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NIST Updates Guidance on Incident Response Recommendations for CRM
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NIST Updates Guidance on Incident Response Recommendations for CRM

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released updated guidance outlining ways to incorporate incident recommendations and considerations into cybersecurity risk management activities in alignment with the second iteration of its Cybersecurity Framework, or CSF 2.0.

NIST said Thursday the Special Publication 800-61 Revision 3 seeks to help organizations mitigate the impact of cyber incidents and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their incident detection, response and recovery efforts.

Incident Response Life Cycle Model Based on 6 CSF 2.0 Functions

The publication presents an updated incident response life cycle model based on the six functions of CSF 2.0: govern, identify, protect, detect, respond and recover.

According to NIST, the govern, identify and protect functions help organizations prevent cybersecurity incidents, prepare to manage incidents that occur, reduce the impact of such incidents and enhance incident response and cyber risk management practices based on lessons learned.

Meanwhile, the detect, respond and recover functions seek to help organizations discover, prioritize, manage and recover from cyber incidents, as well as conduct incident reporting, notification and other incident-related communications.

CSF 2.0 Community Profile

The document includes a section defining NIST’s CSF 2.0 Community Profile for cyber incident risk management.

According to NIST, the profile uses the CSF Core as the basis for prioritizing cyber outcomes that are key to incident response, offers recommendations and gives other supporting information on certain CSF outcomes within the context of incident response.

Attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit on May 15 and hear experts discuss new cyber policies, modernization strategies and more. Register now!

POC - 2025 Cyber Summit
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Army Project Convergence Coming to Pacific Theater for Next Experiments
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Army Project Convergence Coming to Pacific Theater for Next Experiments

The U.S. Army wrapped up the first part of the 2025 Project Convergence, the service’s warfighting experiment, and is now prepping for the next phase to be conducted in the western Pacific. Lt. Gen. David Hodne, director of the Futures and Concepts Center at Army Futures Command, said at a recent event that the next portion of Project Convergence will expand to the Philippines, Japan, Tahiti and Australia. 

The multinational events aim to develop advanced capabilities for the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept. According to Hodne, Project Convergence is a series of experiments that will conclude in May. 

Part A of Project Convergence took place in the National Training Center at Fort Irwin in California in March. About 6,000 military personnel participated in the event to field new technologies. 

Why Is Project Convergence Going to the Pacific?

Part B of Project Convergence will test capabilities across geographical distances, something that troops cannot do at Fort Irwin.

“There won’t be any walking across the street from Tahiti to the Philippines,” the official explained. “It will be assured data, assured communications with tactical, operational, strategic distances. If we can converge that data-centric command and control from the combatant command to the corps and the corps to the squad, we can converge that capability from the squad all the way to the combatant command and we can be far more effective.” 

Brig. Gen. Zachary Miller, commander of the Army’s Joint Modernization Command, said JADC2 is designed to work in the Pacific theater. Among the challenges the Army and other military services will try to address in the experimentation is joint communications. 

Miller pointed out that the services must be able to put their sensors together to detect threats. 

What Is Next for Project Convergence?

Hodne revealed that a third component of Project Convergence is the Army’s Title 10 wargame called Future Studies Program, or FSP. 

The Army plans to further evolve Project Convergence in 2026. According to Hodne, the next iteration of the experimentation series will bring together other Army experiments such as the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment. 

Military leaders and experts will come together at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18 to discuss the Army’s most urgent priorities and challenges. Register for the in-person event now!

Army Project Convergence Coming to Pacific Theater for Next Experiments
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NOAA to Purchase More Commercial Radio Occultation Data to Support Weather Monitoring
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NOAA to Purchase More Commercial Radio Occultation Data to Support Weather Monitoring

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has revealed plans to purchase commercial radio occultation data as a service from diverse orbits. The agency said that it intends to increase procurement of RO data in the equatorial, polar and mid-latitude regions.

US Government Turns to Industry for RO Data

NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Services, or NESDIS,  is conducting a study on possible alternatives for Global Navigation Satellite System RO capabilities to replace its remote-sensing satellite constellation built to deliver atmospheric data. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2, or COSMIC-2, is made up of six small satellites for weather forecasting and climate research. 

COSMIC-2, launched in June 2019, is nearing the end of its operational life. 

The results of phase 1 of NOAA’s RO architecture analysis of alternatives were published in January and it highlights the critical need of the agency for not just multiple, coordinated orbits but observation refresh rate of six hours in the tropics. By expanding commercial data acquisition, NOAA hopes to meet required commercial data with continuous global coverage for forecasting and researching Earth and space weather. 

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AFSOC Receives First Missionized OA-1K Skyraider II
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AFSOC Receives First Missionized OA-1K Skyraider II

The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has officially accepted the OA-1K Skyraider II to its fleet.

