Tag Archives: Government blog

A Look at Quantum Computing in the Public Sector

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The acceleration of quantum computing from a theoretical to a functional reality is beginning to feel as fast as supercomputers themselves. This rapid pace of advancement brings a new urgency to preparedness. Agencies across all levels of government, as well as government-adjacent commercial organizations, are preparing for both the opportunities and risks introduced by a post-quantum world.

Federal

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes 11 amendments related to quantum computing preparedness. The focus areas of these amendments include:

  • Mandating defense-specific strategy for quantum readiness.
  • Accelerating the implementation of quantum information science (QIS) technologies across Department of Defense (DoD) operations and missions.
  • Cultivating a workforce that is fluent in quantum physics-powered systems.
  • Examining the risk of quantum computing to GPS systems while also exploring how quantum sensor-enabled GPS technologies can be leveraged in department operations.
  • Establishing a Quantum Capabilities and Competition Office within the DoD to coordinate, lead, and direct the Department's quantum technology efforts.
  • Creating a Quantum Communications Corridor to serve as a network that connects certain defense installations, national laboratories, and universities working on DoD research.
  • Identifying what technologies that leverage quantum computing can be exploited by remote systems and could enable "offensive cyber operations."

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Honoring Service and Sacrifice: The Significance of Veterans Day

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Each year on November 11, our nation pauses to honor the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day is more than a federal holiday--it's a day of reflection, gratitude, and unity that underscores the value of service and the ongoing commitment to those who protect our freedoms.

Originally known as Armistice Day, the observance was established to mark the end of World War I. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day to recognize veterans from all eras of service. Today, it stands as a time to celebrate the courage, dedication, and resilience of millions of Americans--across generations--who have worn the uniform. Continue reading →

Shaping the Federal Workforce of the Future

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As the federal government continues to reshape the size and mission of government agencies, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and HR functions within agencies are reimagining how to manage the work of government.

Governmentwide Human Capital Management

With an eye toward efficiency, the OPM is looking for a way to streamline the management of human capital functions. The OPM estimates the federal government runs at least 119 human capital-management systems. These systems have limited interoperability, making it hard to get a full picture of the talent within the federal government. According to OPM Director Scott Kupor, the 44,000 HR professionals employed in government have to navigate "outdated and duplicative technology systems" as they look to build a workforce of the future.

The agency recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a single governmentwide human capital management (HCM) system. This system would be a single source of information on job titles, salaries, benefits, and employment histories, enabling full visibility into the federal workforce. With this visibility, hiring processes across agencies could be more consistent and streamlined. This change could also enable workers to more easily move between agencies into roles that are a match for their talent and goals, building a more flexible career path within government. Continue reading →

Our Autonomous Future Starts Now

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The autonomous future imagined by The Jetsons, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and even Back to the Future Part II may not yet be a reality, but a perfect storm of technological innovation is moving us closer. Drones, autonomous robots, and self-driving cars all rely on a complex web of technology to perform as programmed. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G availability are enabling autonomous devices to be more, well...autonomous.

Device autonomy is a spectrum. Basic autonomy could look like the end result of setting a flight path for a drone and then initiating an unmanned flight. More complex autonomy could resemble giving a drone parameters such as, "here's the data we want to capture" and the device then designing the tactics, flight path, and timing needed to meet that goal. The wide rollout of 5G provides infrastructure that can handle the high data volumes and speed required by autonomous devices and missions, while AI advances are allowing machines to engage in more advanced and proactive decision-making.

While the reality of autonomy will look different than what Hollywood visionaries depicted, its impact will be just as exciting as any blockbuster. Autonomous systems will be a critical part of realizing a number of key government goals. Continue reading →

Goodbye RMF, Hello CSRMC

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The Risk Management Framework (RMF) was introduced in 2022 to create a standardized way to measure and manage cybersecurity risk in the federal government. Modeled with standards including the Federal Information Security Modernization Act and NIST Special Publication 800-53, the RMF was a repeatable, structured method to manage cybersecurity risk and ensure compliance with federal standards. The RMF allowed agencies to identify, understand, prioritize, and reduce risks to their information systems and missions. It informed leaders of security risks, allowing them to make educated decisions about trade-offs between security and mission needs.

While it was designed to be more than a checklist, in practice the RMF had become just that. Rather than engaging with it dynamically, agencies employed highly manual processes that slowed the adoption of much-needed solutions. The process could not keep up with the quickly evolving threat landscape. Continue reading →