Author Archive

David DiMolfetta

David DiMolfetta

Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

David DiMolfetta covers cybersecurity for Nextgov/FCW. Previously, he researched The Cybersecurity 202 and The Technology 202 newsletters at The Washington Post and covered AI, cybersecurity and technology policy for S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a BBA from The George Washington University and an MS from Georgetown University. Get in touch with him on X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta . If you have a tip you'd like to share, David can be securely contacted at djd.99 on Signal.
David DiMolfetta covers cybersecurity for Nextgov/FCW. Previously, he researched The Cybersecurity 202 and The Technology 202 newsletters at The Washington Post and covered AI, cybersecurity and technology policy for S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a BBA from The George Washington University and an MS from Georgetown University. Get in touch with him on X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta . If you have a tip you'd like to share, David can be securely contacted at djd.99 on Signal.
Management

Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms

Career staff can continue day-to-day operations, but the leadership gap could affect decisions on voting technology, standards and federal election programs.

Tech

HUD's tech chief appears headed for Interior

The expected pick would replace the agency's recently departed technology chief and continue a string of leadership changes.

Tech

House Homeland committee seeks briefing on DHS network hack

Cyber intruders accessed the unclassified network being used to help support World Cup games around the U.S., a senator said last week.

Breaking News Tech

Greg Barbaccia to leave federal CIO role at end of August

“Greg has done an excellent job as Federal CIO and Chief AI Officer,” an OMB spokesperson told Nextgov/FCW. “He will certainly be missed when his time here comes to an end.”

Tech

Trump says Pulte can declassify ‘whatever’ he wants, sparking fears of exposing intelligence secrets

“If he doesn’t care about blowing up cyber exploits, putting foreign relationships at risk, or getting people killed, he could declassify a lot,” one former official said.

Exclusive Tech

Hackers breached DHS information-sharing network, people familiar say

The Homeland Security Information Network is used by government, international and private sector partners to share sensitive but unclassified information.

Tech

CIA will take ‘smart risks’ and ‘course correct’ as it adopts AI, director says

“We simply can’t afford to wait for a risk-free approach to emerging tech. It doesn’t exist. We have to move fast. We have to be aggressive,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said.

Management

Lawmaker warns of administration’s ‘fetishization’ of Silicon Valley startups

Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., discussed his plans to scrutinize Trump-era contracting practices, revive federal IT oversight and push for AI policy.

Tech

Secret Service phone security lapses put US officials at risk, watchdog says

The DHS inspector general found that agents routinely used personal phones for official work, including during protective operations, because government-issued devices lacked key capabilities.

Management

Director of National Intelligence office cuts reach key coordination function

A senior official was placed on leave as detailed intelligence personnel were believed to have been returned to their home agencies, part of a broader effort to shrink the ODNI.

Exclusive Management

A plan to dismantle DHS is moving from idea to legislation

In an interview, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., explains how her proposal to break up DHS would reorganize the department's major components into standalone entities with greater independence.

Workforce

Lawmakers warn acting intelligence chief against major workforce changes

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., pointed to reports of potential staff cuts and warned against using the temporary appointment to make lasting personnel or declassification decisions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Management

Intelligence director hearing cancelled as Trump pushes for controversial voter bill

The development guarantees that Bill Pulte — whose selection to temporarily lead the office derailed a recent FISA vote — would start as acting national intelligence director on Friday.

Tech

AI is taking parts of background checks from 'months to hours,' clearance agency says

A Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency official says advanced AI can cut parts of the vetting process from months to hours.

Tech

Sen. Warner probes whether cyber agency workforce cuts weakened state support

The request comes as officials question whether workforce reductions have affected the federal government's ability to support local cybersecurity efforts.

Tech

White House cyber office hire triggers leadership changes inside infrastructure security agency

A senior CISA official’s move sets off a series of internal assignments as the agency prepares to expand hiring after a year of workforce reductions and restructuring.

Tech

Surveillance authority nears historic lapse as House deadlock meets intelligence leadership fight

Section 702 is set to expire for the first time after a failed House vote, even as a White House nomination aims to resolve a separate battle over who should oversee the intelligence community during the transition.

Tech

DOJ shutters alleged China-linked operation targeting current and former feds

The sites posed as consulting companies and used paid research opportunities to connect with people holding national security expertise, prosecutors said.

Tech

Trump memo pushes national security agencies to move faster on AI

The directive calls for deeper partnerships with AI companies while directing agencies to guard frontier models and the data centers that power them from foreign adversaries.

Breaking News Management

Trump appoints housing official to be acting director of national intelligence

The selection is unconventional for the nation’s lead intelligence official, a role tasked with managing 18 distinct agencies like the CIA and NSA.