The Air Force said Friday the AFSOC received the first missionized Skyraider II during a ceremony held at the Hurlburt Field in Florida on April 3. Guests at the event included AFSOC representatives, local community leaders, retired Lt. Col. Bill Buice and Phillip Edward Jennings. The 98-year-old Buice was an A-1 Skyraider pilot while Jennings is the one who rescued him after he was shot down in Vietnam. The new Skyraider II is named after the A-1 Skyraider.

What Is the Skyraider II?

The OA-1K Skyraider II is a new crewed aircraft designed for various applications or missions. Its adaptability reportedly allows it to perform close air support, precision attacks and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, operations.

The AFSOC’s newest airframe is based on the Air Tractor AT-802. The highly adaptable Skyraider II not only enables operators to accomplish various missions, but also creates complex challenges for opposing forces. It is also more cost-effective than other special operations aircraft as it requires less maintenance and operational expenses.

“Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution to our national security needs,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, AFSOC commander. “It will redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response and the evolving landscape of modern warfare,” he added.

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Space Force Fast-Tracks NSSL GPS III-7 Mission Launch
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Space Force Fast-Tracks NSSL GPS III-7 Mission Launch

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command have revealed plans to launch the National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, Global Positioning System III-7 mission by the end of May this year.

The SSC said Monday the upcoming NSSL mission aims to deploy the GPS III Space Vehicle 08 in orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Accelerated Space Force Missions

The expected NSSL launch follows the Rapid Response Trailblazer launch in December last year. The mission’s accelerated timeline showcases the two field commands’ enhanced responsiveness. A typical mission takes up to 24 months to prepare, but the NSSL GPS III-7 mission will have only about three months before its scheduled launch.

To fast-track the launch, the field commands will enforce a comprehensive integration of efforts from various Space Force organizations to accomplish the feat. The work will include pre-launch processing of the SV-08 by SpOC’s Mission Delta 31, which will also work with Lockheed Martin to speed up the delivery of the GPS III satellite. The satellite will then be rapidly integrated with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle before preparing the space vehicle for launch.

Enhancing Warfighter Capabilities

The aim of the GPS III-7 mission is to boost the capabilities of combatants, particularly during operations, by rapidly deploying modernized precision, navigation and timing capabilities to the joint force. The GPS III satellite will be equipped with M-Code technology, which enhances the accuracy and resistance to jamming of the warfighter’s capabilities by three and eight times, respectively.

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New LIFT Center Offers Advanced Metallic Production, Processing Capabilities
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New LIFT Center Offers Advanced Metallic Production, Processing Capabilities

Organizations and companies in the U.S. industrial base, including academia and startups, have been invited to tap the capabilities of the Advanced Metallic Production and Processing, or AMPP, Center that the Leading Innovations For Tomorrow, or LIFT, program has established in Detroit. 

The center can rapidly bring concepts of new materials to prototype, testing and production, Nigel Francis, LIFT’s CEO and executive director, said in the institute’s Monday announcement of the center’s opening. “The pace of advanced manufacturing innovation is accelerating, and the development of novel materials is crucial to keeping the U.S. ahead of global competitors,” Francis stated.

DOD-Backed Program With Industry Network

LIFT, a public-private partnership with the Department of Defense technology program under the National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Institute, established the AMPP Center to serve as a collaboration hub among its close to 400 members and key industry players.

The program’s membership network includes original equipment manufacturers, materials producers and developers, and parts manufacturers. They can rely on the center for metallic production and processing capabilities, such as materials production, accelerating product availability and delivery, and toll processing and contract manufacturing.

Advanced Capabilities in Rapid Materials Development

The center is geared to produce metals across all alloy types and process them into top quality metal powder, wire and rod feedstocks. It offers capabilities to hasten materials development through advanced processes, such as additive manufacturing. With the center’s support, domestic manufacturers can reduce risks and costs of materials development, while also accelerating product availability on the market, according to LINK. 

In addition to the AMPP Center, LIFT has opened a satellite unit in Puerto Rico to convene technology partners in advanced materials development and manufacturing. LIFT’s funding support from DOD is managed through the Office of Naval Research. 

In May 2023, the manufacturing innovation program secured a new five-year $49.4 million support through a cooperative agreement with ONR, enabling LIFT to join the Manufacturing USA network and showcase its work in materials, manufacturing, systems engineering and material characterization.

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TCOM Honored With 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Export Award
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TCOM Honored With 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Export Award

TCOM has been honored with the North Carolina Governor’s Export Award in the large business category.

The airborne persistent surveillance company said Wednesday it was recognized by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina for its significant achievement in growing international sales and strengthening the state’s export economy.

What Is the North Carolina Governor’s Export Award?

Governor Josh Stein and the EDPNC presented the Governor’s Export Award, which celebrates North Carolina companies that have gained substantial expansion in the international market. TCOM won in the large business category, which honors enterprises with significant export accomplishments and global presence.

Commitment to Airborne Surveillance Innovation

TCOM is committed to enhancing airborne surveillance innovation, intensifying efforts to expand its business worldwide. Its advanced aerostat systems are utilized worldwide, offering persistent surveillance services for a wide range of applications such as disaster response, border protection and military operations.

