Federal agencies are moving from broad cybersecurity requirements toward more deliberate, measurable approaches to identity, logging, and operational visibility. During the GovExec webcast, government and industry experts examined how agencies can translate new mandates into practical cybersecurity operations.

Bringing Government and Industry Perspectives Together

Advanced Technology Academic Research Center ()�����ǻ������ٴǰ� Suder led a webcast discussion with Patrick Donahue, chief information security officer of ; Amir Dastouri, chief information security officer of ; and Dr. , senior director of Civilian & Health national security at �鶹��Ƶ Federal. The panel combined first-hand government CISO perspectives with the implementation experience of an industry integrator.

The Differences Between NSPM-12 and OMB M-26-14

The panel emphasized that NSPM-12 and OMB M-26-14 address different parts of the federal technology environment. OMB M-26-14 excludes national security systems, while NSPM-12 provides the governance framework for resetting cybersecurity expectations for those systems.

Understanding that distinction is essential for agency leaders. The applicable mandate, system type, mission requirements, and risk profile all influence how an organization establishes logging priorities and implementation plans.

Moving From Requirements to Risk-Based Implementation

According to the panelists, effective logging begins with a risk-based decision about which data an agency should capture, retain, and analyze. More data does not automatically create better security outcomes. Agencies must determine which sources provide meaningful insight into mission systems, identity activity, security events, and potential threats.

The panelists suggested that a practical approach considers:

• Which systems and activities are most important to mission operations
• What telemetry is needed to support threat detection and investigation
• How long different types of data should be retained
• Which logging costs are justified by the data’s operational and forensic value
• How security teams will use the information in day-to-day operations

Closing the Visibility Gap Across the Enterprise

Agencies often manage a diverse environment that includes legacy platforms, cloud services, endpoints, and mission systems. Visibility gaps can emerge when asset inventories are incomplete, telemetry is inconsistent, or security data is not connected to the systems it represents.

As O’Dell explained, asset inventory, logging, and threat detection should be treated as interconnected capabilities. Agencies need to know what assets exist, which assets generate telemetry, whether that telemetry is being delivered in usable formats, and how security teams will apply it to detect and respond to threats.

Practical Guidance from Government CISOs

Donahue and Dastouri emphasized the importance of aligning implementation with mission outcomes and operational realities. Their perspectives reinforced that agencies must make responsible decisions about where to invest, how to sequence implementation, and how to demonstrate value through improved cybersecurity operations.

For government leaders, the objective is not simply to collect more logs. It is to establish capabilities that support mission assurance, informed decision-making, and effective investigations while using public resources responsibly.

The Integrator’s Role: Turning Data into Operational Value

O’Dell highlighted several areas where implementation support can help agencies move from policy to practice. Integrators can assist agencies in reconciling asset inventories with available telemetry, identifying coverage gaps, and designing repeatable processes for logging and analysis.

Successful implementation practices should help agencies answer practical questions:

• Are critical assets represented in the agency’s inventory?
• Do those assets produce the telemetry required for their risk profile?
• Can the agency receive, retain, and analyze the data effectively?
• Can security teams demonstrate how the data supports detection, response, or forensics?

Preparing for Key Milestones

The panel identified November 18 as the deadline for an Agency Logging Plan and December 18 as the Level 1 maturity milestone. Agencies can use these milestones to organize near-term planning and establish a foundation for longer-term capability development.

A readiness review should include:

• Confirming the systems and environments covered by each applicable mandate
• Validating asset inventories and identifying ownership for critical systems
• Mapping available telemetry to mission and cybersecurity requirements
• Documenting gaps in logging coverage, retention, delivery, and analysis
• Establishing implementation priorities based on risk and operational value
• Defining how progress and maturity will be measured

Contract Guidelines for Operational Success

Contract requirements can determine whether logging capabilities operate consistently after implementation. Agencies should define expectations for log delivery, data formats, retention, access, and coordination across service providers and system owners.

Contracts should also address emergency-change processes. Clear procedures can help agencies adapt logging configurations when operational conditions or cybersecurity priorities change, while maintaining accountability and continuity.

