Defense Systems

Pentagon reassigns COVID policy response lead

The Defense Department’s chief for industrial policy, Jennifer Santos, who has been leading the organization’s production strategy for supplies needed to fight COVID-19, has been removed from her post.

Defense Systems

Why security clearance needs may dip as teleworking grows

Bill Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said the intel community’s carte blanche need for top-secret security clearances may dwindle due to expanded telework abilities.

Defense Systems

Air Force aims to make secure mobile identity management the norm

Jason Howe, the Air Force's chief technology officer and chief cloud architect for manpower, personnel, and services, said the pandemic has exposed DOD's need for better mobile security.

Defense Systems

Is an economic focus on earnings killing U.S. innovation?

The head of DOD's Defense Innovation Unit suggested that any technology race with China commands a dramatic shift in U.S. market strategies.

Defense Systems

Coronavirus constraints pose CMMC rule change delays

Social distancing requirements have delayed the public hearing needed for a rule change to enforce new cybersecurity standards for contractors.

Defense Systems

Can telework orders boost AI, tech recruiting?

Keeping telework capabilities could make it easier for DOD to hire AI scientists.

Defense Systems

DISA wants to scale web-browsing protection pilot

The Defense Information Systems Agency has expanded use of a web-browsing pilot that protects DOD’s networks via cloud-based internet isolation. Production is expected to begin this summer.

Defense Systems

Esper eyes phased reopen, more coronavirus stimulus funds

The Pentagon is eyeing a phased reopen and possibly more coronavirus stimulus funds to help offset costs to restock medical supplies and equipment used to fight the pandemic, the defense secretary said.

Defense Systems

Pentagon hopes small business engagement staves off 'adversarial capital'

The Defense Department is hoping steadily engaging small businesses will help shield them from shady foreign investments during the global COVID-19 crisis.

Defense Systems

Cyber and other transaction agreements

Other transaction agreements will be subject to the Defense Department’s unified cybersecurity standard, according to Katie Arrington, DOD’s chief information security officer for acquisition.

Defense Systems

HASC chairman: DOD doesn't need more stimulus money

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the House Armed Services Committee chairman, said the Defense Department doesn't need any more money from a future coronavirus stimulus bill.

Defense Systems

Pentagon plans to test all troops for COVID-19

Gen. John Hyten, vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said testing the entire force, including National Guard and Reserves, would take until summertime.

Defense Systems

Navy's future networks need rapid acquisitions, CIO says

Navy CIO Aaron Weis wants to rebuild the service's network architecture to look and function more like industry, but acquisition culture and structure slow progress.

Defense Systems

Marines to divest legacy weapons for tech-oriented future

The Marine Corps is willing to swap out tanks and cannons for a better, more agile, cloud based network available in the most remote environments.

Defense Systems

Essye Miller to retire as DOD top deputy CIO

The intelligence community’s CIO, John Sherman, will step in to the post of Defense Department’s principal deputy CIO in June.

Defense Systems

AFGE denounces budget targets in GOP defense bill

The American Federation of Government Employees issued a letter April 16 to Congress opposing parts of the proposed Expanding Acquisition Reform Act, which seeks to formalize DOD's zero-based budgeting process.

Defense Systems

COVID-19 outbreak may delay audits for DOD's cyber certification

The first audits for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard for vendors may be delayed up to a month.

Defense Systems

Navy speeds acquisition amid COVID-19 outbreak

Navy Acquisition Chief James Geurts said acquisition activities have sped up in response to the coronavirus crisis and helped the service pinpoint weak spots in the supply chain.

Defense Systems

Some of DOD's telework changes could be permanent

A new emphasis on telework at the Defense Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could change work culture at the Pentagon, officials said.

Defense Systems

DOD gets to work on Defense Production Act needs

DOD to issue $133 million in production contracts for N95 masks under the Defense Production Act.