Emerging Tech

Pentagon Launches New Task Force to Study UFOs

The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force will hone in on unidentified aircraft that might pose a national security threat.

Cybersecurity

Number of Foreign Companies Within Defense Supply Chain Grew Over Past Decade, Report Says

Reliance on foreign suppliers in the defense industrial base rose—notably in packaged software and IT services—even as calls for reshoring increase, according to a new report.

Artificial Intelligence

The Pentagon’s AI Factory Gets a Powerful New Tool

The Joint Common Foundation aims to help the Department to standardize and secure its data and make it easier to find.

Artificial Intelligence

How Agencies Can Tackle Tech Talent Gaps

Strong brands and room for risk might pay off where government salaries don’t, federal officials said.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Wants Contractor Feedback on Rule Change that Bans Certain Chinese Firms

A provision of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act banning agencies from contracting with companies doing business with Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE now takes effect.

Modernization

Pentagon Requests More Time to Review JEDI Cloud Contract Bids

The Defense Department says it wants to further discuss Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ pricing.

Emerging Tech

DOD Releases Prime Airwaves for Commercial 5G Networks

Amid criticism, officials said 100 megahertz of federal midband spectrum will be transferred to commercial users at an unprecedented pace.

Artificial Intelligence

The Air Force’s Latest GPS Alternative: Earth’s Magnetic Fields

Officials just launched a public challenge to help create the artificial intelligence needed to turn the planet’s magnetic fields into readable maps.

Modernization

Pentagon Aims to Support More Sensitive Telework By Year's End

The Defense Department is also in “an active conversation” about sustaining telework post-pandemic, according to Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy.

Cybersecurity

CMMC Official Backs Light-touch Option for Continuous Monitoring of Defense Contractors’ Cybersecurity

The Pentagon’s certification program is looking for a way to keep tabs on companies during the three-year intervals between independent audits.

Emerging Tech

DOD, HHS Preparing for Large-Scale Manufacturing of COVID-19 Treatments

The agencies set up a phased OTA contract to test manufacturing capabilities at scale to ensure the industry is ready to meet demand as new treatments are approved.

Ideas

Shift Left: DevSecOps and the Path to Continuous Authority to Operate

DevSecOps, containerization and cloud native security methods are here, but streamlining their use is an ongoing challenge in government.

Cybersecurity

DISA to Release Zero-Trust Model This Year

Vice Adm. Nancy Norton said the Defense Department must take a data-centric approach to protecting its networks.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon’s Enterprise DevSecOps Initiative Presents an Ambitious Model for the Future of Software

The Air Force’s chief software officer provided insights into the operation of Platform One, a project at the beginning of what could be a profound transformation for cybersecurity.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon Seeks New Means for Detecting Underground Nuclear Tests

The Air Force put out a request for information regarding how to improve detection capabilities.

Emerging Tech

U.S. Marine Corps, Verizon Launch ‘Living Lab’ to Test 5G

Officials will explore defense applications of the maturing technology on a military base in California.

Ideas

Cyber Hygiene is the Key to CMMC Compliance Preparedness

The challenge is that many contractors don’t have full visibility into their organization’s network and security.

Ideas

Preventing Cyberattacks in Government Supply Chains

Stolen credentials remain the No. 1 hacking tactic used by malicious actors to gain access to “secure” networks and wreak havoc within organizations—and potentially up the supply chain.