Proving Security Value Beyond Log Volume

The ATARC panel’s central message was practical: agencies should measure progress by operational proof and mission outcomes rather than by the volume of logs collected. Effective logging gives security teams the visibility, context, and evidence needed to support detection, response, and forensic activity.

By distinguishing the requirements of NSPM-12 and OMB M-26-14, aligning inventories with telemetry, and planning for the November 18 and December 18 milestones, agencies can build logging programs that are risk-informed, measurable, and connected to mission needs. The webcast offers federal cybersecurity leaders a useful perspective on translating policy expectations into sustainable operations.

To view the full webcast, please visit the following link and select “Register Now”, and then complete the registration form to view:

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This appointment comes at a pivotal time for government contractors, who continue to navigate evolving regulations, shifting federal priorities, and an increasingly competitive marketplace.����

“I’m honored to join the PSC Board of Directors and contribute to an organization that plays such an essential role in strengthening our industry and supporting the missions of our federal customers. PSC’s commitment to advocacy, innovation, and partnership aligns closely with our values, and I look forward to working alongside fellow board members to help advance the professional services community and drive meaningful impact for the nation.”�� – Mike Manzo

Learn more about PSC’s mission: ����

About �鶹��Ƶ Federal��

�鶹��Ƶ Federal’s family of companies deliver successful mission outcomes and elevated performance for federal civilian, defense and intelligence agencies while building an enduring enterprise focused on customers, employees, and shareholders. For more information, please visit .��

For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact PR@asrcfederal.com.��

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�鶹��Ƶ Federal’s redesign of the SINCGARS radio handset shows what’s possible when speed, innovation and digital engineering converge. In under a year, the �鶹��Ƶ Federal team transformed an aging but essential communications asset into a modernized tool built for today’s operational demands.

The Challenge: Legacy Tech in a Rapidly Changing Mission Environment

• SINCGARS has long served as the U.S. military’s primary combat‑net radio—connecting forces across ground, air, and maritime missions.

• Traditional engineering timelines for redesigning critical equipment can stretch years, delaying delivery of new capability to the warfighter.

The Breakthrough: Speed to Delivery Through Digital Engineering

�鶹��Ƶ Federal applied digital engineering and additive manufacturing to compress years of work into months. Key accelerators included:

• Reverse engineering of the legacy handset

• Digital modeling for faster validation

• Additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping and production

“We used rapid prototyping to iterate very quickly on our design. At the end of the day, we delivered an amazing product that the customer valued greatly. In fact, we delivered it nine months early. – Cory Hansen, Sr. Principal Electrical Engineer”

The Outcome: A Smarter, Mission‑Ready Handset

In less than a year, �鶹��Ƶ Federal has tested, qualified and delivered more than 2,600 new and improved SINCGARS handsets.

• Lighter, smarter and fully qualified for real‑time operations

• Designed to improve coordination, readiness and mission effectiveness

• Ready for training and combat environments across services

The rapid SINCGARS redesign isn’t just an engineering success—it’s a blueprint for how industry can answer the DoW’s call to get modernized, mission-essential technology in the hands of warfighters quickly and affordably.

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�鶹��Ƶ Federal’s fifth annual Tech Summit brought together technologists, innovators and company leaders to navigate customer challenges, sharpen technical skills and strengthen community. The summit included a , sessions on artificial intelligence, digital engineering, cybersecurity and the latest emerging technologies combined with opportunities to connect and engage with other technical experts from different programs and disciplines.

Attendees had a front-row seat to trends reshaping the federal technology landscape. In addition to technical deep dives on the organization’s key capabilities and skill-building workshops, they also experienced hands-on challenges that pushed teams to collaborate and think creatively – activities aimed at helping them stay agile in a fast-moving field.

The event brought together a broad cross-section of �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s workforce, including Technical Fellows and interns from the Summer Technology Readiness Intern Development Experience (STRIDE) program. “Bringing together our technology experts under one roof created an opportunity for a richer exchange of ideas, learning and collaboration,” said Eric Velte, �鶹��Ƶ Federal Chief Technology Officer. “The energy and curiosity on display were remarkable, and I’m excited to see the momentum from the summit drive real impact for our customers.”

