Modernization

Army tests network security, cyber tools in war games

Army officials said the Joint Warfighting Assessment exercise demonstrated that while the Army was able to create and share data across a multi-partner environment in a multi-partner network, the constructed virtual environment had its limitations.

Modernization

DOD to send AI data teams to combatant commands this summer

The Defense Department wants to break AI out of the lab and send out teams of data and artificial intelligence experts in the next month to help combatant commands.

Modernization

DOD may be 'overly optimistic' with IT program risks, GAO says

The Government Accountability Office found that DOD often underestimated risks to IT programs compared to its own assessments.

Cybersecurity

Small businesses ask Congress to focus CMMC on primes and DOD

Jonathan Williams, a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm PilieroMazza, told lawmakers much of small businesses concerns could be assuaged if DOD and prime contractors shoulder the burden.

People

DOD watchdog says DDS director didn't mistreat employees

A probe found that Defense Digital Service Brett Goldstein did condone the use of unapproved encrypted communications apps and also identified discussion among staffers about programming a script to rig an online competition.

Modernization

Pentagon is 'actively' weighing JEDI options, Hicks says

Kathleen Hicks, the deputy defense secretary, said DOD is "very actively looking at our options" to fulfill the enterprise cloud needs and with a strategic decision "in the next month."

Modernization

Data sharing is critical for JADC2, but reciprocity is hard to enforce

It's going to take more than a new policy to achieve the Defense Department's ultimate goal of connecting every sensor and shooter through Joint All Domain Command and Control.

Acquisition

Army modernization under scrutiny amid planned budget cuts

Lawmakers worry the Army's modernization efforts could be undermined by a flat budget proposal for fiscal 2022.

Cybersecurity

Does the U.S. need a cyber force?

Gen. Paul Nakasone, the director of the National Security Agency and head of U.S. Cyber Command, told lawmakers that infrastructure deficits could prevent the creation of a service modeled on Space Force.

Acquisition

DOD's electronic health records rollout hits 30% completion

The Defense Department's electronic health records system rollout nearly a third complete with 42,000 active users across more than a dozen states.

Acquisition

First CMMC assessment organization approved

The accrediting body overseeing the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program announced the debut of the first organization authorized to assess defense contractors.

Cybersecurity

Space Force focuses on building a digital workforce

The U.S. Space Force is focusing on building its cadre of super coders amid a workforce boon with more interested applicants than available positions, according to the branch's chief of space operations.

Modernization

JEDI remains key to Pentagon's JADC2 dreams

The Defense Department has an official strategy for implementing Joint All Domain Command and Control, but it still needs an enterprise cloud capability to make it real.

Cybersecurity

Army rolls back short-lived IoT telework policy

The Army is "restaffing" the policy, which would have required teleworkers to turn off or remove smart devices, such as Amazon Echo speakers, from their remote workspaces.

Modernization

Air Force wants $800 million for enterprise IT as a service

The Air Force is looking to boost its enterprise IT services with capabilities that can support Joint All Domain Command and Control efforts

Modernization

Navy projects $133 million in business system reforms savings for 2022

The Navy claims it saved $4.2 billion through reform efforts for its fiscal 2022 budget request via business process and systems improvement and divestments.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers seek IG probes of telework cybersecurity

A group of House lawmakers are calling on the inspectors general of nine executive departments and the intelligence community to see what cybersecurity vulnerabilities may have arisen due to the mass increase of telework during the coronavirus pandemic.

People

White House nominates top Army career civilian official to be DOD's comptroller

The White House has nominated Kathleen Miller, the administrative assistant to the Army secretary, to be the Defense Department’s deputy undersecretary of defense (comptroller).

Acquisition

Biden's first budget ups cyber and tech spending; gives feds a 2.7% pay raise

The Biden administration released its $6 trillion fiscal year 2022 budget proposal on Friday, including $1.5 trillion in discretionary spending across federal agencies.

Cybersecurity

Tech can help, but clearance reciprocity is a policy issue

The backlog of security clearance investigations has continued to drop from a 2018 high of 725,000 to 200,000, but agencies continue to struggle with reciprocity issues.