officers like these at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18!

Federal chief artificial intelligence officers are fast becoming some of the most influential decision-makers in government. They are shaping how AI is adopted, governed and scaled across federal agencies.

From the White House and intelligence community to civilian agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Treasury, these leaders are creating policy for responsible AI use while aggressively pushing mission-driven innovation. Their strategies influence everything from compliance requirements and cloud standards to workforce development, pilot programs and acquisition priorities.

Why Do Chief AI Officers Matter for GovCons?

For GovCons, these officials matter because they define trusted, secure and deployable AI at the federal level. Understanding their priorities—risk management, transparency, data readiness and real-world impact—gives contractors a clearer view of where opportunities are emerging and how to align offerings with the government’s evolving AI agenda.

Let’s dive into the backgrounds of these top federal AI officers and how they’re defining technological excellence.

Note: This is part one of an ongoing series. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be sharing further iterations and will link to them here.

Be part of the federal AI conversation at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18! Get the latest business opportunities directly from top federal officials and industry experts. Check out cutting-edge panel discussions including Integrating AI into Legacy Federal Systems: Architectural Patterns That Work and Does Your AI Play Well With Others? Position your GovCon firm organization for what’s next in federal AI. Secure your seat now!

Who Are the Top AI Officers in Government?

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

David Sacks

AI and Crypto Czar, White House

Sacks has been the leading influential force behind President Trump’s AI initiatives. He mostly wrote Trump’s December executive order limiting states from regulating AI, according to Politico.

Sacks in July said the White House’s AI Action Plan provided a path for the U.S. to lead the world in AI through global partnerships, innovation and infrastructure. Sacks has also advocated for a free market approach to federal funding for AI startups, CNBC reported.
 

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Jeremy Walsh

Chief AI Officer, Food and Drug Administration

Walsh became the FDA’s first AI chief in 2025. He has more than 10 years of experience as a chief technologist at Booz Allen where he championed the development, production and delivery of revolutionary AI and cloud services for the healthcare industry, according to Chief Data Officer Magazine.

Walsh in 2025 coordinated a proactive timeline to internally scale use of AI in all FDA centers after a new generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers was completed. The GenAI tools allowed agency scientists and professionals to reduce time spent on manual tasks that often bogged down the review process.

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Gregory Barbaccia

Federal CIO, Office of Management and Budget

Barbaccia serves as the federal chief information officer, supervising the integration of secure and reliable technology in the federal government. He won a coveted Wash100 Award in 2025, recognizing his excellence and innovation in serving both the public and private sectors.

He was part of an Office of Personnel Management effort in 2025 called Tech Force to better recruit premier technologists to the federal government and advance AI adoption. Barbaccia in May called on government CIOs to build trust by being transparent with colleagues, other federal agencies and the public.
 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Lakshmi Raman

AI Director, CIAs the CIA’s AI director, Raman is pioneering innovative AI use at the spy agency. She said in June that she’s excited about agentic AI, where agents take action for an operator, according to FedScoop.

Raman has been at the CIA for nearly 24 years, starting as a software developer. She’s led critical efforts in analytics, data science and intelligence integration across the intelligence community. 

In a 2024 CIA podcast, Raman discussed how integrating large language models in generative AI was crucial to the agency’s open source mission. The CIA, she said, has a collection of AI professionals, engineers and data scientists helping the agency ensure its data is AI ready. It is also incorporating the technology into applications it uses regularly.

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Scott Flanders

CIO, Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Flanders became CIO with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2024 after serving as acting CIO and deputy CIO. As deputy CIO, he strategized and supervised the delivery of IT and information services critical to the NRC’s mission, according to OrangeSlices.ai.

Flanders in September developed an AI Compliance Plan for the NRC, with a goal of delivering trustworthy and compliant access to software tools. The plan specifically emphasizes utilizing enterprise-licensed services, FedRAMP-approved cloud environments and NRC-certified commercial AI properties.

AI is emerging as an essential capability across the federal government. Hear the newest requirements from top federal AI officials like these at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18! Get your pressing questions answered during Q&A sessions. Spark collaborations with other GovCon titans and score that big contract. Don’t wait—buy your ticket today! 

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Helena Fu

Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies Director, Department of Energy

Fu is leading the DOE’s exploration of emerging technologies such as AI, biotechnology and quantum computing to fight national security threats and improve access to clean and affordable energy. She told the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in September 2024 that the agency designed, developed and operates two of the world’s fastest super computers with a third in development.

This advancement in supercomputing capabilities has helped the DOE become the top producer of unclassified and classified scientific data, which propels AI models. Fu said the agency has been performing other advanced AI work including performing “red-teaming” exercises to examine how AI could be misused for chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Paras Malik

Chief AI Officer, Department of Treasury

Malik joined the Department of Treasury in June to lead the agency’s strategic use of AI. Malik in September drafted an AI strategy that focused on AI use cases including financial detection and risk analysis. It also covers economic forecasting, market monitoring, and procurement spending and oversight.

As part of a focus on AI learning and risk management, the Department of Treasury has launched a small pilot of a secure AI-based chat service with a goal of helping staffers better learn the practical applications of AI tools across a variety of functions. For more challenging workloads, the agency’s AI Sandbox allows experimentation in more secure environments while allowing offices and divisions to test and evaluate AI systems.

 

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)

Charles Worthington

Chief Technology Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs

Worthington is leading the VA’s effort to “capitalize” on AI to help it overcome hurdles in providing cost-effective and timely care. He told lawmakers in late 2025 that the VA was leveraging machine learning in workflows and in clinical operations for faster disease detection, according to FedScoop. Worthington said the VA is also utilizing AI to better find veterans at greater risk for suicide or drug overdoses. 

Worthington sees other use cases for AI at the VA. These include imaging, decision support and natural language processing. The VA has issued research in the medical device realm on the usefulness of AI imaging. Known as GI Genius, the agency has integrated the capability at more than 100 facilities, according to Healthcare IT News.

Niki Maslin

Chief AI Officer, Environmental Protection Agency

Maslin in October authored both the EPA AI Compliance Plan and its AI Strategy. The Compliance Plan describes how the EPA will meet federal regulations for responsible AI use by improving governance, creating a yearly AI use case repository and delivering on risk management practices. The Compliance Plan rates EPA’s AI maturity level as a two out of five and has a goal of helping the agency eventually reach a level of three or four.

The EPA AI Strategy outlines an approach to broaden AI use in the agency by bolstering infrastructure and employee readiness with a big focus on risk management and compliance with federal rules. It details how the EPA plans to fill a few positions to create an agency-wide AI Digital Services Consulting Team, which will provide technical consulting and lead in the development and procurement of applied AI workforce learning systems.

Valerie Szczepanik

Chief AI Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission

Szczepanik is leading a newly-formed AI task force at the SEC to spur innovation and improve efficiency of the organization’s operations, Reuters reported in August. This unit will consolidate agency-wide efforts and encourage interdepartmental teamwork to navigate the AI lifecycle.

She was previously director of the SEC’s Strategic Innovation and Financial Technology Office. Szcepanik has also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive List (Part 1)
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