Here’s what attendees had to say about this year’s Tech Summit:

“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with both my teams from the Civilian & Health and Defense & Intelligence divisions. Loved engaging in insightful discussions, sharing ideas and exploring new avenues for innovation together. Looking forward to bringing these learnings and fresh perspectives back to our ongoing work for our customers’ mission-critical initiatives!” – Debika Das, program manager, Civilian & Health Operating Group

“�鶹��Ƶ Federal’s Tech Summit is the only conference I can attend that touches on the topics of heritage and legacy in Alaska communities that were so important to my early career, while also reflecting interests such as mapping and geospatial technologies that I’ve pursued through professional organizations. I can jump between sessions on risk and governance, AI, software development, cybersecurity and systems engineering. I appreciate this opportunity to internally publish, present and discuss diverse topics, while meeting great people from across the country. Inspiration comes in many different forms, and it’s events like this that are highly meaningful to me.” – Matt Altman, �鶹��Ƶ Federal Tech Fellow

Want to join a team that invests in your growth and puts your skills to work on meaningful missions? Explore our open tech positions on the �鶹��Ƶ Federal Careers page.

Looking for an internship program where you can apply your technological interests and knowledge to exciting real-world missions? Visit our STRIDE page for more information.

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According to a , the nationwide maternal and infant health crisis is not improving – and in many U.S. communities, it’s getting worse.

For the fifth consecutive year, �鶹��Ƶ Federal participated in March for Babies, a campaign dedicated to ensuring every family has the opportunity for a healthy start. More than 400 �鶹��Ƶ Federal employees, friends and family members joined March for Babies walks organized in New Jersey, Washington, DC, Alabama, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. .

Pregnancy challenges and preterm births can impact any family. However, these issues place a heavy burden on people of color and those of Alaska Native and Native American descent. As a subsidiary of an Alaska Native corporation serving over 14,000 Iñupiaq shareholders from the North Slope of Alaska, the mission of the March of Dimes is one that matters to �鶹��Ƶ Federal.

Did You Know
The highlights the following maternal and infant health stats.

• The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for families of color.
• The preterm birth rate was 10.4% for the third year in a row.
• Half of all U.S. states received a preterm birth grade of D or F.
• Preterm birth rates were highest for Black infants (14.7%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (12.5%), Hispanics (10.1%), Whites (9.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (9.3%).
• The maternal mortality rate – death from complications of pregnancy or childbirth that occur during pregnancy or within six weeks after the pregnancy ends – was 18.6%.

Supporting the March of Dimes is a core part of how the company gives back, while also demonstrating their values and deepening employees’ ties to the communities where they live and work. Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s corporate responsibility programs.

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This summer, �鶹��Ƶ Federal welcomed 22 enthusiastic interns into STRIDE—a program designed to launch early-career professionals into the fields of technology and information systems. Among the diverse cohort were �鶹��Ƶ shareholders Jacob Ahmaogak, an IT major from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, and Ashley Horner, a rural development major, both contributing their skills to our IT and talent acquisition teams respectively.

The STRIDE experience began in June with a three-day onboarding in Reston, Vir., giving interns an immersive introduction to �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s mission, technical expertise, values and culture. This kickoff fostered valuable connections with company leaders and among the interns themselves, setting the stage for a collaborative summer.

The program wrapped up in early August at our annual Tech Summit. Interns participated in technical sessions, shared their experiences and took part in a STRIDE panel to reflect on their journey and discuss their future aspirations.

Jordan Lin, a recent graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in information science, described her internship as deeply rewarding.

“I was able to use the skills I learned in school and apply them to real situations to help our customers,” she shared.

Jordon interned on the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) contract in Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Tom Then, a Towson University computer science graduate, contributed to the Bouncy Beluga contract. He appreciated the opportunity to learn about government contracting and valued the support from his manager and mentor.

“They offered me great guidance throughout my internship,” Tom said.

Mentorship was a core element of STRIDE, with every intern paired with a mentor for regular meetings. These sessions helped interns explore their career goals, receive guidance and gain insights into the industry.

We’re proud to announce that Jordan Lin and three other interns have accepted full-time positions with �鶹��Ƶ Federal, continuing their professional journey with us.

