Cybersecurity

Space Force satellite communications contract gets nod for CMMC

A request for information for the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network and Global Xpress contract was amended March 31 to include requirements for the CMMC pilot program.

People

Air Force seeks 'ubiquitous connectivity' from telework to bases

Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's CIO, said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service had increased focus on telework and improving base connectivity.

Digital Government

Air Force Academy IT in dire need of upgrades, superintendent says

Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Air Force Academy’s superintendent, told Congress the academy’s accreditation was threatened by legacy IT.

Cybersecurity

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.

People

USAF chief looks to combat extremism in the ranks

To create a better environment for all service members, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force's chief of staff said leadership will have to lay out "what our expectations are for those who are to be a part of our force."

People

SASC gavel set to change hands

With Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) as the new chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democrats will set the tone on defense policy and budgets.

Cybersecurity

Software factories are new 'crown jewels,' Air Force official says

Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition chief, said the massive cybersecurity breach that's plagued several federal government agencies creates "a new kind of target for our adversaries" that must be protected.

People

Telework gets Air Force IT seal of approval

Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's deputy CIO, said IT satisfaction went up significantly once people started working from home.

Digital Government

Congressional leaders push back on NDAA veto threats

Defense committee leaders plan to vote on the annual defense bill without key items on President Trump's wish list.

Digital Government

USAF primed to launch new phase of data strategy

Eileen Vidrine, the Air Force's chief data officer, talks about department's priorities are, how they've changed this year and how the Defense Department's data strategy ties it all together.

People

What to expect from Joe Biden’s DOD

President-elect Joe Biden’s national security team is taking shape. FCW talked with experts to understand exactly what’s at stake for the Defense Department’s modernization efforts over the next four years.

Modernization

Making software more than 'IT thing'

Software modernization has a branding problem, and it's going to take more than the colloquial culture shift to speed up the Defense Department's adoption of modern tech capabilities, according to Deputy CIO Peter Ranks.

Acquisition

From weapons to workforce, digital centricity is the Air Force's new motto

Air Force leadership highlights the need for digitally fluent personnel and digital manufacturing during the 2020 Air, Space, Cyber conference.

Modernization

Kessel Run works through growing pains

The Air Force's deputy CIO, Lauren Knausenberger, said the military branch's popular software factory has been a "victim of its own success" as it navigates trying to keep the spark as it gets bigger.

Acquisition

Air Force looks to bridge 'valley of death' for small tech firms

The service's acquisition chief hopes to change how small businesses interact with the service through its innovative research program and eventually adopting the In-Q-Tel model.

Modernization

Air Force seeks proof of concept in latest JADC2 experiment

The Air Force's "internet of things" also known as the Advanced Battle Management System is headed into a massive experiment to iron out the complexities of data-fueled warfare.

Acquisition

Air Force acquisition chief wants to reshape defense industrial base

Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition chief, said the goal is to pivot away from the defense prime model and create a new industrial base that more easily allows tech companies to work with DOD and the commercial sector.

Cybersecurity

Essye Miller: The exit interview

Essye Miller, DOD's outgoing principal deputy CIO, talks about COVID, the state of the tech workforce and the hard conversations DOD has to have to prepare personnel for the future.

Modernization

The internal Air Force startup trying to drive mobile computing

COVID-19 and telework exposed the Air Force's lack of mobile capabilities. BESPIN is trying to change that, that one app at a time.

Digital Government

Army eyes Kessel Run model to boost software capabilities

The Army's chief technology officer, William Robinson, said the service is planning to emulate the Air Force's model to improve computing at the edge.