People

DOD updates job qualifications for cyber workers

Defense’s updated plan focuses on role-specific requirements and comes as the agency’s cyber workforce strategy is slated for imminent release.

Defense

Defense companies aren’t seeking reprieve from inflation … yet 

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the department has not received an “influx” of equitable adjustment requests.

Cybersecurity

Closing the CMMC training gaps

Look for trainers working on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to realign their efforts to support recent changes to the certification process in 2022.

People

NDAA requires DOD to report on prospects for a ‘cyber academy’

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) says these reports could inform potential legislation to establish an academy to educate cyber workers for government modeled after military service academies.

Modernization

JWCC is not a cloud ‘competition’

The Pentagon’s latest multi-cloud effort , the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability program, could change how the department buys enterprise services, according to a top defense IT official.

People

What’s next for security clearance reform?

Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.

Modernization

Grady talks spectrum, cyber concerns in nomination hearing

Adm. Christopher Grady told senators that Defense Department moves to free up swaths of spectrum would have consequences when it comes to operations, training, and readiness.

Modernization

Pentagon adds new top AI role

The Pentagon is creating a new position to lead its artificial intelligence efforts across the enterprise.

Cybersecurity

Cyber in the 2022 defense bill

As has been the case for the past few years, cyber governance provisions were featured in this year's must-pass defense policy bill moving through Congress, but a bipartisan breach notification measure was dropped from the bill -- to the chagrin of its supporters.

People

NDAA requires new job data, software job series

The House-passed compromise NDAA also has other workforce provisions, including a change to the probationary period for civilian feds at DOD and paid parental bereavement leave for federal employees.

Digital Government

House passes NDAA compromise bill

The bill, which supports $778 billion for national security spending, was filed in lieu of a traditional conference report and combines the text passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee in July and the House bill passed in September.

Modernization

Accounting for software in weapons systems

The Defense Department is still trying to figure out the best way to buy software and track that spending. But could the answer be in separating out those costs from the hardware required in major acquisitions?

Acquisition

What’s next for CMMC

After the Defense Department revamped cybersecurity standards for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program’s accreditation body is making adjustments.

Modernization

Could faster buying undermine electronic warfare prep?

Some measures that protect weapons systems against electronic vulnerabilities can be “pushed aside” during rapid acquisitions, according to David Tremper, the electronic warfare director for the Defense Department.

Modernization

SATCOM shift to Space Force stalled under CR

The U.S. Space Force’s plans to absorb all of the military’s satellite communications, including nearly 700 uniformed personnel from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, is delayed along with the rest of the military’s appropriation as Congress preps for a second continuing resolution in fiscal year 2022.

Acquisition

Biden taps former USAF buyer to lead DOD acquisition

The White House has nominated former Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante to be the Pentagon’s top buyer.

Cybersecurity

Military service principal cyber advisors take root

Congress established service level principal cyber advisors in the 2020 defense policy bill. FCW sat down with the Army and Navy PCAs to get a sense of what their priorities have been in the past year.

Modernization

DOD names cloud contenders in JEDI replacement

The Defense Department has invited Google and Oracle to compete for its massive warfighter cloud program alongside Amazon and Microsoft.

Acquisition

IT controls still a pain point, DOD audit finds

The Defense Department failed to get a clean opinion in its fourth annual financial audit, highlighting ongoing struggles to accurately account for IT systems.