These newest team members include:

• Maha Larhmari, a George Mason University graduate in information management systems, joining the Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service contract.
• Alex Gallardo, who graduated from University of Colorado in cybersecurity management, joining the Wing Information and Communications Support II (WICS II) contract.
• Chloe Greenbaum, an aerospace engineering graduate from University of Central Florida, joining the Orion contract.

In addition, 11 STRIDE interns will continue working part-time with �鶹��Ƶ Federal as they finish their degrees.

Congratulations to the exceptional 2026 STRIDE class! Their dedication, curiosity and teamwork have made this summer unforgettable—and we look forward to seeing continued success from this year’s cohort.

Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s STRIDE program.

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Key Takeaways

• �鶹��Ƶ Federal is a leading government contractor supporting defense, intelligence, civilian, health and space customer missions.
• �鶹��Ƶ Federal has supported government space initiatives for more than 20 years, including managing satellite operations, maintaining and modernizing radar systems, supporting financial innovation across NOAA, and fabricating the Orion astronaut crew capsule for NASA’s Artemis program.

Radar Expertise

• �鶹��Ƶ Federal has over 20 years of experience supporting our Nation’s civilian and defense radar infrastructure.
• We have managed the Alaska Radar System for the last 20 years, established a land-based radar site in Guam, and have been a key partner in modernizing our Nation’s missile tracking infrastructure.
• The company’s expertise spans the full system lifecycle including engineering, installation, integration, testing, operations, maintenance, and program management, ensuring our customers have reliable, mission-ready capabilities when and where they need them.

Trusted Golden Dome for America Partner

• �鶹��Ƶ Federal is a trusted partner for the Golden Dome for America initiative due to our breadth of capabilities and long-standing partnerships with key stakeholders.
• We can help integrate commercial pathways as well as civilian and defense systems for the homeland defense program.

Core Capabilities

• �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s key capability areas include radar systems, defense modernization, artificial intelligence, financial technology, DevSecOps, zero trust, cybersecurity, warfighting, sensor systems and advanced payload testing.

Mission-driven and experienced workforce

• �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s team of dedicated professionals deep expertise, a commitment to precision and the agility to respond to emerging mission requirements quickly.
• Our government partners are seeking speed, precision, and tailored AI solutions to overcome their biggest challenges… and we’re proud to deliver.

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In June, �鶹��Ƶ Federal launched the fourth year of the , an immersive program designed to develop entry-level talent in technology and information systems.

As our 2026 internship program winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the 2024 STRIDE cohort—exceptional individuals who have since joined �鶹��Ƶ Federal and are already making a significant impact.

Michael Peluso, a proud member of the 2024 STRIDE Class, began a full-time journey with �鶹��Ƶ Federal in May 2025 as an associate software engineer in Moorestown, NJ. Michael supports the Navy’s Aegis Weapon System by building and maintaining software that converts operator input into real-world defensive actions. Motivated by a passion for national and international security, Michael finds purpose in mission-driven work.

“What makes me proud is supporting national and international defense and safety,” Michael shares. “Working somewhere like Apple or Nvidia would be cool, but it doesn’t directly affect national security. I’m really big on the mission I’m supporting rather than the individual steps I take each day.”

Kristina Palazzo, Michael’s manager, says Michael brings fresh ideas and strong enthusiasm to the team and looks forward to seeing his continued growth at �鶹��Ƶ Federal.

Fellow 2024 STRIDE alum Alexandra Adams, a data scientist supporting �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s Growth Organization, has also made a meaningful mark since joining the company, contributing unique strengths that foster innovation and collaboration across teams. Her work includes special projects as well, such as developing and testing critical AI tools.

“My mentor built my confidence and gave me a project that applied broadly across the company. And working with my fellow interns helped me understand what it’s really like to work at �鶹��Ƶ Federal.”

Donna Hill, Alexandra’s manager, describes Alexandra as a collaborative problem solver who consistently goes above and beyond in support of colleagues. Alexandra has taken the initiative to lead several team projects, demonstrating technical skill and a strong dedication to building a positive, productive work environment. Alexandra’s drive and adaptability continue to inspire those around the team.

Together, Michael and Alexandra embody the core values of the STRIDE program—purpose driven, curious and committed to making a difference.

Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ Federal’s STRIDE Program.

