Author Archive

Lauren C. Williams

Lauren C. Williams

Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Before then, Williams has reported on several issues, including internet culture, national security, health care, politics and crime for various publications. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware. She can be contacted at lwilliams@govexec.com or follow her on Twitter @lalaurenista.

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Digital Government

Army seeks to leverage native analytics for supply chain resilience

The Army wants to be able to use the data analytics already in its logistics systems to be better prepared for supply chain vulnerabilities.

Infrastructure

Slow MilCloud 2.0 migrations delay cloud security advantages, lawmaker says

The slow move to MilCloud 2.0 by Defense agencies is a "delayed realization of enhanced security, which is paramount in the light of most recent Colonial pipeline and SolarWinds cybersecurity attacks," Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) said.

Infrastructure

DOD 'actively' considering JEDI options, Hicks says

The Pentagon is actively working through alternatives for potentially replacing the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud program, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Infrastructure

JEDI remains key to Pentagon's JADC2 dreams

The Defense Department has an official strategy for implementing Joint All Domain Command and Control, but it still needs an enterprise cloud capability to make it real.

Cybersecurity

Army rolls back IoT restrictions for teleworkers

The Army is "restaffing" the policy, which would have required teleworkers to turn off or remove smart devices, such as Amazon Echo speakers, from their remote workspaces.

Cybersecurity

DOD expands vulnerability disclosure policy to public networks, IoT devices

The Defense Department is expanding its vulnerability disclosure program to cover all of its publicly available systems, including networks, frequency-based communication, industrial control systems and internet-of-things devices.

Digital Government

DOD works to simplify processes, improve data quality and automate

The Defense Department expects that better use of data analytics will help it improve its business operations and decision-making, optimize the workforce and support digital transformation as it moves on from legacy systems.

Infrastructure

IG pushes DOD to update pandemic plans to support telework

Defense Department component agencies should ensure their IT and communications infrastructure can support maximum telework, according to a new report from the DOD inspector general.

Digital Government

Air Force scorecard to track increasing connectivity

The service is launching a scorecard so it can deliver ubiquitous connectivity and boost bandwidth and network readiness.

Cybersecurity

House task force digs into DOD supply chain vulnerabilities

The House Armed Services Committee has launched a task force to investigate defense supply chain vulnerabilities, foreign manufacturing concerns and other issues raised by the pandemic.

Infrastructure

AF Academy urgently needs IT modernization, superintendent says

Unless the Air Force can upgrade the IT infrastructure at the Air Force Academy, the school’s accreditation could be in jeopardy, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the academy's superintendent.

Infrastructure

DOD eyes CMMC-FedRAMP reciprocity by end of FY 2021

The Defense Department is working with the General Services Administration to work out reciprocity between the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.

Emerging Tech

Army sees counter-drone tools for cooks, medics

The threats posed by the growing number of small drones make it imperative that counter-UAS systems can be operated by all service members.

Infrastructure

More delays could emperil JEDI, DOD suggests

If Amazon Web Services is permitted to litigate its bias claims, the lengthy and complex process “might bring the future of the JEDI Cloud procurement into question,” an information paper stated.

Infrastructure

DISA pushes bring your own approved devices

Thanks to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing your own approved device (BYOAD) is now a high priority for the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Emerging Tech

DOD, NTIA pushing open 5G stack ecosystem

The Defense Department and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced plans to issue a challenge to accelerate development of software and telecom technologies for an open 5G stack ecosystem in support of DOD missions.

Infrastructure

DISA takes on DOD cloud operations

The Defense Information Systems Agency will be absorbing the Defense Department’s Cloud Computing Program Office by the end of January, the agency's director said.

Cybersecurity

Software factories must be protected like 'crown jewels,' AF official says

The massive hacking campaign that breached multiple federal government agencies via Solarwinds software has Defense Department officials taking a closer look at protecting some of its more nascent efforts – namely, software factories.

Infrastructure

Navy riding herd on excess, complex IT systems

Operation Cattle Drive aims to round up old and weak IT systems, networks and applications and put them out to pasture.

Cybersecurity

Threats to election likely to extend for weeks

As the attack surface shifts from the voting process to certification of results, ransomware attacks and disinformation campaigns are likely to continue until all results are certified.