Author Archive

Lauren C. Williams

Lauren C. Williams
Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Before then, Williams has reported on several issues, including internet culture, national security, health care, politics and crime for various publications. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware.
Infrastructure

DOD taps cloud contenders for JEDI replacement

The Defense Department has invited Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google and Oracle to compete for its massive warfighter cloud program.

Digital Government

Army seeks to leverage native analytics for supply chain resilience

The Army wants to be able to use the data analytics already in its logistics systems to be better prepared for supply chain vulnerabilities.

Infrastructure

Coast Guard plans mobile access to law enforcement database

The Coast Guard is looking to give its enforcement personnel access to its safety and law enforcement database via mobile apps.

Infrastructure

Army data fabric to unify tactical, enterprise networks

The Army expects its common data fabric will allow it to easily send data back and forth from legacy and business systems to the tactical edge.

Cybersecurity

DOD launches 'continuous vetting'

In a partially automated process, continuous vetting checks a variety of data sources and flags employees’ concerning behavior or circumstances as part of the security clearance process.

Infrastructure

DISA restructures cloud office

The Defense Information Systems Agency has created a new office that combines its Cloud Computing Program Office with DISA's services directorate and ecosystem.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware threats calls for tough conversations

As ransomware attacks on U.S. public and private organizations increase, the federal government may have to have tough conversations with other nations, especially as the lines between nation-state and criminal actors blur.

Cybersecurity

Striking the right balance for cyber incident reporting

Information sharing is important when dealing with ransomware, but reporting requirements should not to overburden agencies or industry, CISA’s chief says.

Cybersecurity

DHS looks to CMMC for contractor security model

The Department of Homeland Security is taking a page from the Pentagon’ Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program as it looks to create a verifiable standard to ensure contractors are in compliance with its cyber hygiene clauses released in 2015.

Cybersecurity

Solarium progress report highlights security advances, challenges

While most of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendations are on track to being implemented, but lack of funding could potentially undermine some efforts, according to a recent the commissions’ 56-page progress report.

Cybersecurity

DIU seeks tech to spot GPS disruptions

The Defense Innovation Unit is looking for situational awareness of potential disruptions to global navigation satellite systems.

Infrastructure

US needs combat cloud to bolster warfighting collaboration

With an enterprise combat cloud service members, allies and partners could login from anywhere, allowing the U.S. to take full advantage of the warfighting capabilities they have to offer.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers advance cyber legislation

The Senate’s 2022 defense authorization bill and a number of House measures are addressing cyber authorities, domestic microelectronics manufacture, supply chain security and raising cyber awareness among the public.

Cybersecurity

‘Blockchain light’ may help Army ensure data trustworthiness

To make it easier for warfighters and commanders to trust the data they receive, the Army is testing a customized “blockchain-light” technology that helps verify the provenance of data without the compute requirements of traditional blockchain applications.

Cybersecurity

3D printing opens DOD to unnecessary cyber risk, IG finds

Because the additive manufacturing systems were incorrectly categorized as tools, rather than IT systems, they have not been adequately protected, according to DOD’s inspector general.

Infrastructure

DOD moves on from JEDI

The Pentagon plans to replace the $10 billion cloud contract with a new multi-cloud, multi-vendor contract called the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability.

Infrastructure

Slow MilCloud 2.0 migrations delay cloud security advantages, lawmaker says

The slow move to MilCloud 2.0 by Defense agencies is a "delayed realization of enhanced security, which is paramount in the light of most recent Colonial pipeline and SolarWinds cybersecurity attacks," Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) said.

Infrastructure

DOD 'actively' considering JEDI options, Hicks says

The Pentagon is actively working through alternatives for potentially replacing the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud program, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Infrastructure

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 IoT restrictions for teleworkers

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.