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�鶹��Ƶ Federal recently achieved Level 2 Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) following a rigorous independent assessment by a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). This milestone validates the company’s strong and compliant cybersecurity posture in support of Department of War (DoW) missions.����

Established by the DoW,��the�� requires contractors within the defense industrial base to demonstrate their ability to combat increasing cyber threats and safeguard sensitive government information, including Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).��

Attaining CMMC 2.0 Level 2 certification affirms �鶹��Ƶ Federal has fully implemented all 110 security controls aligned with the ,��validating the��operational��maturity of its enterprise-wide cybersecurity��controls��and governance,��including continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities.��

“Achieving CMMC Level 2 highlights our culture of operational excellence and commitment to protecting critical data that drives U.S. missions. As a trusted partner to the defense community, we will remain committed to investing in secure infrastructure that advances mission readiness and helps meet the shifting cybersecurity requirements of the national security sector,” said John Pisano, �鶹��Ƶ Federal chief information officer. ��

As the CMMC framework continues to roll out across the defense industrial base, few companies have completed C3PAO Level 2 certification. “�鶹��Ƶ Federal is among just over 1,000 fully certified companies — roughly 2% of the approximately 70,000 organizations expected to need CMMC Level 2 compliance,” noted Ron Davis, �鶹��Ƶ Federal chief information security officer. “This certification proves our strong cybersecurity defenses, demonstrating our ability to safeguard the nation’s most sensitive defense data environments across our people, processes and technologies.”��

“This accomplishment��reflects��our core values of��teamwork, accountability, integrity and continuous improvement��and highlights the��vital��role of collaboration across our entire organization,”��Pisano��added. “I cannot underscore enough the��focused execution and sustained commitment of��our information technology (IT) team��to advancing our��cybersecurity��posture��during this CMMC initiative.”��

For their leadership and innovation to driving technology excellence, Pisano and Davis have been named finalists in this year’s ��and����ORBIE Awards, which will be announced��in��late��June.��Learn more about Pisano’s journey and��leadership philosophy��in this��.��

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Earlier this year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the availability of its , , an advanced system designed to support a new generation of missions and research projects. Athena will provide the computational power necessary to simulate rocket launches, design next-generation aircraft and spacecraft, train large-scale artificial intelligence foundation models and analyze massive datasets to uncover new scientific insights. This high-performance computing (HPC) system – housed at NASA’s Ames Research Center – will help NASA scientists, engineers and researchers overcome complex challenges in space, aeronautics and science while lowering operational costs and improving energy efficiency.

Our Team Behind this Mission

The �鶹��Ƶ Federal team, comprised of HPC-focused architects, system administrators and application subject matter experts, was responsible for leading the development and implementation of a new site architecture as well as managing the transition and integration into NASA’s operational environment. Extensive planning, coordination and technical innovation were required to successfully guide the system through design, integration testing and rollout phases. This initiative relied heavily on collaboration across multiple organizations, such as infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, operations and vendor partners – with the team focused on balancing system stability, user adoption and performance optimization while minimizing disruption to ongoing scientific workloads. �鶹��Ƶ Federal is currently providing continuous 24/7/365 operational support for Athena HPC.

“The NASA Ames Research Center conducts critical research and development for the technologies that make NASA missions possible. We are proud to have worked hand-in-hand with our customer to help bring their vision for this transformational platform to life,” said Eric Velte, �鶹��Ƶ Federal Chief Technology Officer.

Interesting facts about NASA’s newest supercomputer include:

• Athena surpasses the capabilities of its predecessors, Aitken, Electra and Pleiades, in both power and efficiency, delivering over 20 petaflops of peak performance – a measurement of the number of calculations it can make per second – all while reducing the agency’s supercomputing utility costs.
• The system includes 1,024 nodes across four racks, delivering 262,144 CPU cores. For perspective, this four-rack cluster has as many cores as 16,000 to 22,000 modern laptops combined.
• The list ranks high-performance computing systems used for advanced scientific and engineering applications worldwide; Athena currently holds the 116th spot.
• Athena was named after the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare and was selected through a contest held last year among NASA’s High-End Computing Capability workforce – which was chosen because she is the half-sister of Artemis (the agency’s lunar exploration program).

Learn more about the Athena HPC supercomputer in this .

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