Ideas
DOD’s AI acceleration strategy
COMMENTARY | How does the Pentagon's new artificial intelligence strategy enable the military to adopt emerging tools?
Cybersecurity
US developed ‘non-kinetic’ cell ahead of Venezuela mission to push cyber operations
Officials said that cyber capabilities are expected to play a central role in future U.S. military undertakings.
Acquisition
Salesforce signs $5.5B contract with the Army
The vehicle will be open to the entire Defense Department and broadens access to the company’s artificial intelligence, data and cloud technologies over the next 10 years.
Acquisition
Pentagon launches wide 8(a) review, targeting billions in awards
Secretary Pete Hegseth said only contracts that can pass a "lethality" test will survive.
People
Katie Arrington departs DOD to rejoin private sector
CMMC's standard bearer is joining quantum computing company IonQ as its chief information officer.
People
Experts see NSA nominee’s Pacific experience as a boost to US cyber posture on China
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd currently serves as deputy commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
Artificial Intelligence
Grok is in, ethics are out in Pentagon’s new AI-acceleration strategy
Seven projects are to lead the charge to embed artificial intelligence ever more deeply in military affairs.
Ideas
The revolutionary new weapon in the Pentagon’s pocket — and why it matters now more than ever
COMMENTARY | The launch of comprehensive acquisition transformation will lift the burdens keeping U.S. companies from being as agile and responsive as possible.
People
Kirsten Davies sworn in as Pentagon CIO
In a September letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, more than 100 cyber professionals voiced support for Davies’ confirmation and said “she has built a reputation as a world-class cybersecurity executive.”
People
Senate confirms Ethan Klein to be fifth US CTO
In a sweeping nominee package, Klein was confirmed alongside Kirsten Davies to be DOD CIO and Pedro Allende to be DHS Undersecretary for Science and Technology.
People
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command
The nomination marks a turning point for the electronic surveillance and hacking teams that have been without a permanent leader for eight months.
Cybersecurity
Sen. Cotton urges top White House cyber official to protect open-source software
A letter from the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee cites previous Nextgov/FCW reporting about a potential Russian backdoor into a Defense Department software suite.
Cybersecurity
US charges former Accenture employee with misleading feds on cloud platform’s security
Danielle Hillmer, most recently employed with SentinelOne, allegedly concealed a cloud product’s noncompliance with federal security regulations.
Cybersecurity
Defense authorization bill includes billions for cyber, intelligence matters
The NDAA notably deviates partly from President Donald Trump’s national security strategy, which seeks some distance between the U.S. and Europe. It also makes a sweeping regulatory harmonization demand.
Artificial Intelligence
AI enhances Defense Logistics Agency’s end-to-end operations, CIO says
DLA Chief Information Officer Adarryl Roberts said accelerating Pentagon-wide adoption of AI tools is important because “we need to move at pace to keep up with our adversaries in China and Russia.”
People
A leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten NSA morale, operational strength
The signals intelligence giant has halted recruitment for its Legal Honors Program, two people familiar say, slowing inflow of top legal talent. Other long-term capabilities are at risk.
People
Over 100 cyber professionals call for quick Kirsten Davies confirmation as DOD CIO
Davies was nominated in May and is scheduled to testify on Thursday.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon research official wants to have AI on every desktop in 6 to 9 months
DOD's under secretary of defense for research and engineering said he's “excited” for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office’s new role driving research across the department.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Report: Russia-based Yandex employee oversees open-source software approved for DOD use
The package is listed inside Platform One’s Iron Bank, a vetted Defense Department software repository, people familiar say.
People