Author Archive

Lauren Williams

Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for FCW and Defense Systems, covering defense and cybersecurity. Before joining FCW, Williams was the tech reporter for ThinkProgress, where she covered everything from internet culture to national security issues. Williams has also covered health care, politics, and crime for the Seattle Times and other publications. 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.
Infrastructure

DOD taps cloud contenders for JEDI replacement

The Defense Department has invited Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google and Oracle to compete for its massive warfighter cloud program.

Infrastructure

Coast Guard plans mobile access to law enforcement database

The Coast Guard is looking to give its enforcement personnel access to its safety and law enforcement database via mobile apps.

Infrastructure

Army data fabric to unify tactical, enterprise networks

The Army expects its common data fabric will allow it to easily send data back and forth from legacy and business systems to the tactical edge.

Cybersecurity

DOD launches 'continuous vetting'

In a partially automated process, continuous vetting checks a variety of data sources and flags employees’ concerning behavior or circumstances as part of the security clearance process.

Infrastructure

DISA restructures cloud office

The Defense Information Systems Agency has created a new office that combines its Cloud Computing Program Office with DISA's services directorate and ecosystem.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware threats calls for tough conversations

As ransomware attacks on U.S. public and private organizations increase, the federal government may have to have tough conversations with other nations, especially as the lines between nation-state and criminal actors blur.

Cybersecurity

Striking the right balance for cyber incident reporting

Information sharing is important when dealing with ransomware, but reporting requirements should not to overburden agencies or industry, CISA’s chief says.

Cybersecurity

DHS looks to CMMC for contractor security model

The Department of Homeland Security is taking a page from the Pentagon’ Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program as it looks to create a verifiable standard to ensure contractors are in compliance with its cyber hygiene clauses released in 2015.

Cybersecurity

Solarium progress report highlights security advances, challenges

While most of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendations are on track to being implemented, but lack of funding could potentially undermine some efforts, according to a recent the commissions’ 56-page progress report.

Cybersecurity

DIU seeks tech to spot GPS disruptions

The Defense Innovation Unit is looking for situational awareness of potential disruptions to global navigation satellite systems.

Infrastructure

US needs combat cloud to bolster warfighting collaboration

With an enterprise combat cloud service members, allies and partners could login from anywhere, allowing the U.S. to take full advantage of the warfighting capabilities they have to offer.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers advance cyber legislation

The Senate’s 2022 defense authorization bill and a number of House measures are addressing cyber authorities, domestic microelectronics manufacture, supply chain security and raising cyber awareness among the public.

Cybersecurity

‘Blockchain light’ may help Army ensure data trustworthiness

To make it easier for warfighters and commanders to trust the data they receive, the Army is testing a customized “blockchain-light” technology that helps verify the provenance of data without the compute requirements of traditional blockchain applications.

Cybersecurity

3D printing opens DOD to unnecessary cyber risk, IG finds

Because the additive manufacturing systems were incorrectly categorized as tools, rather than IT systems, they have not been adequately protected, according to DOD’s inspector general.

Digital Government

DOD’s data decrees aim to preserve military’s advantage

To transform the military into a data-centric organization, the Defense Department has laid out five "data decrees" to guide data sharing, storage and security.

Digital Government

Better acquisition data would improve DOD oversight

While better data would help the Defense Department more effectively assess investments and risks over time, according to a watchdog official, several challenges exist.

Infrastructure

Navy looks to business systems modernization to enhance performance, reduce costs

Moving off legacy systems and into the cloud will support digital transformation efforts, Navy officials tell Congress.