Cybersecurity

House Armed Services Chair Calls for Focus on Information Systems Over Arbitrary Metrics

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., suggested a 500-ship Navy is inadequate if adversaries are able to disrupt command and control systems.

Digital Government

Bill Aims to Counter China with International Technology Partnership

The bill aims to imbue democratic values in technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G.

Cybersecurity

Biden’s Pick For Defense Policy Chief Outlines Cyber Deterrence Position

In a contentious nomination hearing, Colin Kahl called for a whole-of-government approach to technology.

Emerging Tech

DARPA, In-Q-Tel to Help 150 Research Teams Take Tech from Labs to Production Over the Next Five Years

The expansion of the Embedded Entrepreneurship Initiative also marks its transition to a formalized program. 

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker SolarWinds Concerns Spill Over in Week of Defense Hearings

In multiple hearings, lawmakers sought solutions to pressing technology-based security issues.

Emerging Tech

Defense Innovation Unit Initiated 35% More Projects in 2020

The group initiated 23 new projects and transitioned 11 capabilities to Defense Department partners last year, according to its annual report. 

Artificial Intelligence

U.S. Unprepared for AI Competition with China, Commission Finds

Retaining any edge will take White House leadership and a substantial investment, according to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Digital Government

Customs and Border Protection Behind on Deploying Border Surveillance Tech, DHS OIG Finds

But President Joe Biden’s new immigration bill calls for more “smart technology” at the border.

Modernization

DISA Tech Programs Paved the Way for DOD Mass Telework

Two Defense Department officials pointed to culture as a key challenge counteracting innovation.

Digital Government

Cultural Resistance Top Challenge Slowing IT Modernization, Survey Finds

Air Force Chief Information Officer Lauren Knausenberger said she’s changing minds by demonstrating utility to the warfighter.

Digital Government

Microsoft President Calls for Bid Protest Reforms

As the company awaits a decision on the embattled JEDI contract, its president told senators the contract-dispute process could use streamlining.

Modernization

How the Defense Department's MilCloud 2.0 Effort is Evolving

The number of workloads in milCloud 2.0 doubled despite some defense agencies missing migration deadlines.

Cybersecurity

Marine Corps Looks for Insider Threat Monitoring Capability

And another Marine Corps application addressing a specific kind of insider threat—suicidal ideation—will be established as a system of records.

Digital Government

JADC2 Concept All About Moving Data, Air Force Chief of Staff Says

Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., said dialogue among services on data and the JADC2 concept should happen more regularly.

Emerging Tech

DARPA, Linux Foundation Partner to Advance 5G

A new agreement will create an open-source software ecosystem to support government technology research and development.

Modernization

DOD Secured Fair Prices Despite Rapid Shift to Mass Telework, Audit Finds

The department also was able to reduce cybersecurity risks as it bought IT products and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an inspector general report concluded.

Digital Government

How Commerce Department Data Efforts Moved from ‘First Gear to Third Gear’

Thomas Beach, the Commerce Department’s interim CDO, talked with Nextgov about how his agency’s data work has evolved from focusing on governance to deliverables.

Modernization

Army Command and Control System Must Be Modernized But Maintain Backward Compatibility

Leidos will handle an adjustment to the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System 7.0 that will ensure it can support JADC2 and sensor-to-shooter frameworks.

Artificial Intelligence

JAIC Seeks Test and Evaluation Services for Artificial Intelligence

A Joint Artificial Intelligence Center request for proposal is the first of two contracts designed to get Defense Department components ready to adopt AI technologies.  

Artificial Intelligence

Investments in Emerging Tech Will Become More Important As Defense Budgets Flatten, Northrop Grumman Chief Says

The defense contractor’s president and CEO also said she expects consolidation in the defense industrial base to continue.