Modernization

Google wants a place on the next big DOD cloud contract

The tech giant says it has met key technical and security thresholds and is interested in a spot on the upcoming Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract, the multi-cloud successor to JEDI.

Acquisition

Who's going to volunteer for the new CMMC?

The Defense Department is looking for contractors to test out its revamped cybersecurity standard to protect unclassified but sensitive data.

Modernization

DOD awards $32.6 million in spectrum OTAs

The awards were made via an other transaction agreement through the National Spectrum Consortium. DOD has increasingly used OTAs to rapidly buy and fund prototype development as well as fielding new technologies.

Acquisition

Why DOD is so bad at buying software

The Defense Department wants to acquire emerging technology faster and more efficiently. But will its latest attempts to streamline its processes be enough?

Acquisition

DIU director: Look beyond reform to keep the technological edge

Mike Brown, the director of the Defense Innovation Unit, said the acquisition reform is needed for the requirements, budgeting processes.

Cybersecurity

DOD revamps controversial CMMC program

After a nine-month review, the Defense Department is replacing its original cyber compliance program for the industrial base with CMMC 2.0, putting more emphasis on self-assessment.

Cybersecurity

Zero-trust has a branding problem

A zero-trust approach to cybersecurity is intended to increase vigilance and minimize risk, but without the necessary context, the concept could raise discomfort or even hostility among federal workers.

Cybersecurity

White House pick for DOD CIO eyes tweaks to CMMC

The Biden administration's pick to be the Pentagon's tech chief wants to make it easier for small businesses to adhere to the Defense Department's cybersecurity standards and expand network optimization across the entire enterprise.

People

DOD looks to civilian workforce to close technology gaps

The Defense Department has been increasingly looking to recruit civilians to fill its tech talent needs, but some lawmakers are concerned that the mission of uniformed troops could suffer.

Digital Government

Coast Guard looks to take law enforcement database mobile

The Coast Guard's deputy commander for operations said the maritime service wants to break down its Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement system into a series of mobile applications.

Modernization

Biden's pick to lead DOD's weapons testing wants cyber assessments for commercial cloud systems

The Biden administration's pick to lead the Defense Department's operational testing, Nickolas Guertin, called the department's inability to conduct independent cyber assessments of commercial cloud systems "a severe limitation."

Modernization

Breaking down the Army's new network plan

The Army wants to be able to freely send data back and forth from its legacy and business systems to the tactical edge. Key to doing that is its strategy to unify tactical and enterprise networks and creating a common "data fabric." But will it work?

Modernization

Army CIO sets out to revamp IT policy

Army CIO Raj Iyer wants to overhaul IT policy so it doesn't stand in the way of the services' goal to become more technologically agile.

Modernization

One Army corps sees data education as the foundation of AI-enabled targeting

Expanding data education has proven to be foundational and a defining metric as the Army tests artificial intelligence to improve weapons targeting for the 18th Airborne Corps.

Cybersecurity

CMMC's Arrington sues DOD to clear her name

Katie Arrington, who has been off the job since May, is suing the Department of Defense to get resolution on her personnel case.

Acquisition

DOD could get new software, sustainment tech oversight positions

Heidi Shyu , undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, wants to add new oversight roles for software and sustainment efforts.

Modernization

IT, supply chain figure in agency climate plans

Federal agencies release climate adaptation and resilience plans, many of which feature new initiatives to combat current and future risks to critical infrastructure and information technology.

Acquisition

IT spend expected to trend up, acting DOD CIO says

Rising IT and cyber budgets may lay ahead as the Defense Department moves forward with implementing zero trust architecture and begins relying more on artificial intelligence.

People

DOD personnel now subject to 'continuous vetting'

Defense and military personnel are now a part of an automated "continuous vetting" program that will flag concerning behavior or circumstances as part of the security clearance process.

Acquisition

Nominee to lead USAF acquisition names software, IT as top priorities

Improving how the service acquires software and IT systems, while making DevSecOps the norm ranks among the top priorities for Andrew Hunter, the White House nominee to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.