The company is also dedicated to helping North Carolina boost its presence in the international market.

“We are honored to receive the Governor’s Export Award,” said Ron Bendlin, president and CEO of TCOM. “This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of our team to deliver cutting-edge surveillance solutions globally. We remain dedicated to advancing our technology and expanding our international reach, contributing to North Carolina’s reputation as a hub for innovation and excellence,” he added.

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OMB Memos Seek to Promote Responsible AI Use, Procurement in Government
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OMB Memos Seek to Promote Responsible AI Use, Procurement in Government

The Office of Management and Budget has issued two memos to facilitate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence tools and drive efficient AI acquisition in the government.

In a fact sheet published Thursday, the White House said the policies mark the executive branch’s transition to a pro-innovation, pro-competition approach while mitigating unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions on the use of AI and enhancing U.S. superiority in AI innovation.

Fostering Responsible AI Adoption

M-25-21 provides agencies with the tools needed to advance AI innovation while maintaining strong protections for the civil rights, privacy and civil liberties of Americans.

Under the new memo, chief AI officers should promote agencywide AI adoption and innovation for lower risk AI; advise on AI investments and spending; and mitigate risks for higher-impact AI.

The policy directs agencies to produce an AI adoption maturity assessment to monitor progress and needs. It also introduces a “high-impact AI” category to track AI use cases that demand heightened due diligence due to potential impacts on the safety or rights of citizens.

Advancing Efficient AI Acquisition

M-25-22 offers guidance on how agencies could improve their ability to acquire AI tools rapidly, competitively and responsibly.

Under the memo, agencies must support a competitive AI marketplace by maximizing the use of American-made AI systems and services. They should also use performance-based acquisition techniques and establish an online shared repository of tools and resources to help with AI procurement.

The policy outlines specific requirements that avoid vendor lock-in and seeks to eliminate burdensome agency reporting requirements to facilitate the acquisition process.

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DOD Memo Outlines Reporting Instructions for Terminated, Canceled Awards
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DOD Memo Outlines Reporting Instructions for Terminated, Canceled Awards

The Department of Defense has announced a memorandum that provides contracting officers and agreement officers with specific instructions for reporting termination and cancellation actions related to the Trump administration’s efficiency initiatives to the Federal Procurement Data System, or FPDS, and the System for Award Management, or SAM.

DOD said Thursday the memo from the principal director of the Defense Pricing, Contracting and Acquisition Policy, or DPCAP, is in compliance with a Feb. 18 presidential memo titled Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending.

According to the department, the DPCAP memo applies to unclassified Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts and other transaction agreements for prototypes or follow-on production.

How to Report Terminations & Cancellations to FPDS

The memo directs contracting personnel to make the appropriate selection from the options provided in the “Reason for Modification” field in FPDS and select the “RTWS” option in the “Initiative” field in contract action reports submitted to the system for any definitized cancellation or termination modification that is related to the efficiency initiatives.

Contract action reports should be reported to FPDS within three business days.

Posting Special Notices to SAM

The document directs contracting officers to post a special notice in SAM’s Contract Opportunities area to provide details of the unclassified canceled or terminated award reported to FPDS. The special notice is only required if the value of the award is greater than $250,000.

The memo also includes specific instructions for canceled or terminated awards whose statement of work or performance work statement is publicly releasable.

Hegseth’s Memo on Wasteful Spending

In March, Pete Hegseth, defense secretary and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, signed a memorandum to terminate more than $580 million in contracts, programs and grants as part of DOD’s ongoing effort to eliminate wasteful spending.

The memo called for the cancellation of a software development program for the Defense Civilian Human Resources Management System and the termination of over $360 million in additional grants that are not aligned with DOD priorities.

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William Hartman Named Acting NSA Director Following Dismissal of Top Officials
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William Hartman Named Acting NSA Director Following Dismissal of Top Officials

Lt. Gen. William Hartman has been appointed acting director of the National Security Agency several hours after the Trump administration fired top officials at the agency, The Hill reported Saturday.

LTG Hartman will also serve as acting commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and acting chief of the Central Security Service, while Sheila Thomas will be the acting NSA deputy director.

The appointment follows President Donald Trump’s decision to dismiss NSA Director Gen. Timothy Haugh, Brian Walsh, senior director of intelligence, Thomas Boodry, senior director of legislative affairs, and David Feith, senior director of technology and national security.

Trump’s decision to fire the officials was based on recommendations by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who questioned their loyalty. The president said, “Laura Loomer is a great patriot. She’s a very strong person. She makes recommendations on things and people, and sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody. I listen to everybody, and then I make a decision.”

Who Is William Hartman?

Prior to his NSA designation, Hartman was the commander of the Cyber National Mission Force. 

In his military career, the University of South Alabama’s distinguished military graduate held various positions as an infantry, military intelligence and cyberspace operations officer. He was assigned to various countries, including Italy, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey.

He has also received numerous recognitions, including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf clusters and the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusters. 

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