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FCC Warns Anew Against Chinese Communications Gear Posing National Security Risks
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FCC logo. Agency renewed its warning on communication gear and services posing national security risks

The Federal Communications Commission has renewed its warning against the use of communications equipment and services on its Covered List that pose risks to U.S. national security. 

FCC Warns Anew Against Chinese Communications Gear Posing National Security Risks

Much of the gear on the list is linked to foreign adversaries and could be used by the Chinese Communist Party to surveil Americans or disrupt communications networks, FCC said Tuesday.

The latest in U.S. homeland security programs, efforts and strategic initiatives will be among the topics in the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12. Reserve your seat before tickets sell out!

The advisory urged individuals and organizations to review the list—which includes equipment from Chinese firms such as Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, Dahua and cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab—and to consider the risks of using, purchasing, or interconnecting with them. 

The list also names U.S. subsidiaries of Chinese telecom providers, including China Mobile International USA, China Telecom Americas, Pacific Networks and China Unicom Americas, whose services remain subject to federal restrictions under the Communications Act.

Online Retailers Delist Unauthorized Devices

The latest FCC advisory follows the agency’s report Friday on “Operation Clean Carts,” an enforcement effort targeting the online sale of banned communications devices. Federal law prohibits marketing or selling Covered List equipment, but many e-commerce platforms had allowed such products to remain available, the agency pointed out.

After coordinating with major online retailers, the FCC said millions of listings for unauthorized devices—including Huawei smartwatches and Dahua home security cameras—have now been removed. According to the agency, the e-commerce companies involved have agreed to adopt stronger screening measures, educate third-party sellers and continue working with the FCC to prevent future violations.

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Yemi Oshinnaiye, Mike Derrios Depart Federal Roles
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Yemi Oshinnaiye and Mike Derrios. The TSA CIO and the State Department’s senior procurement executive are stepping down.

Federal News Network reported Friday that Yemi Oshinnaiye, chief information officer at the Transportation Security Administration, and Mike Derrios, senior procurement executive at the State Department, are stepping down from their roles.

TSA’s Yemi Oshinnaiye Heading to Industry 

According to sources, Oshinnaiye is leaving his role at TSA to join tech services company Capgemini as chief technology officer.

In 2012, he joined federal service as an IT specialist for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

In 2022, Oshinnaiye assumed the CIO position at TSA, where he led IT modernization efforts, including improving customer service, integrating artificial intelligence and advancing data mesh development to facilitate data-sharing.

His industry career included time at Electronic Data Systems and Dev Technology.

State Department’s Mike Derrios Retiring

Mike Derrios, the State Department’s senior procurement executive since 2020, will retire on Friday, Oct. 17, after more than three decades of federal service.

In his current position, he oversees a procurement portfolio valued at approximately $12 billion annually and manages a global workforce of more than 1,500 acquisition professionals.

Under his leadership, the State Department increased the use of category management and data analytics to improve visibility into procurement efforts.

The former U.S. Air Force contracting officer previously worked at CACI, TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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DOD to Shift $8B From R&D to Cover Soldier Paychecks Amid Shutdown
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Soldiers running. DOD is preparing to shift $8 billion from unused R&D funds to ensure troops receive paychecks on Oct. 15.

Breaking Defense reported Sunday that the Department of Defense is preparing to shift approximately $8 billion in unspent research and development funds for fiscal year 2025 to ensure that service members receive paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown.

According to a DOD official, President Donald Trump has directed the secretary of defense to use available funds to ensure that military personnel are paid on Oct. 15.

“The Department of War has identified approximately $8 billion of unobligated research development testing and evaluation funds (RDTE) from the prior fiscal year that will be used to issue mid month paychecks to service members in the event the funding lapse continues past October 15th,” the official wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense.

Government Shutdown’s Impact on Civilian Workforce, Troops

The government shutdown, which is approaching the two-week mark, has prompted the Pentagon to start furloughing civilian employees. 

Uniformed personnel, however, are required to continue their duties despite not receiving pay during the funding lapse.

