Volume 1, Issue 12
SE&M Solutions LLC publishes The In-Brief to help keep government and industry leaders aware of important issues in the personnel security, suitability, Trusted Workforce 2.0, background investigations, adjudications, counterintelligence, industrial security communities, and quantum.
Articles of Interest
NSF Investing $67M to Establish Center to Mitigate Foreign Threats to US Research
ExecutiveGov reports the National Science Foundation is investing a total of $67 million over five years to establish the Safeguarding the Entire Community of the U.S. Research Ecosystem, or SECURE, Center, which will work as an information clearinghouse to enable the identification and mitigation of foreign threats to the U.S. research enterprise. Of the total investment, $50 million will go to University of Washington, which will lead the SECURE Center, and $17 million to Texas A&M University, one of nine other institutions of higher education that will support the effort.
House panel advances DOD Policy Bill with Sweeping Acquisition Reforms
Military Times reports the House Armed Services Committee members passed their initial draft of the annual defense authorization bill on July 15th. The bill includes the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery Act, or SPEED Act, is the latest approach in a flurry of actions over the last few months by policymakers to cut the bureaucracy surrounding how the Defense Department buys equipment. The SPEED Act has received bipartisan support.
House NDAA Draft Mandates Database of Contractors Used in Covert Operations
Defense One reports the House of Representatives draft version of the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill would require the Pentagon to create and maintain a database of all commercial vendors involved in clandestine military operations, a move aimed at tightening oversight and reducing counterintelligence risks across the U.S. defense ecosystem.
Chinese Hacks into National Guard Systems a “Serious Escalation” Experts Warn
NextGov reports a Department of Homeland Security memo summarizing Pentagon findings said the group — known publicly as Salt Typhoon — “extensively compromised a U.S. state’s Army National Guard network” between March and December 2024. The state was not named. Salt Typhoon also “collected its network configuration and its data traffic with its counterparts’ networks in every other US state and at least four US territories,” says the memo, citing a DOD report. “This data also included these networks’ administrator credentials and network diagrams — which could be used to facilitate follow-on Salt Typhoon hacks of these units.”
Over 20 Million DOD Users to Get New Online Login Verification Process
More than 20 million people in the military community, including many Tricare beneficiaries, will be moving to a new online authentication system over the next 18 months. The new myAuth system is replacing the legacy DS Logon system, which authenticates users onto more than 200 Defense Department and Veterans Affairs websites. Those who use the DS Logon system currently include military personnel, DOD civilians, military and civilian retirees, family member beneficiaries, contractors and vendors. When the system is completely phased in, users will be able to access all of their regular DOD applications with the one sign-in through myAuth. DOD officials say the new system will simplify the login process. To learn more about the new system rollout, view the full article by Military Times.
White House Taps Global Strike Head as Next Air Force Vice Chief
Military Times reports that the White House has nominated Gen. Thomas Bussiere, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, to be the service’s next vice chief of staff. The Pentagon announced Bussiere’s nomination, and said Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis, now the Air Force’s inspector general, has been nominated to receive his fourth star and succeeded Bussiere as head of Global Strike. Bussiere is an experienced command pilot with more than 3,400 flight hours, including combat missions during multiple campaigns. He is also one of the Air Force’s top general officers, with years of experience managing bomber and nuclear forces and overseeing strategic operations. He has led Global Strike since December 2022, managing the Air Force’s bomber fleet of B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52H Stratofortresses, as well as the nation’s arsenal of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Pentagon Tightens Rules on Getting Medical Waivers to Join the Military
AP News reports that people with congestive heart failure, undergoing treatment for schizophrenia or who have a history of paraphilic disorders will no longer be eligible for a medical waiver to serve in the military, according to new rules issued by the Pentagon. The guidance signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth updates a list of conditions that disqualify potential recruits from serving in the armed forces. Waivers have long been used to enlist young people who might otherwise be unqualified for military service due to a wide array of medical, conduct or other reasons.
OPM Encourages Telework for Religious Accommodations Following Supreme Court Ruling
Per Federal News Network, the Office of Personnel Management released guidance for agencies to let employees telework on a limited basis, if they seek a reasonable accommodation on religious grounds. OPM’s guidance states “agencies are strongly encouraged, where feasible, to consider telework as a reasonable accommodation for religious practices.” That includes sabbath holiday observance, scheduled prayers, services, meditation, fasting and other religious obligations.
Upcoming Events and Conferences
2025 Air and Space Summit
7/31/2025
Hilton-McLean | McLean, VA
Air and space defense is a critical component of national security, and it’s increasingly essential in the looming Great Power Competition era. With the increasing sophistication of threats, the need for advanced defense capabilities in the air and space domains has never been more urgent. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Defense Summit will provide invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, helping attendees understand the strategic importance of air and space defense and how to contribute to its advancement.
https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/events/2025-air-and-space-summit
2025 Navy Summit
8/26/2025
Hilton-McLean | McLean VA
The 2025 Navy Summit hosted by the Potomac Officers Club is a premier gathering of naval and maritime leaders to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. Navy. This exclusive event brings together top-tier Navy experts to explore innovative solutions, forge strategic partnerships and shape the future of naval operations. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the latest advancements in technology, policy and strategy as we collectively work to ensure a secure future and a ready naval force.
https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/events/2025-navy-summit
2025 Quantum Summit
8/27/ 2025
Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center | Reston, VA
Quantum technologies promise to transform national security with groundbreaking capabilities that also bring new risks. Today’s encryption is threatened by quantum computing, demanding urgent security upgrades and quantum-secure communication and automation-driven infrastructure to help federal agencies stay secure. At the core of this shift are efforts to develop quantum chips that can help secure the supply chain for defense applications. Join GovExec as we bring together top government leaders to discuss the state of quantum technology, the urgency of post-quantum cybersecurity, and the strategies shaping federal adoption. Experts will share how agencies are preparing for the quantum era and ensuring technological superiority in a rapidly evolving landscape.
https://events.nextgov.com/quantum-summit
Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2025
9/29/2025 –10/1/2025
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans, LA
Security threats are evolving and becoming more complex. Elevate your knowledge and technical capabilities at GSX to rise against this shifting landscape. Access expert-led education covering critical physical and cybersecurity topics. Discover state-of-the-art innovations, products, and trends transforming security. Find inspiration in keynotes from next-level thought leaders and world-class speakers. Go where the entire global security community converges to connect, collaborate, and meet tomorrow’s challenges head on.
About SE&M
SE&M Solutions LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Harrisburg, PA. We are experts in personnel security, continuous vetting, Trusted Workforce 2.0 (TW2.0) policies, processes, and information technology. We offer professional services and IT support including staff augmentation, consulting, planning and implementation for clients in the federal, state, local and commercial sectors. We are at the forefront of quantum technology, enabling quantum integration for clients. For more information, contact SE&M at info@semsolutionsllc.com.