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.
Contracts
Air Force looks to HBCUs to lead its first university applied research center
The tactical autonomy-focused center will focus on key areas including human-machine teaming, trust and collaboration between platforms.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Spotlight on innovation in the 2023 defense policy bill
The Defense Innovation Unit stands to get $81 million, double its requested budget, for fiscal 2023, under the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Defense topline funding could see a bump, panel chairman says
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told reporters he was confident that defense budget limits could be increased beyond the White House's request.
- By Lauren C. Williams
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Contracts
How the Pentagon plans to manage inflation costs in contracts
The Defense Department urged contracting officers to "be mindful" of the varying impacts of inflation and "limit the scope" of equity pay adjustment clauses, according to new guidance.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
The Navy has saved $150 million by consolidating IT systems, official says
The Cattle Drive effort, which was announced in 2020, aims to reduce duplicative systems, their data, and save money.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
DIU, GSA sign deal to fast-track new tech to civilian agencies
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
Contracts
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
Contracts
DIU sets up shop in Chicago
The Defense Department's tech innovation arm is expanding with a new midwest office.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
The Army eyes finish line for Microsoft Office 365 migration
Army CIO Raj Iyer said he expects classified and unclassified migrations to wrap up by 2025.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Can small businesses keep up with defense cyber requirements?
The Defense Department is launching a study to assess how well companies can handle cyber self-assessments.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Cyber will be larger part of future defense budgets, key senator says
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said cyber will continue to be a budget priority as it becomes "critical" on the battlefield.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Pentagon acquisition reforms may get more scrutiny
William LaPlante, who has been nominated to be the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, indicated that he would review recent acquisition reforms and champion modern software practices if confirmed.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
The IC's 4-year emerging tech investment plan
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's investment strategy aims to make it easier for companies to connect with program managers.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Funding for DOD's software pilots holds strong in 2022
Future expansion could hinge on analysis that the strategy is working.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Lawmakers worry about cyber risks in space
Senators questioned the commanders of Space Command and Strategic Command on their plans to handle an increase in space-based threats.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
For defense IT, acquisitions need to be more than 'just in time'
Contract planning and boosting small business in 2022 are top of mind for Debra Daniels, the vice procurement services executive for the Defense Information Systems Agency.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Why vendors can't wait for CMMC to raise their cyber standards
"The current geopolitical climate...should have companies thinking about how they are currently defending themselves against cyber attacks," a defense official said on Thursday.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Space acquisitions could see more 'discipline' from Biden pick
Frank Calvelli, the nominee for the first ever assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said better program management was key to keeping procurement on-time and on budget.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Russian hackers are hitting cleared defense contractors, security agencies warn
The two-year campaign targeted sensitive but unclassified information stored by defense contractors.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
DOD bets on small businesses to improve industry competition
Part of the plan includes leaning in on other transaction agreements while increasing oversight of defense industry mergers and acquisitions.
- By Lauren C. Williams