Questions Remain Over Duration of DOD Funding Fix

The Pentagon official declined to answer further questions regarding how long the $8 billion will last, whether additional funds have been identified, or what impact the plan might have on new weapons and technology development projects.

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MITRE Proposes Regulatory Waiver System to Speed US Disaster Response
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Logo of MITRE. In a white paper, MITRE raised the potential use of prepackaged regulatory waivers

MITRE has proposed the establishment of predefined federal, state and local emergency regulatory waivers to expedite emergency response and recovery for U.S. critical infrastructure.

The nonprofit organization published a white paper titled Expediting Emergency Response with Predefined Regulatory Waivers to identify existing rules and regulations that may hamper recovery efforts following natural or manmade disasters and provide steps the government can take to develop prepackaged waiver and streamline regulatory relief.

The paper, the second in MITRE’s series on critical infrastructure readiness to conflict scenarios, is a result of a December tabletop exercise, which simulated a multiregion, multisector cyber attack on U.S. critical infrastructure.

MITRE Proposes Regulatory Waiver System to Speed US Disaster Response

Leaders from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security will be present to discuss threats to U.S. homeland security at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12. The event will feature a keynote address from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and panels tackling the impact of mega-events, artificial intelligence use in homeland security and supply chain resilience, and more. Secure your ticket to the event here.

How Existing Regulations Create Challenges in Disaster Response

During the exercise, state, local, and industry participants pointed out that government processes that typically ensure safety, accountability and oversight can become barriers in times of crisis.

For instance, participants from several cities reported that current regulations prevented them from seeking mutual aid to restore their natural gas distribution network under one of the exercise’s disruption scenarios.

Regulatory impediments not only slowed down recovery, but also led to increased adverse effects on the population’s health and safety.

MITRE also pointed out that, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, temporary regulatory, ordinance and
policy waivers are “the most effective means of restoring critical private-sector capacity.” 

What MITRE Recommends

MITRE proposes a tiered waiver system based on urgency:

  • Tier 1 for Immediate Lifesaving Waivers, which will prioritize the movement of and access to goods during the first 24 to 72 hours after a disaster 
  • Tier 2 for Stabilization Waivers will restore critical services 
  • Tiers 3/4 for Extended Outage/Recovery Waivers are for prolonged disruptions and address 
    long-term recovery

The paper also provides next steps of action for government, including engaging agencies and industry stakeholders to define a national waiver action plan, expanding reviews of statutory authorities across agencies and developing a decision-support tool to streamline waiver activation.

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Intelligent Waves, Signify Form IllumiConn to Advance Secure Optical Communications
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IllumiConn logo. Intelligent Waves and Signify has launched the IllumiConn JV to advance secure optical communications.

Intelligent Waves and Signify, a company specializing in connected LED lighting, have collaborated to launch IllumiConn, a joint venture designed to advance secure optical wireless communication for defense and government applications.

IW said the partnership merges its cybersecurity and networking expertise with Signify’s Light Fidelity and Free-Space Optics technologies to deliver high-speed, infrared-based data transport in mission-critical and contested environments.

IllumiConn’s Trulifi Powers Advanced Wireless Networks

Trulifi, IllumiConn’s flagship technology, delivers high-speed, ultra-low latency wireless communication using secure optical transmission beams instead of conventional radio waves. This non-RF-based system ensures reliable connectivity in both indoor and outdoor settings, especially where radio frequency systems struggle with interference or security concerns.

“IllumiConn delivers high-speed, secure communication that is immune to interception or interference and fully adaptable to mission-critical environments. It’s the future of secure wireless connectivity,” said Intelligent Waves CEO Tony Crescenzo.

Enhanced Security for Mission-Critical Operations

Trulifi’s optical transmission system’s narrow beams are immune to electromagnetic interference. Its signals are invisible, hard to jam and detect or intercept, making it suitable for classified and tactical operations requiring stealth and resilience.

“In an era where security and reliability are non-negotiable, IllumiConn offers a unique solution to deliver high-speed, secure communication that is virtually impossible to be intercepted or jammed,” said Craig Janus, chief operating officer of Intelligent Waves and CEO of IllumiConn.

