Policy
For Biden, Tough Talk on Saudi Arabia Meets Reality
‘We don't yet know exactly’ how Biden will change things, says CENTCOM’s Gen. McKenzie.
Defense Systems
State Department can't justify opening cyber office, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office says the State Department failed to justify the scope and organizational placement of a new office that was greenlighted in the final days of the Trump administration.
Defense Systems
In search of a smarter Einstein
If the Einstein intrusion detection system was unlikely to have detected the malware that was delivered via the SolarWinds Orion update, how can it be fixed?
Defense Systems
Navy report looks to combat racism and sexism in the ranks
The Navy's Task Force One Navy report looks to STEM training, recruitment, grooming policies as paths to encourage diversity and inclusion.
Defense Systems
MilCloud adds Amazon Web Services
The Defense Department’s MilCloud 2.0 contract now gives Defense Information Services Agency and other non-combat DOD agencies access to cloud services from Amazon Web Services.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers press NSA for answers about 2015 Juniper hack
A group of Democratic lawmakers is calling on the NSA to explain its part in developing a flawed encryption algorithm that was used and subsequently exploited through Juniper Network's security products, citing the supply chain hack involving SolarWinds Orion.
Defense Systems
Pentagon awards OTA for online AI marketplace
The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center awarded an other transaction agreement to build and manage an online environment for rapid procurement of AI capabilities.
Defense Systems
Hicks talks budget and CMO duties in confirmation hearing
Kathleen Hicks, President Biden's pick to serve as deputy secretary of defense, pressed for new incentives to improve DOD's business reform efforts at her confirmation hearing.
Defense Systems
Cyber Guard bill gets new life
The bill would allow states to use the National Guard for the purpose of bolstering their cybersecurity.
Defense Systems
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.
Defense Systems
Pandemic response drives DOD's sharp uptick in OTA spending
The Defense Pricing and Contracting Agency recorded more than $16 billion in other transaction agreements in 2020 in the Defense Department's response to the pandemic.
Defense Systems
Final rule, formal training orgs on CMMC could hit this summer
A final rule on the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard could debut as soon as this summer but implementation hinges on standing up a formal training system.
Ideas
How to Cut the US Presence in the Middle East
Asking the military to pursue the same goals with fewer resources will not work.
Science & Tech
Russia Has a Vaccine. The World Has Questions
Despite a promising clinical trial, Moscow’s record suggests a wait-and-see approach to a vaccine that the Russian military is already pumping into troops’ arms.
Business
Hicks Warns Against ‘Extreme Consolidation’ in Defense Industry
Kathleen Hicks, President Biden's pick to be deputy defense secretary, cruised through her confirmation confirmation hearing.
Ideas
Urgent Job Opening: US Navy Secretary
The chaos and uncertainty atop the sea service is undermining national security.
Business
Air Force Hunts for Ways to Use Not-Quite-Ready Tankers
We’re “making lemonade out of lemons,” Air Mobility Command says.
Threats