Cybersecurity
First set of CMMC certification orgs emerge
The Defense Department's unified cybersecurity program is making gains with its first tranche of certifying bodies, but assessments for defense contractors are a ways off.
Modernization
JADC2 needs to be Pentagon's 'big bet,' Flournoy says
Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, said Joint All Domain Command and Control "needs to be one of the big bets that the Pentagon places" if it wants to be prepared for the future of warfare.
Cybersecurity
CMMC body hires ex-CISA deputy as first CEO
The governing body in charge of implementing the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program has hired Matthew Travis, former CISA deputy director, as new CEO.
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.
People
What's at stake with Biden's Pentagon vacancies?
The Biden administration has several Defense Department vacancies to fill in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and military departments. But what does that mean for personnel and the 2022 budget?
Digital Government
Fight over defense dollars looms in House
The House Armed Services Committee's top Republican, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), is pushing for a 3% to 5% increase in the topline 2022 defense budget and wants education and training for cybersecurity and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to top the panel's agenda.
Modernization
Does DOD have the leadership it needs on electromagnetic spectrum strategy?
Joseph Kirschbaum, the director of defense capabilities and management, for the Government Accountability Office, told Congress that having leadership buy-in is the difference between a successful strategy and a failed one.
Cybersecurity
CMMC board preps for staff changes
The body in charge of standing up and running the Defense Department’s unified cybersecurity standard is shifting its staffing arrangement.
Modernization
Pentagon needs AI at every leadership level, panel recommends
Robert Work, vice chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, called for DOD to implement a "top-down leadership" approach "to push integration of AI throughout the force."
Cybersecurity
CMMC board's training lead resigns
Ben Tchoubineh, the CMMC accreditation body's chair for training and CMMC board member Nicole Dean, the chief information security officer for Accenture, have voluntarily resigned, FCW has learned.
Acquisition
New House task force focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force, said "sometimes the marketplace just doesn't get it right and we, without intending to, create real national security vulnerabilities for ourselves."
Acquisition
HASC chair flips spending debate to acquisition reform
House Armed Services Committee chair, Adam Smith's response to Republicans' call for at least a 3% topline defense budget increase is: "How you spend the money is what matters."
Cybersecurity
Vague contract language hampers cybersecurity for weapons systems, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office found that missing or vague cybersecurity requirements in acquisitions contracts for weapons systems often led to DOD getting a system that didn't meet its security needs.
Acquisition
Senate votes to extend pandemic relief for contractors
A Senate amendment to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act extends pandemic relief authorities to government contractors for paid leave through the end of the fiscal year.
Acquisition
House GOP urges increase in defense spending
House Republicans are urging the Biden administration to seek an increase in defense spending in the upcoming budget request to better compete with China and "fill ongoing readiness gaps."
People
Republicans slam Biden's defense policy pick for past tweets
Colin Kahl, the Biden administration's pick to be the undersecretary of defense for policy, talked cyber and defense while dodging critiques on past social media posts.
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.
Modernization
Defense Innovation Unit marks 5 years of experimentation, growth
The Defense Innovation Unit issued 56 prototype other transaction agreements in 2020, according to a recent report, bringing the total number of OTAs issued to 208 since its inception in 2015.
Acquisition
Lawmakers, contractors look to extend COVID aid to industry
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are pushing for legislation to extend reimbursements for federal contractors unable to work due to COVID-19 through Sept. 30.
People
Flat defense budget, cost-savings push seems likely for 2022
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, said military services should look for cost-savings and where reinvestments can be made.
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