Author Archive

Lauren C. Williams

Senior Editor

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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Defense Systems

One way the Air Force is filling electronic-warfare gaps: hiring interns

The 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing is working with universities to recruit young talent for now—and maybe later.

Defense Systems

Cyber on the battlefield is about more than IT

The Army successfully tested zero trust in a classified environment during a multinational military exercise.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 133: Unpacking the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber conference

In this episode, we review several things we learned at the Air & Space Forces Association's biggest annual event.

Defense Systems

Can you hear me now? Mesh networks could become standard at the U.S. border

Customs and Border Protection will spend $99 million on technologies to make it easier to communicate where there’s no signal.

Defense Systems

Space Force needs more cyber operators for weapons, chief says

Protecting them is a primary concern for Space Operations Command, says its vice commander.

Defense Systems

Budget delays could ‘slow roll’ Air Force’s digital infrastructure plans

In early 2024, the service plans to launch cloud-based command and control technologies in three undisclosed locations.

Defense Systems

The Navy is drowning in data it doesn’t know what to do with

The service’s principal cyber advisor got candid about data struggles as it looks to adopt AI in operational plans.

Defense Systems

Pentagon CIO prepares to take over 5G network portfolio

The plan is to build on existing test programs, like smart warehouses, while exploring new territory.

Defense Systems

NSA ‘recently completed’ AI strategic study, director says

Outgoing chief Gen. Paul Nakasone looks back, forward, and pushes for Sec. 702 authority.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s innovation arm has a new chief and a new strategy

‘DIU 3.0,’ now under SecDef review, aims to embed teams in the combatant commands.

Defense Systems

Job 1 for makers of anti-drone defenses: write good software

Pentagon buyers are looking for control systems that are reliable, easy to use, and simple to update.

Defense Systems

1/4 of DOD cyber jobs are vacant. Here's the plan to fill them

Civilian cyber workers are the main challenge, as it's harder for DOD to attract and keep them.

Threats

How the US is using open-source intel to track Russia's war in Ukraine

Analysts are moving beyond who-what-when-where to "really focusing on the why,” a senior defense intelligence official said.

Defense Systems

Dealing with defense travel is a one-way ticket to frustration for lawmakers

Tempers flared as lawmakers demanded information on Pentagon’s scuttled $374 million deal for a new travel booking and reimbursement system.

Defense Systems

Inside the fight over alternative sub fuel

A handful of lawmakers want the Navy to research low-enriched uranium fuel to reduce nuclear weapons proliferation. But funding bans are on the horizon.

Defense Systems

Get serious about data, US intelligence leaders tell agencies

ODNI’s new three-year plan aims to turn data-gathering from afterthought to key asset.

Defense Systems

Intel leaders, White House argue for keeping digital spy powers

Agencies have less than six months to convince a divided Congress to re-up an expiring warrantless surveillance authority.