Weekly Wrap-Up
Week of October 11, 2021
Cybersecurity
OMB Orders Federal Agencies to Let CISA Access Defenses of Devices, Servers
(CyberScoop) The White House is directing agencies to let the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency work with them on their efforts to protect endpoints, such as computer workstations and servers — an area where officials have said the federal government fell short in the SolarWinds hack.
CISA Finalizes Guidance for Securing Federal Networks for Remote Users
(Nextgov) The government’s cybersecurity leads released the final version of guidance for how agencies can ensure employees connecting to government networks from remote locations—like from home while teleworking—do so securely.
The Air Force Remakes a Squadron into a Cyber-Focused Unit
(FedScoop) The Air Force transitioned a squadron that once focused solely on communications into a unit dedicated to cyberdefense, the latest tactical pivot that mirrors the department’s broader changes to modernize its force.
Artificial Intelligence
JAIC Looking to Use AI to Aid in the Contract Writing
(MeriTalk) The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint AI Center (JAIC) is soliciting help from industry to figure out what ways the center can use AI to automate the procurement process. The JAIC will have acquisition authority beginning in fiscal year 2022, and the solicitation will look to help make that process easier.
JAIC Chief Wants AI Progress to be 'Slow and Incremental'
(FedScoop) The Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is looking to field AI across the military slowly, so products can be broadly usable across combatant commands, the center’s director said Friday.
JAIC Director Explains Importance of AI in Network Defense
(MeriTalk) As the Department of Defense (DoD) builds more artificial intelligence (AI) into its technology and operating procedures, the security of those technologies and the networks they operate will only increase in importance, said the director of the DoD’s Joint AI Center (JAIC) at the Billington Cybersecurity Summit on October 8.
What's Next for National Security and Artificial Intelligence?
(Federal News Network) It’s hard to find anything missing in the massive report just delivered to Congress from the National Security Commission on artificial intelligence. AI, it turns out, lies at the center of the emerging great powers competition with China.
Federal Updates
Katie Arrington Sues DOD and NSA Over Five-Month Suspension
(FedScoop) Katie Arrington has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency in federal court.

Lawyers for the senior Department of Defense (DOD) official in court documents argued that she has been treated unfairly because of her close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump. They argued also that she has been targeted for spearheading cybersecurity programs at the Department of Defense which the National Security Agency (NSA) did not support.
The Government Wants to Bolster Its Tech - Starting With Works
(Wired) The General Services Administration is among the lesser-known arms of US government, but it has surprising reach. It owns or leases more than 370 million square feet of offices and other facilities on behalf of other federal agencies, and also provides vehicles and IT services. Its government tech support is a particular priority of President Biden’s pick to lead the agency, Robin Carnahan.
Pentagon Finishes Research for JEDI Replacement as Supreme Court Dismisses Final Legal Challenge
(Federal News Network) The final vestiges of legal dispute surrounding the Pentagon’s JEDI Cloud contract faded away this week when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Oracle’s challenge to how the contract was structured. Meanwhile, DoD is closing in on a key decision on the contract that will replace JEDI.
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