Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Senior Editor
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
Does TikTok need a new parent company? Senator mulls implications
The White House is pushing the Senate to pass a TikTok ban bill that swept through the House last week.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
State Department wants reliable news, internet connectivity in the Pacific
U.S. is funding journalism fellowships and undersea cable access in the region.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Today’s battles happen at the pace of software. The Pentagon needs to hit the accelerator
Experts tell lawmakers where the bottlenecks are.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
Pentagon eyes stockpile replenishment, funds to spur tech industry in 2025 budget
The request comes as the White House wrestles with government-wide and supplemental funding requests.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Biden, Pentagon urge Congress to pass national security funding bill
Congressional inaction is “problematic,” the Defense Department comptroller said.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Can IT restore Congress’ trust in the Pentagon?
The Defense Department needs a better way to share budget data, a new report urges.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
FBI: Prepare for an election year with fast-paced threats, powered by bad guys with AI
The technology could make the world’s best hackers even better.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Pentagon adds 'living inspection' to its cyber defenses
New assessment process adds automation, flexibility to threat detection, leaders say.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Army aims to cut 32,000 billets over five years, including 3,000 in special operations
Service leaders say they are also planning for other cuts if Congress fails to pass a budget or supplemental funding for aid to Ukraine and Israel.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Meet the German company developing sub drones that pass data with sound
Divers’ search-and-rescue missions could soon get assists from drone swarms.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Navy’s latest sea base is drone-ready
USS John L. Canley was designed to tackle a variety of missions, including special operations and counter-mine efforts.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Navy leaders want more code-loving sailors at sea
One wants to take ad hoc data science efforts and fold them into a formal training cycle.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
No phishing: Navy uses automation, data analytics to protect seagoing networks
10th Fleet is also working to help ships’ cyber defenders reach back to experts on land.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
Navy robot ships on a 15-year path to operating ‘at speed and scale,’ CNO says
Adm. Franchetti’s plans to compete with China include better networks, unmanned infrastructure, and a new robotics rating for sailors.
- Patrick Tucker and Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Don’t call it a slush fund: Pentagon’s top buyer says looser pursestrings will foster innovation
But some lawmakers and outside experts have their doubts.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Navy is building dashboards for its connect-everything effort
A conversation with Rebellion Defense about its new contract for Project Overmatch.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Pentagon may need machines to help stop insider threats
Humans can’t always pick up on the nuances of network behavior so there’s a need for secure, automated tools that can.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
China is winning the shipbuilding numbers game—and that’s a problem, INDOPACOM nom says
“We are not overmatched, but I don't like the pace of the trajectory,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Pacific Fleet.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
New DOD program aims to pollinate U.S.-made biotech
The goal is to explore military-grade, biologically-based solutions.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Pentagon’s IT agency is crafting its very own AI-chatbot
The Alexa-type bot would help answer simple queries like “how to get a new laptop,” the agency’s chief tech officer said.
- Lauren C. Williams