Acquisition
Mattis: Cloud deal not tailored for Amazon
On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sought to quell "rumors" that the Pentagon's planned single-award cloud acquisition was designed with Amazon Web Services in mind.
Cybersecurity
National cyber strategy could come by summer
The Pentagon is looking to enhance its cyber posture review to sync with the White House cybersecurity strategy, which could land in August, a top DOD official told Congress.
People
Defense Department names new CIO
Former JP Morgan CIO Dana Deasy will take over Defense Department IT in early May.
Digital Government
Is DOD overlooking its own innovators?
Silicon Valley has become synonymous with innovation, but government leaders might be missing out on what’s going on in their own labs.
Modernization
How will the CLOUD Act work?
The U.S. recently updated how it handles federal law enforcement data requests for foreign info stored by U.S. companies, but the full impact remains unclear.
People
Looking outside the Beltway for future tech talent
Leidos CEO Roger Krone is looking outside the Washington metro area for engineering and software hires.
Modernization
Deputy defense secretary says DOD will get its 'arms around' cloud
The Pentagon and industry base aren't on the same wavelength when it comes to acquisition reform and readiness, says the DOD's No. 2 official.
Cybersecurity
Marines take lessons from special forces in crafting cyber career path
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller said long-term stability is key: "Once you’re, in you’re in."
Acquisition
Why the Army is wary of other transaction authority
Undersecretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy said that while agile acquisition authorities are welcome, there's a risk in using them.
People
Navy axes CIO office in reorg
Navy Undersecretary Thomas Modly announced his new role as Navy CIO, collapsing the previous office that oversaw IT guidance for the Marine Corps and Navy.
Acquisition
USAF head praises OTAs, but warns on micromanagement
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told a Capitol Hill panel that she was pleased with new acquisition authorities, but said micromanagement is still slowing the pace of procurement.
Digital Government
Now's not the time for a Space Force, STRATCOM leader says
Following President Donald Trump's comments, U.S. Strategic Commander Gen. John Hyten said he loved the idea of a Space Corps, but America doesn't need one yet.
Acquisition
Why acquisition reform is about more than OTAs
The Air Force materiel commander says organizational culture matters more than novel procurement authorities when it comes to reforming cumbersome processes.
Cybersecurity
Military looks for ways to bring in cyber talent at better salaries
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said $37,000 may be sufficient for Hill staffers answering the phone, but is much too low for military cyber specialists.
Modernization
Service heads quiet on DOD cloud plan
At a D.C. defense policy event, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force skirted the issue of the Pentagon's centralized cloud procurement strategy.
Modernization
DOD details its plans for JEDI cloud contract
The timeline for a department-wide commercial cloud solution is aggressive, but Pentagon officials say deeper in-house expertise and better internal cooperation can get them to an award this year.
Cybersecurity
Air Force plans to convert IT staff into cyber force
The Air Force hopes to solve the cyber worker shortage by redefining traditional IT jobs, starting at seven bases.
Cybersecurity
Senators press DNI on Russian interference, cyber
Lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee continue to press the administration for a cyber warfare doctrine and action on Russian election interference.
Modernization
DOD scales back $950M cloud agreement
A DIUx-driven Other Transaction Authority agreement with REAN Cloud that had been DOD-wide will now be limited to U.S. Transportation Command, and given a much lower ceiling of $65 million.
Modernization