Defense Systems

House passes NDAA with TikTok ban

The House of Representatives passed a defense bill for 2021 that authorizes $731.6 billion in defense spending, includes cyber, workforce, acquisition provisions and a ban on the popular social media app Tik Tok on government equipment.

Defense Systems

Army re-orgs tech directorate

The Army has a new strategic operations directorate under the department's management office, an organization said to be a "precursor" to the upcoming CIO reorganization.

Defense Systems

2020 election security is 'number one goal', NSA chief says

Gen. Paul Nakasone's remarks come as a group of former senior officials seek funds to counter the "extraordinary challenges" posed by coronavirus pandemic and foreign interference to state and local election administrators.

Defense Systems

Navy considers wearables for proximity tracking

The Naval Sea Systems Command is looking for wearable tracking devices so it can tell when staff members might have been exposed to a COVID-positive person at work.

Defense Systems

Army stands up its first software factory

Army Futures Command announced it has launched its first software factory at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. The entity is expected to hit initial operating capacity in early 2021.

Ideas

Four Functions the Intelligence Community Should Rethink

The pandemic and new challenges abroad require change.

Defense Systems

Army tech chief: CIO split was 'right decision at the right time'

Army CIO/G6 Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford said the move, which follows his retirement, will allow the new CIO to focus more on big data, cloud migrations.

Defense Systems

DISA leans in on zero trust

The Defense Information Systems Agency is teaming up with the National Security Agency to deliver the first zero trust reference architecture guidance later this year.

Policy

Expect More Wargames, Attention & Allies in the Arctic, Say Air and Space Force Chiefs

The first Arctic strategy of the Space Force era declares the region vital for US satellites and nuclear missile defenses — and in need of a lot of foreign help.

Ideas

US Air Force, Space Force: Here Is Your New Arctic Strategy

America’s most active services in the region have a four-part plan to support the National Defense Strategy.

Business

New CEO Wants Lockheed to Become a 5G Player

And Jim Taiclet wants the government to underwrite its new direction.

Threats

No Orders To Reduce Troops in South Korea Yet, Esper Says

With traditional U.S. deployments still under review, the defense secretary announced he hopes to visit China by year’s end.

Ideas

Tomorrow's Presidential Daily Briefing, By a Former PDB Writer

What must the president's morning threat assessments look like these days?

Policy

DHS’s Portland Stunt Could Undermine the Agency For Years, Former Officials Warn

"This is well outside the bounds of what the intent is of the federal protective services mission."

Threats

Foreign Disinformation Campaign Is Targeting Congress, Top Dems Say

Four House lawmakers are demanding an all-member briefing from the FBI.

Ideas

Force Won’t Much Slow Iranian Nuclear Progress, But Something Else Can

The historical record shows that diplomacy can do what force alone has not.

Threats

More Than 39,000 Federal Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID-19

Nearly 1% of all federal personnel have contracted the novel coronavirus, with cases spiking in recent weeks at many agencies.

Ideas

The US Is Out of Position in the Indo-Pacific Region

A truly joint approach is needed, and the Army has several particular roles to play.