Acquisition

DOD, Coast Guard resume MHS Genesis deployment

After a pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defense Department's commercial health record installation program is back online. The Coast Guard is also transitioning to the new system.

Acquisition

CMMC countdown is on but are there enough assessors to do the job?

Katie Arrington, DOD's CISO for acquisition, said having enough assessors to do in-person audits of defense contractors is her biggest concern.

People

DOD fails third audit, but sees progress with cost-savings

The Defense Department boasts cost savings as it chases a clean audit. But using the $1 billion audit to find savings could be short-sighted.

Modernization

Making software more than 'IT thing'

Software modernization has a branding problem, and it's going to take more than the colloquial culture shift to speed up the Defense Department's adoption of modern tech capabilities, according to Deputy CIO Peter Ranks.

Acquisition

Cyber and AI investments could trend up in defense spending

Investments in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence efforts may increase even with flat defense budgets, but a worsening pandemic could dampen those projections.

Modernization

Dana Deasy's year of delivery

How 2020 became the Defense Department's best test case for digital modernization.

People

DOD's reform efforts could wane without consistent leadership

The Government Accountability Office found that leadership and organizational changes, namely the future of DOD's chief management officer role, could hamper long term reform efforts.

Cybersecurity

Election Day is over, but threats to voting systems remain

Cyber threats to election systems remain a concern for the Department of Homeland Security well into December throughout the vote counting process.

Modernization

AI meets cyber as Army tests tactical network protection

The Army recently wrapped up 11 weeks of testing more than 30 fresh-out-the-lab technologies that could be available in 2023.

Digital Government

DOD 'data commandments' are in the works

David Spirk, the Defense Department’s chief data officer, touted the need for data commandments and continuous education to make JADC2 a reality.

Cybersecurity

National Guard taking expanded election support role in 2020

The National Guard has increased its election support duties, especially when it comes to cyber, since 2018. This year guardsmen will be on the keyboards and, in some areas, at the polls.

Modernization

DOD could get permanent telework capability in 2021

The Defense Department wants to convert its key telework tool, the Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) environment, to a permanent capability by next summer.

Cybersecurity

New Army IT chief mulls risk management reform

Retooling legacy cyber processes, such as the risk management framework, is a top priority for Lt. Gen. John Morrison, the Army's new Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6.

Digital Government

Dems brace for internal defense budget fight

Defense committee leaders look for a cohesive national security strategy that supports reductions without hampering readiness, but progressives might seek steeper cuts.

Modernization

Ethics vs. compliance in AI

Tech experts warn against treating ethics as like just another box on a compliance checklist.

Acquisition

Real-world CMMC

FCW asked two contract lawyers what vendors really need to know about the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

Modernization

Spectrum on the battlefield

Managing electromagnetic spectrum will become increasingly important as the Army pushes for large-scale operations across domains.

Digital Government

Solving the Army's data talent problem

The Army needs to develop specific skill sets and retool or retrain existing workforce, said Mark Gorak, the director of people analytics for the Assistant Secretary of the Army Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

Digital Government

How the Army's new pay system upgrade could improve talent management

The Army is planning to field an app-friendly human resources system that could hold the data needed to improve its workforce.

People

Army tests out augmented reality with training

As social distancing becomes the norm, the Army increasingly looks to virtual training.