Defense Systems
Pentagon issues cyber tasking order in response to Exchange hack
The Pentagon's new order to its agencies and commands aligns with the recent emergency directive issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Defense Systems
We were promised jetpacks. DARPA looks to deliver
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking for ways individual warfighters can strap on a portable personal air mobility system to fly themselves to and from missions.
Defense Systems
DARPA picks teams to bring homomorphic encryption to life
Four research teams will work to develop a hardware accelerator and software stack for fully homomorphic encryption that can bring the speed of FHE calculations in line with similar unencrypted data operations.
Defense Systems
Senate votes to extend pandemic relief for contractors
A Senate amendment to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act extends pandemic relief authorities to government contractors for paid leave through the end of the fiscal year.
Defense Systems
Still more questions than answers on SolarWinds attack
At a recent hearing on the massive hack on SolarWinds' IT management software, witnesses explained that they are still unsure how widespread the attack was, how hackers corrupted the Orion software and what they intend to do with the information they’ve accessed
Defense Systems
Flat defense budget, cost-savings push seems likely for 2022
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said military services should look for cost-savings and where reinvestments can be made.
Defense Systems
DLA orders modular 3D printing pod
The rugged 3D printing pod would be up to 40 feet long and housed in a standard shipping container so it could be deployed directly to the field to manufacture parts in support of battlefield operations, disaster relief or other remote missions.
Defense Systems
Defense Innovation Unit marks 5 years of experimentation, growth
The Defense Innovation Unit issued 56 prototype other transaction agreements in 2020, according to a recent report, bringing the total number of OTAs issued to 208 since its inception in 2015.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers, contractors look to extend COVID aid to industry
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are pushing for legislation to extend reimbursements for federal contractors unable to work due to COVID-19 through Sept. 30.
Defense Systems
CIA nominee: Cyber threats are 'ever greater risk' for U.S. society
William Burns, the president's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, said the SolarWinds attack was a "harsh wake-up call" about the country’s vulnerabilities in both critical infrastructure and supply chains.
Defense Systems
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.
Defense Systems
White House plans executive action in response to massive breach
In the wake of a wide-ranging hack involving SolarWinds IT management software and other commercial products, the White House is planning executive action to address cybersecurity gaps.
Defense Systems
Tech exec to Congress: Supply chain hack took 1,000 engineers
The scope and scale of the attack as described by Microsoft President Brad Smith is in keeping with the attribution being made by public sector and private sector officials that the hack was perpetrated by Russian-sponsored actors.
Defense Systems
Microsoft calls for acquisition reform amid JEDI battles
Defense industry experts call on lawmakers to push for procurement protest reforms to enhance national security.
Defense Systems
DOD’s 5G-powered smart warehouse network kicks off
A private 5G wireless network is being installed as part of a multi-year initiative to create a smart warehouse reference design.
Defense Systems
Pentagon plans for spectrum policy changes, IT modernization
DOD Deputy CIO Frederick Moorefield says "static" policy remains spectrum's "biggest hurdle" -- something he hopes to change in 2021.
Defense Systems
GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending
As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.
Defense Systems
CISA looks inward to stop future supply chain attacks
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is exploring ways to better monitor internal systems’ communications for suspicious signals.
Defense Systems
Biden pledges international cooperation on cyber in speech
Biden addressed the global security forum for the first time as president last week when he called for the United States to cooperate with European allies on establishing cyberspace norms.
Defense Systems