People

Pentagon pushes ahead with COVID vaccine mandate

The Defense Department will mandate Pfizer-produced COVID-19 vaccines following the Food and Drug Administration's approval, and other agencies are expected to follow.

Acquisition

Can DOD make buying software easier?

FCW talked with Tory Cuff, senior advisor for agile acquisitions, to get a better understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework's special software pathway and DOD's pilot experiment with "colorless" money.

Acquisition

CMMC board chief talks assessors, IT staff

Matt Travis, the CEO for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body, said proper training and IT access to the Defense Department's Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service (eMASS) application, which will house CMMC data, still needs to be finalized for the third-party organizations that will be charged with conducting cyber assessments.

Cybersecurity

Army looks to revise cyber operations doctrine

Brig. Gen. Paul Stanton, the commanding general for the Army's Cyber Center of Excellence, said the service was in the final stages of publishing a revised field manual on how it executes cyber operations.

Digital Government

Data and DOD's pivot from 'fight tonight'

The Pentagon is developing a tool that could help trace the impact of senior leaders' decisions down to the unit and years into the future.

Acquisition

Watchdog says contractor oversight was lacking in Afghanistan

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's newest report calls out the government's failure to oversee contractors as a source of waste, fraud and abuse.

Acquisition

DHS eyes CMMC model

DHS' Office of the Chief Procurement Officer issued a special notice Aug. 10, noting that it is looking for a way to check contractors' compliance with its cyber hygiene clauses released in 2015.

Modernization

Navy looks to build cyber resilience beyond RMF

The Navy wants to fortify its cyber resilience to keep pace with rapid software development needs, but changing workforce habits has to come first.

Cybersecurity

New Solarium report highlights policy strides, funding stumbling blocks

Much of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendations are "on track" to being implemented, but funding issues loom for some.

Cybersecurity

DOD looks for answers on GPS data spoofing

The Defense Department is looking for technology solutions to obviate the growing threat of location data spoofing targeting satellite-based systems.

People

DOD moves to mandate COVID-19 vaccines by September

The Defense Department plans to require COVID-19 vaccines for civilian, military and contractor personnel as early as September.

Cybersecurity

Inconsistent job coding may undercut DOD’s cyber workforce efforts

A DOD inspector general audit found that while the Pentagon has made strides, inconsistent job coding for civilian cyber work roles across filled and vacant positions may hinder recruiting and retention.

Modernization

Strategic Command to lead EMS training effort

The Defense Department is standing up a new office to improve expertise in electromagnetic spectrum operations under U.S. Strategic Command as part of a new implementation plan.

Modernization

Coast Guard updates cyber strategy with focus on 'mission platform'

The updated document aims to provide a clearer map for the Coast Guard's cyber priorities, including mitigating vulnerabilities in the maritime supply chain.

Modernization

Navy aims to tackle cross-domain data sharing in Project Overmatch

The Navy is hoping to clear network and data hurdles at the tactical edge with its answer to Joint All Domain Command and Control.

Acquisition

DOD could face $4 billion in pandemic reimbursement payments for contractors

According to a GAO report, the Defense Department may have $4 billion in eligible reimbursements for contractors under the CARES Act.

Acquisition

HASC cyber subcommittee pushes mandatory legacy IT audit in defense bill

The military services could be required to audit its legacy IT systems and software as part of a proposal to be considered in the 2022 defense authorization bill.

Digital Government

Hyten: Combat cloud needed to bolster collaboration with allies, partners

Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said building a combat cloud with correctly tagged data would allow service members, allies and partners alike to login from anywhere with their credentials and biometrics so the U.S. can take full advantage of the capabilities they have to offer.

Cybersecurity

Senate NDAA pushes for more domestic production, increased cyber authorities

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the 2022 defense authorization bill, calling for more cyber authorities, tech-favoring acquisition policies, and domestic production of critical materials.

Acquisition

Lawmakers push for new defense supply chain strategy

The House Armed Services Committee's Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force issued recommendations that push for domestic production and better government oversight of supply chain vulnerabilities.