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.
Defense
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
Defense
Pentagon closing in on 'ethical' AI implementation
The Defense Department released guidance for using AI responsibly last year.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
Coast Guard graduates first class of cyber majors
A "handful" of newly minted cyber specialists will go to the Coast Guard’s Cyber Command headquarters for their initial assignment, the service's chief told Congress last week.
- By Lauren C. Williams
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Acquisition
Some defense-vetted prototypes could be fast-tracked to civilian agencies under new agreement
The Defense Innovation Unit signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Services Administration to make it "easier for federal agencies to access innovative technology solutions" that have been successfully prototyped by DIU.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
Hacking the Army's tech talent problem
As the Army trains its second cohort of technology professionals, the success of the software factory will hinge on how well they are integrated into the Army's mission.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
How the Army is battle-testing cloud computing
How the service plans to use cloud computing — from boardrooms to the battlefield
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
The Navy needs to do a better job finding the right job for its cyber specialists, officials say
Adm. Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, told the House Armed Services Committee the Navy has struggled with matching cyber talent with teams.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Cybersecurity
Why the USAF's IT chief is 'bullish' on open source
While there's no such thing as completely secure software, open source can make it stronger through the "power of the crowd," said Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's chief information officer.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Cybersecurity
Cyber assistance ranks high on National Guard requested services, chief says
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said cybersecurity assistance is "one of the most frequently requested things that we're seeing right now" thanks to nearly 4,000 cyber professionals, many of whom acquired their skills as civilians.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
Meet Kessel Run’s newest chief of staff
Alissa Bookwalter took charge in April and plans to focus a lot of her energy on building a remote-first, diverse, and equitable tech workforce within (and outside of) the Air Force’s popular software factory.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
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
Acquisition
HBCUs could be one key to improving equity in federal contracting and technology
From expanding contracting opportunities for small, disadvantaged businesses to building out a more diverse federal workforce, federal agencies are increasingly aiming to partner with minority-serving institutions to ensure their equity goals are effective.
- By Lauren C. Williams and Chris Riotta
Defense
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
Defense
Identity management beyond the CAC card
The Defense Information Systems Agency previewed plans to improve identity management, which includes expanding multi-factor authentication.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Acquisition
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
Defense
JRSS transition still a work in progress
The Defense Information Systems Agency isn't getting rid of the embattled Joint Regional Security Stacks just yet. But it is working on a transition plan as it brings Thunderdome online.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
The Army wants to re-do how it manages cyber risk
The service is working to stand up a risk management council in the coming month.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
DOD IG says Army could waste nearly $22 billion on augmented reality headsets
Program officers failed to set baseline levels to determine whether IVAS would meet user needs before procuring units, a misstep that could cost billions of taxpayer dollars, according to an inspector general report.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Workforce
DISA is gearing up for the 'technician of the future'
A hybrid cloud environment demands a workforce that understands the “full spectrum of technologies, even if they only specialize in one of them,” according to a lead defense cloud official.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Defense
DIU sets up shop in Chicago
The Defense Department's tech innovation arm is expanding with a new midwest office.
- By Lauren C. Williams