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Navigating CMMC Compliance: The Essential Role of FedRAMP for Defense Contractors
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Deltek logo. Deltek outlines how FedRAMP standards simplify CMMC certification by strengthening cloud security.

The Department of Defense’s upcoming enforcement of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is reshaping how defense contractors approach cybersecurity.

According to software provider Deltek, Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program standards can simplify one of the most demanding pieces of CMMC compliance: cloud security. Contractors that rely on third-party cloud services to store, process or transmit controlled unclassified information should prioritize FedRAMP status to support CMMC assessments, the company added.

Where FedRAMP and CMMC Meet

CMMC verifies a contractor’s cybersecurity posture for DOD work, while FedRAMP evaluates cloud service providers for use across the federal government. The programs are distinct but connect where contractors use external cloud platforms. Under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 252.204-7012, cloud services handling CUI must have FedRAMP Moderate authorization or an approved equivalency to support CMMC Level 2 or Level 3 requirements.

What FedRAMP Moderate Requires

FedRAMP Moderate authorization entails implementation of extensive security controls, continuous monitoring and an external assessment. Providers unable to secure federal agency sponsorship can pursue FedRAMP Moderate equivalency, which requires the same technical controls and third-party verification but without an agency sponsor. The FedRAMP 20x initiative aims to shorten authorization timelines, though those process improvements remain in rollout.

When FedRAMP Becomes Critical

Deltek explained that FedRAMP requirements apply once CUI leaves internal systems and enters a third-party cloud environment. Contractors pursuing CMMC Level 2 or Level 3 certification must ensure their external providers hold FedRAMP Moderate authorization or equivalency and are listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, verifying that the providers satisfy 325 security controls and maintain continuous system monitoring.

Deltek highlighted that CMMC and FedRAMP alignment has become a competitive necessity for the defense industrial base. Its Costpoint GovCon Cloud Moderate platform was developed to help contractors meet FedRAMP Moderate equivalency standards, supporting CMMC Level 2 certification and long-term cybersecurity maturity.

Preparing for Implementation

The DOD will finalize CMMC regulations on Nov. 10, setting in motion a phased rollout. Early phases permit self-assessments for some contractors, followed by mandatory third-party certifications. Deltek advises firms to start with a gap analysis against National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171, review their system security plans, confirm FedRAMP authorization for cloud services and ensure accurate reporting to avoid compliance risks.

Deltek has partnered with GovCon Wire for the CMMC Enforcement Starts in November: Why Compliance is Your Ticket to Success Webinar on Oct. 21. Register now!

White House, AstraZeneca Sign Agreement to Deliver Lower US Drug Prices
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AstraZeneca logo. White House has signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to lower U.S. drug prices.

The White House announced a new agreement with AstraZeneca to align U.S. drug prices with those of other developed nations under the administration’s most-favored-nation, or MFN, pricing initiative.

White House, AstraZeneca Sign Agreement to Deliver Lower US Drug Prices

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 4 and learn about the most pressing topics in healthcare technology.

Discounts Target Asthma and COPD Treatments

The deal aims to lower costs for state Medicaid programs and patients nationwide while strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, the White House said Friday. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will offer discounted prices directly to American patients for several inhaler products, including Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere and Airsupra, which treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD.

Ending Global Price Disparities

The announcement follows similar agreements under Trump’s May 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to reduce prescription drug costs through MFN pricing. It also builds on the agreement with Pfizer to bring MFN prices to American patients. The policy seeks to prevent foreign nations from underpaying for U.S.-developed drugs at the expense of American consumers.

AstraZeneca Invests in U.S. Manufacturing, R&D

AstraZeneca pledged a $50 billion investment to enhance manufacturing and research and development by 2030. This includes building a new facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, to boost production of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients and generate 3,600 skilled jobs to support chronic disease and oncology pipelines.

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Air Force Seeks Contractors’ Info on Enhanced Theater Deployable Communications Package
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Air Force logo. Service branch's sources sought notice on enhanced agile communications package for warfighters

The Department of the Air Force is conducting market research on an enhanced agile communications package for its Theater Deployable Communications, or TDC, program. 

