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.
Cloud & Infrastructure
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.
Cloud & Infrastructure
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.
Cloud & Infrastructure
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.
Data & Analytics
Army seeks to leverage native analytics for supply chain resilience
The Army wants to be able to use the data analytics already in its logistics systems to be better prepared for supply chain vulnerabilities.
Cloud & Infrastructure
Slow MilCloud 2.0 migrations delay cloud security advantages, lawmaker says
The slow move to MilCloud 2.0 by Defense agencies is a "delayed realization of enhanced security, which is paramount in the light of most recent Colonial pipeline and SolarWinds cybersecurity attacks," Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) said.
Cloud & Infrastructure
DOD 'actively' considering JEDI options, Hicks says
The Pentagon is actively working through alternatives for potentially replacing the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud program, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.
Cloud & Infrastructure
JEDI remains key to Pentagon's JADC2 dreams
The Defense Department has an official strategy for implementing Joint All Domain Command and Control, but it still needs an enterprise cloud capability to make it real.
Cybersecurity
Army rolls back IoT restrictions for teleworkers
The Army is "restaffing" the policy, which would have required teleworkers to turn off or remove smart devices, such as Amazon Echo speakers, from their remote workspaces.
Cybersecurity
DOD expands vulnerability disclosure policy to public networks, IoT devices
The Defense Department is expanding its vulnerability disclosure program to cover all of its publicly available systems, including networks, frequency-based communication, industrial control systems and internet-of-things devices.
Data & Analytics
DOD works to simplify processes, improve data quality and automate
The Defense Department expects that better use of data analytics will help it improve its business operations and decision-making, optimize the workforce and support digital transformation as it moves on from legacy systems.
Cloud & Infrastructure
IG pushes DOD to update pandemic plans to support telework
Defense Department component agencies should ensure their IT and communications infrastructure can support maximum telework, according to a new report from the DOD inspector general.
Air Force scorecard to track increasing connectivity
The service is launching a scorecard so it can deliver ubiquitous connectivity and boost bandwidth and network readiness.
Cybersecurity
House task force digs into DOD supply chain vulnerabilities
The House Armed Services Committee has launched a task force to investigate defense supply chain vulnerabilities, foreign manufacturing concerns and other issues raised by the pandemic.
Cloud & Infrastructure
AF Academy urgently needs IT modernization, superintendent says
Unless the Air Force can upgrade the IT infrastructure at the Air Force Academy, the school’s accreditation could be in jeopardy, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the academy's superintendent.
Cloud & Infrastructure
DOD eyes CMMC-FedRAMP reciprocity by end of FY 2021
The Defense Department is working with the General Services Administration to work out reciprocity between the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.
Emerging Tech
Army sees counter-drone tools for cooks, medics
The threats posed by the growing number of small drones make it imperative that counter-UAS systems can be operated by all service members.
Cloud & Infrastructure
More delays could emperil JEDI, DOD suggests
If Amazon Web Services is permitted to litigate its bias claims, the lengthy and complex process “might bring the future of the JEDI Cloud procurement into question,” an information paper stated.
Cloud & Infrastructure
DISA pushes bring your own approved devices
Thanks to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing your own approved device (BYOAD) is now a high priority for the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Emerging Tech
DOD, NTIA pushing open 5G stack ecosystem
The Defense Department and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced plans to issue a challenge to accelerate development of software and telecom technologies for an open 5G stack ecosystem in support of DOD missions.
Cloud & Infrastructure