People
DOD CMO boasts $11B in savings as Congress moves to cut position
The Defense Department has saved $11 billion in the past two years thanks to reform efforts, said Lisa Hershman, DOD's chief management officer.
Modernization
WH CTO to take over DOD's top research role
Defense Secretary Mark Esper names U.S. CTO Michael Kratsios to be acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering after Michael Griffin's resignation from that post took effect July 10.
People
Navy, Marines look to boost virtual ‘sailorization’ for recruits
Wwhile recruits are under restricted movement orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , the Navy and Marine Corps are using a distributed learning environment where lessons to recruits are pushed to wireless devices.
People
How DOD's executive exodus could affect tech modernization
Back-to-back resignations raise concerns about how things will be run without permanent leadership in key areas from policy to tech development.
Acquisition
Defense contractors pressure White House, DOD for more pandemic stimulus funds
Major defense company executives are pushing the White House and Pentagon for additional financial relief due to increased costs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Modernization
JADC2 tops Pentagon’s artificial intelligence efforts
The Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is focused on overlaying AI tools on the military’s mega information-sharing platform effort, called Joint All Domain Command and Control.
People
VA secretary touts department's telework, telehealth efforts
Secretary Robert Wilkie also discussed the electronic health care records rollout and VA's need to pay more for certain essential hires.
Cybersecurity
NDAA could require closer tracking of DOD researchers
A provision added to the House version of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act raised privacy concerns, but security considerations won out.
Digital Government
House panel advances NDAA with labor protections, spectrum rules
The House Armed Services Committee unanimously passed its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act; tech provisions include spectrum sharing restrictions targeting Ligado 5G networks and new artificial intelligence initiatives.
People
House panel advances measure to eliminate CMO
The Defense Department's number three job would be eliminated thanks to a late-add amendment to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
People
Congress weighs fate of DOD's chief management officer
The Defense Department's chief management office is, again, fending off political pressure to eliminate it.
Digital Government
Thornberry talks acquisition reform in 2021 NDAA
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) is hopeful that lasting change comes with his latest provisions in what is set to be his last National Defense Authorization Act.
Cybersecurity
Senate NDAA repeals protest pilot, seeks clarity on JRSS
Lawmakers in the Senate are running out of patience with the nebulous status of the Joint Regional Security Stacks effort and want to give new contracting authority to Cyber Command.
Cybersecurity
CMMC training registration opens, but implementation worries persist
The first cadre of DOD cybersecurity assessors is expected to graduate by early August, but concerns loom over Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.
Acquisition
Lawmakers skeptical of seaborne drone fleet
The House defense committee is looking to add some oversight for rapid procurement of unmanned vehicles and vessels, and wants more detailed plans on how the Army will use its newly developed augmented reality headset.
Acquisition
AI leadership restructuring, IT policy oversight on tap in 2021 NDAA
The House Armed Services Committee began marking up its draft of the 2021 defense policy bill with some focus on artificial intelligence efforts and oversight of IT policy.
Cybersecurity
NSA launches pilot program to secure defense contractors
The National Security Agency is testing a secure domain name system model to better secure companies in the defense industrial base, which houses much of the nation's weapons technology.
Modernization
DOD wants to overhaul its software development by 2025
The Defense Department wants virtually all of its new software initiatives to use modern software development methodologies, such as agile and DevSecOps, by 2025.
Cybersecurity
A look at how the IC is getting back to work
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed workers who are used to top-secret networks home. But as intel agencies begin bringing more personnel back, they'll have to contend with lingering anxieties.
Modernization