Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Senior Editor

Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for FCW and Defense Systems, covering defense and cybersecurity.
Prior to joining FCW, Williams was the tech reporter for ThinkProgress, where she covered everything from internet culture to national security issues. In past positions, Williams covered health care, politics and crime for various publications, including The Seattle Times.
Williams graduated with a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware. She can be contacted at lwilliams@fcw.com, or follow her on Twitter @lalaurenista.
Click here for previous articles by Wiliams.
Emerging Tech
IARPA Researchers Want Immersive, 3D Imagery for Training and Simulation
The project seeks software and applications to enhance the intelligence community’s surveillance images.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
The Pentagon Should Keep Better Tabs on IT Cybersecurity, Supply Chain Risks, GAO Says
The findings come as the Defense Department continues to increase its investment in information technology and cybersecurity year over year—a trend that could likely mean more scrutiny.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
Lack of Space National Guard Could Hurt Training, Recruiting
National Guard directors are worried about losing key talent for space capabilities without the creation of a specified guard and reserve component.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Want to Know How Much Bad Software Costs DOD
When the House Armed Services Committee begins its markup process of the annual defense authorization bill on June 8, look out for a provision asking the Pentagon to account for wasted money and lost productivity caused by poorly performing software.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
How the Pentagon Plans to Manage Inflation Costs in Contracts
The Defense Department urged contracting officers to "be mindful" of the varying impacts of inflation and "limit the scope" of equity pay adjustment clauses, according to new guidance.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
How ‘Cultural Artifacts’ Impede DOD's Ability to go Big on AI
Pushing AI to the battlefield to help commanders make more informed decisions also means confronting the Defense Department’s worst enemy: the budget process.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
DOD to Debut Virtual Desktops for Certain Highly Classified Programs
The effort, which sunsets "Chinstrap" desktop hardware, has been a key priority in the Pentagon's CIO shop.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Pentagon Wants to Take the Time to Get Major Cloud Awards 'Right,' CIO Says
John Sherman, DOD's chief information officer, told a congressional committee that while "urgency" is needed to move the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract along so is taking the time to "get this right."
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Pentagon Closing in on 'Ethical' AI Implementation
The Defense Department released guidance for using AI responsibly last year.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
The Pentagon Wants to Prevent Personnel Data Tracking, Breaches
The Defense Department's innovation shop is looking for commercial solutions that can help better protect personnel data.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Senator Not Sold on Army’s $22 Billion Bet on IVAS
In response, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told senators she was "pretty comfortable" with the program's progress and said she didn't agree with elements of a critical oversight report.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Pentagon Still Not Taking Full Advantage of Rapid Acquisition Authorities, Former Official Says
Ellen Lord, the former undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment during the Trump administration, told senators "strong leadership" was needed to fully embrace rapid acquisitions policies.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
The military's 5G capabilities could be stale by the time they're fielded
The Navy's chief digital innovation officer, Michael Galbraith, said when it comes to 5G, his biggest concern after security is "time to market."
- By Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
U.S. Space Systems See 'Dramatic' Spike in Risks Amid Global Competition
Officials from the Defense Intelligence Agency said there's been a steep increase in the pace and scope of operations since 2019 primarily from China and Russia.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Warren Presses Defense Secretary on Wasteful Contractor Spending
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said adding to the Pentagon's topline for 2023 to account for inflation would just invite "defense contractors to pick taxpayers' pockets."
- By Lauren C. Williams
IT Modernization
Air Force software factory looks to unleash 'chaos' on civilian IT shops
The Kessel Run group is currently developing a playbook that would make it easier for organizations across the federal government to adopt engineering and security best practices.
- By Lauren C. Williams
IT Modernization
Pentagon’s Effort to Supply Departmentwide Cloud Capabilities is Delayed, Again
Officials say they essentially underestimated how long it would take to review plans from the four cloud service providers.
- By Brandi Vincent and Lauren C. Williams
Emerging Tech
The IC's 4-year Emerging Tech Investment Plan
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's investment strategy aims to make it easier for companies to connect with program managers.
- By Lauren C. Williams
CXO Briefing
Funding for DOD's Software Pilots Holds Strong in 2022
Future expansion could hinge on analysis that the strategy is working.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Cybersecurity
Russian Hackers Are Hitting Cleared Defense Contractors, Security Agencies Warn
The two-year campaign targeted sensitive but unclassified information stored by defense industrial base companies.
- By Lauren C. Williams