Author Archive
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.
Defense
Space Force to bring data scientists, coders on board this summer
The military’s newest service branch is in the final stages of selecting a group of tech-forward personnel.
Defense
Defense companies aren’t seeking reprieve from inflation … yet
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the department has not received an “influx” of equitable adjustment requests.
Defense
IARPA previews busy research season
The agency’s long tech wish list includes capabilities that can predict human movement and new computing architectures to crunch its mountain of data.
Cybersecurity
CMMC assessments could resume in January
The governing body responsible for implementing the Defense Department’s unified cybersecurity program for contractors expects security procedures for authorized third party assessors to start back up in early 2022. But DOD has the final say on the timeline.
IT Modernization
How the Army is embracing telework-friendly tech
The Army is expanding its use of bring-your-own devices through a pilot program that’s expected to initially focus on National Guard and Reserve components as it rolls out Microsoft 365.
Acquisition
DISA done with MilCloud 2.0
The program, which has a contract set to expire in May 2022, was designed to help DOD users from the military services and combatant commands leverage commercial cloud services.
Cybersecurity
Senate passes 2022 defense authorization bill
The Senate passed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, 88-11, authorizing $740 billion for Defense Department spending, and $28 billion for other national security programs.
IT Modernization
JWCC is not a cloud ‘competition’
The Pentagon’s latest multi-cloud effort , the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability program, could change how the department buys enterprise services, according to a top defense IT official.
Cybersecurity
How cyber gray zone conflict can shape conventional war
As gray zone conflict becomes the norm, the intelligence community may have to make some changes to adapt.
IT Modernization
Grady talks spectrum, cyber concerns in nomination hearing
Adm. Christopher Grady told senators that Defense Department moves to free up swaths of spectrum would have consequences when it comes to operations, training, and readiness.
IT Modernization
Pentagon adds new top AI role
The Pentagon is creating a new position to lead its artificial intelligence efforts across the enterprise.
Cybersecurity
Cyber in the 2022 defense bill
As has been the case for the past few years, cyber governance provisions were featured in this year's must-pass defense policy bill moving through Congress, but a bipartisan breach notification measure was dropped from the bill -- to the chagrin of its supporters.
House passes NDAA compromise bill
The bill, which supports $778 billion for national security spending, was filed in lieu of a traditional conference report and combines the text passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee in July and the House bill passed in September.
IT Modernization
Accounting for software in weapons systems
The Defense Department is still trying to figure out the best way to buy software and track that spending. But could the answer be in separating out those costs from the hardware required in major acquisitions?
Acquisition
What’s next for CMMC
After the Defense Department revamped cybersecurity standards for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program’s accreditation body is making adjustments.
IT Modernization
Could faster buying undermine electronic warfare prep?
Some measures that protect weapons systems against electronic vulnerabilities can be “pushed aside” during rapid acquisitions, according to David Tremper, the electronic warfare director for the Defense Department.
IT Modernization
SATCOM shift to Space Force stalled under CR
The U.S. Space Force’s plans to absorb all of the military’s satellite communications, including nearly 700 uniformed personnel from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, is delayed along with the rest of the military’s appropriation as Congress preps for a second continuing resolution in fiscal year 2022.
Acquisition
Biden taps former USAF buyer to lead DOD acquisition
The White House has nominated former Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante to be the Pentagon’s top buyer.
Cybersecurity
Military service principal cyber advisors take root
Congress established service level principal cyber advisors in the 2020 defense policy bill. FCW sat down with the Army and Navy PCAs to get a sense of what their priorities have been in the past year.
IT Modernization