Defense Systems
Republicans slam Biden's defense policy pick for past tweets
Colin Kahl, the Biden administration's pick to be the undersecretary of defense for policy, talked cyber and defense while dodging critiques on past social media posts.
Defense Systems
GAO: Vague contract language hampers weapons systems' cybersecurity
The Government Accountability Office found that missing or vague cybersecurity requirements in acquisitions contracts for weapons systems often led to DOD getting a system that didn't meet its security needs.
Defense Systems
Senate votes to extend pandemic relief for contractors
A Senate amendment to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act extends pandemic relief authorities to government contractors for paid leave through the end of the fiscal year.
Defense Systems
Flat defense budget, cost-savings push seems likely for 2022
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said military services should look for cost-savings and where reinvestments can be made.
Defense Systems
Defense Innovation Unit marks 5 years of experimentation, growth
The Defense Innovation Unit issued 56 prototype other transaction agreements in 2020, according to a recent report, bringing the total number of OTAs issued to 208 since its inception in 2015.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers, contractors look to extend COVID aid to industry
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are pushing for legislation to extend reimbursements for federal contractors unable to work due to COVID-19 through Sept. 30.
Defense Systems
AF Academy urgently needs IT modernization, superintendent says
Unless the Air Force can upgrade the IT infrastructure at the Air Force Academy, the school’s accreditation could be in jeopardy, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the academy's superintendent.
Defense Systems
Microsoft calls for acquisition reform amid JEDI battles
Defense industry experts call on lawmakers to push for procurement protest reforms to enhance national security.
Defense Systems
Pentagon plans for spectrum policy changes, IT modernization
DOD Deputy CIO Frederick Moorefield says "static" policy remains spectrum's "biggest hurdle" -- something he hopes to change in 2021.
Defense Systems
GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending
As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.
Defense Systems
Solving for DOD's AI education gap
Officials at the Pentagon's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center said the department needs to improve education to build up AI readiness while improving data collection and data standards.
Defense Systems
Pentagon watchdog flags cyber issues in DEOS, JRSS
The Defense Department's testing and evaluation body has serious cybersecurity concerns when it comes to using commercial cloud offerings and the embattled Joint Regional Security Stacks effort.
Defense Systems
DOD eyes CMMC-FedRAMP reciprocity by end of FY 2021
The Defense Department is working with the General Services Administration to work out reciprocity between the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.
Defense Systems
Space Force begins onboarding cyber specialists
The U.S. Space Force has begun transferring more than a thousand cyber professionals into its ranks as of Feb. 1 with plans to start recruiting talent for multiple career fields from across the military branches this year.
Defense Systems
New risks threaten defense industry's cybersecurity, report claims
Newly reported cybersecurity vulnerabilities inched past 17,000 in 2020, signaling worsening security in the defense industrial base, according to a National Defense Industry Association report.
Defense Systems
Army sees counter-drone tools for cooks, medics
The threats posed by the growing number of small drones make it imperative that counter-UAS systems can be operated by all service members.
Defense Systems
DOD orders leaders to address extremism
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directs commanding officers and supervisors to hold a "stand down" discussion on extremism in the next 60 days.
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
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