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
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Defense Business Brief: AFA wrap; 155mm production to rise; F-35 moves; and more...
- Lauren C. Williams and Audrey Decker
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Ben Watson, Marcus Weisgerber, Lauren C. Williams and Audrey Decker
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
NSA ‘recently completed’ AI strategic study, director says
Outgoing chief Gen. Paul Nakasone looks back, forward, and pushes for Sec. 702 authority.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Doing business with the Navy shouldn’t be ‘artificially hard,’ research chief says
Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus said making contracting easier is a top priority.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Tuberville’s protest is putting stress on units, Pentagon says
The number of unfilled positions has risen to about 300.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Caitlin M. Kenney and Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams