Defense & Intelligence Policy, Business and Technology: i360 Gov

When May a Robot Kill? New Pentagon Policy Tries to Clarify

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:22:08 -0500

From GovExec: Did you think the Pentagon had a hard rule against using lethal autonomous weapons? It doesn’t. But it does have hoops to jump through before such a weapon might be deployed. An updated policy tweaks wording in a bid to dispel confusion.

Defense Logistics Agency to Shift Warehouse Management to Commercial Software

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:44:41 -0500

From NextGov: The Defense Department’s central agency for managing the military’s supply chain is modernizing its warehouse management technology and plans to move from government-built systems to commercial software.

Homelessness Among Veterans Has Been Cut in Half since 2010, VA Says

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:48:33 -0500

From GovExec:Homelessness disproportionately affects veterans, but the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that a variety of efforts to help veterans find housing has resulted in the rate dropping 11% in the past three years nationwide and more than 50% since 2010.

Defense Industry Decries Possible GOP-led Spending Cuts

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:47:05 -0500

From GovExec: Early efforts are beginning against possible Republican-led defense spending cuts as the clock ticks toward a fiscal showdown on Capitol Hill this spring.

Let’s Make It Easier to Share Top-Secret Data With Allies, Intel Leader Says

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:35:06 -0500

From GovExec: The Defense Intelligence Agency’s CIO wants to expand collaborative workspaces—and resist the urge to mark everything NOFORN.

Gillibrand Ditches Military-Services Style Cyber Academy Idea for DOD Scholarship Program in NDAA

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:34:04 -0500

From GovExec: The new plan proposed by the New York senator would offer cyber scholarships to students at colleges and universities, followed by DOD service.

It’s Finally Here: Pentagon Releases Plan To Keep Hackers Out Of Its Networks

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:07:24 -0500

GovExec: Defense agencies have until 2027 to convert their networks to architectures that continually check to make sure no one’s accessing data they shouldn’t. This shift to zero trust principles is at the core of the Pentagon’s new five-year plan to harden its information systems against cyberattacks.

DISA’s Plea to Industry: Bring Us Battlefield-Ready Tech

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:58:38 -0500

NextGov: The Pentagon’s IT agency also wants help wringing more performance out of its existing gear.

How Elon Musk’s Twitter Buy Raises Cybersecurity Risks For The Rest Of Us

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:53:56 -0500

GovExec:For all the worries that Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter will roll back limits on hate speech and misinformation, the acquisition also presents major cybersecurity concerns. Now that a critical public communications network has become private property, there are five major cyber risks that have to be accounted for, both within the network and beyond.

Why Defense Budgets Will Stay High After the Ukraine War

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:47:25 -0500

GovExec: The war is exposing how European nations were underinvesting in defense, and the critical role that renewable energy will play in transatlantic security.

Contractors’ Reluctance to Work With the Pentagon on Cybersecurity Is Leaving Vulnerabilities, DOD Official Says

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:45:24 -0500

GovExec: Waiting for defense contractors to voluntarily talk about their cybersecurity efforts and problems is leaving gaps in security, a top defense cyber official said. Just 1% of defense firms use DOD’s free network-security services, acting principal deputy CIO says.

Defense Department Health Plan Cuts Its Pharmacy Network by Nearly 15,000 Outlets

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:44:19 -0500

GovExec: Many of the pharmacies were small, independent operations that had decided not to participate next year because of the lowered reimbursement being offered. But they were surprised by an early dismissal, and some patients with specialized drug needs could face difficulties in the transition.

DISA’s Sweeping New Plan Takes Aim at Data Silos, Mistagged Info

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 14:14:00 -0500

GovExec: The Pentagon’s IT agency has policy and culture ideas to encourage freer, more secure info-sharing.

Inside the US Army’s ‘warfighting’ cloud

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 14:11:40 -0500

CIO: The US Army first-ever CIO, Dr. Raj Iyer, discusses the ‘game-changing’ impact the cloud, data, and AI are having in support of Ukraine’s fight against Russia and in safeguarding democracy at home.

Army Updates Cyber Training After Some Graduates Weren’t Ready for Their Jobs

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:36:09 -0500

GovExec: New classes and updated curriculum reflect evolving threats and lessons from the Ukraine war.

The US Weighs Escalation Risk As Ukraine Asks for Longer-range Missiles

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:35:21 -0500

GovExec: Will ATACMS become the latest weapon that Washington has initially withheld, but ultimately given?

DOD Needs to Modernize its Software Architecture for Next-Gen Warfare, Report Says

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:27:03 -0500

NextGov: A paper published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies calls for the U.S. military to modernize legacy warfighting systems in order to prepare for future conflicts.

VA Systems are Vulnerable to Cyber Intrusions Due to Lack of Effective Oversight, Report Says

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:30:40 -0500

GovExec: The Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's office said the agency is "leaving its systems vulnerable to compromise by impostors who may gain access to protected information."

Here's What Can Happen When the Average Clearance Holder Mishandles Classified Information

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:27:03 -0500

GovExec: News stories about the government’s classification process have abounded following search warrants exercised on former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, which allegedly resulted in at least a few classified documents being removed by FBI agents searching the home.

DOD Launches 6G R&D Center as it Eyes Transition to NextG Wireless Tech

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 20:29:45 -0500

NextGov: The center will be part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Beyond 5G Program and provide public and private sector collaboration on the emerging technology.

TSA Collaborates with European Security, Manufacturers To Upgrade Security Tech

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 21:54:48 -0500

NextGov: The Transportation Security Administration and Airports Council International Europe worked together to implement open architecture frameworks in screening technology.

State of Technology: Crucial Homeland Solutions Come from National Labs

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 14:52:38 -0400

Homeland Security Today: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been at the forefront of developing strategies and technologies to keep America safe from external threats, targeted specifically at chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat detection. Our dedication to these efforts has not wavered in the nearly two decades since 9/11 and we remain committed to continuing to push the boundaries of science to ensure our nation remains safe and vigilant in the face of the ever-evolving threat landscape. Labs draw upon diverse areas of expertise to develop solutions to counter pressing homeland security threats whether manmade or natural.

DOD wants industry to continue with CMMC prep amid program review

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 10:36:13 -0400

Defense Systems; Dr. Christine Michienzi, the chief technology officer for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, said while results were coming soon, defense contractors should 'continue on' with updates to cybersecurity practices as DOD finalizes its review of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

Military Intel Officials Highlight Efforts to Counter Online Disinformation

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 10:34:52 -0400

Next Gov: Disinformation and malign influence online are among nascent digital threats the U.S. military is actively countering, top officials said on Monday. Adversaries take advantage of moments in real time, such as when efforts are focused on withdrawing from Afghanistan.

New GEOINT strategy will direct agencies to look at commercial services first

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 10:33:34 -0400

Federal News Network: The NGA is trying to flip the script on how U.S. spy agencies consider geospatial intelligence sources.