DAF is seeking contractor information on flexible, scalable and lightweight deployable communications systems that support command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and combat missions, according to a sources sought notice published on SAM.gov Friday.

Connectivity, Package Requirements

The systems must provide warfighters and commanders with secure access to Defense Information Systems Network services, including the Defense Switched Network, the Non-secure Internet Protocol Network and classified networks. 

The Air Force is interested in TDC equipment packaged in portable kits and modules that can be installed, transported and operated from transit cases, connecting users through workstations and Voice Over IP analog phones. The technologies should enable the rapid collection, analysis and sharing of information to support real-time decision-making, even in contested or degraded communication.

Interested parties are invited to submit their capability statements not later than Nov. 6.

An extension of the Department of Defense Information Network, TDC is part of the zero trust-centered task list of DAF’s chief technology officer, Scott Heitmann, who was named to his post in April. 

Iron Bow Technologies is one company already with a stake in the program, having secured in January 2023 a potential four-year $144 million contract to provide connectivity, reach-back support and TDC agile communications packages.

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Thomas DiNanno Confirmed as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control & International Security
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Thomas DiNanno. The national security leader received Senate confirmation for the under secretary of state position.

The Senate on Tuesday voted 51-47 to confirm Thomas DiNanno, a national security leader, as the next under secretary of state for arms control and international security.

According to a congressional notice, President Donald Trump nominated DiNanno for the position in February.

In this capacity, DiNanno will be responsible for interagency policy on nonproliferation and for the U.S. security policy in the areas of arms control, defense relations and regional security.

Who Is Thomas DiNanno?

DiNanno currently serves as director for strategic resiliency and wargaming within the strategic deterrence and nuclear programs focus area at the University of Nebraska’s National Strategic Research Institute, or NSRI. The institute is a Department of Defense-designated university affiliated research center sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command. 

Before joining NSRI, he served as a professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

From 2018 to 2021, DiNanno was with the State Department as senior bureau official and deputy assistant secretary for defense policy, emerging threats and outreach within the arms control, verification and compliance bureau.

His previous government roles include assistant administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency; deputy assistant secretary for critical infrastructure protection at the Department of Homeland Security; director of corporate relations at the White House Office of Homeland Security; and senior adviser and acting chief of staff at the Small Business Administration.

The newly confirmed under secretary served as senior fellow for homeland security and critical infrastructure protection at the International Assessment and Strategy Center between 2008 and 2017.

The Middlebury College economics graduate has a master’s degree in business and urban planning from MIT and a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Adria Jackson Named Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Chief Health Informatics Officer
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VA CHIO Adria Jackson. Adria Jackson was appointed chief health informatics officer for eastern Oklahoma by the VA.

Adria Jackson, a seasoned health informatics and registered nurse leader, announced on LinkedIn Wednesday that the Department of Veterans Affairs has appointed her chief health informatics officer for the Veterans Health Administration’s Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System.

Adria Jackson Named Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Chief Health Informatics Officer

Join the Potomac Officers Club 2025 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 4 and listen to leaders in government healthcare technology discuss the most pressing topics in healthcare technology and citizen user experience.

In her new role, Jackson will serve as the resident expert in health informatics and information technology and advise the system’s executive leadership team on data management, technology optimization and digital transformation.

Who Is Adria Jackson?

Jackson is a 34-year veteran of the healthcare sector with expertise in health and public health IT and health informatics. She is an adjunct instructor at Purdue Global and the University of Illinois Chicago.

Before joining the VA, she served as a technical public health informaticist at Flourish & Thrive Labs and director of IT and electronic health record applications at VCU Health. She also spent over two years at OhioHealth as a senior director and system director of clinical informatics.

Jackson worked as a health information officer at the Detroit Health Department and division manager at the Houston Health Department. She also spent nearly four years at Houston Methodist, holding various roles, including associate program director and senior application analyst.

She was a senior consultant at Vitalize Consulting Solutions. Before that, she spent over 10 years at the University of Michigan Health System. She worked as a registered nurse from 1988 to 2005. Jackson also served as a medic and combat medic in the U.S. Army.

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