Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Senior Editor

Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Before then, Williams has reported on several issues, including internet culture, national security, health care, politics and crime for various publications. She has 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@govexec.com or follow her on Twitter @lalaurenista.
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Contracts
Job 1 for makers of anti-drone defenses: write good software
Pentagon buyers are looking for control systems that are reliable, easy to use, and simple to update.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Doing business with the Navy shouldn’t be ‘artificially hard,’ research chief says
Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus said making contracting easier is a top priority.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Podcasts
WT 360's Info Session: The largest Navy conference, banking, cyber, and figuring out JADC2
Lauren Williams and Marcus Weisgerber from our partner publication Defense One jump into the conversation to go over all things military, technology and budgets as they are always key watch items for companies.
- By Ross Wilkers, Nick Wakeman, Marcus Weisgerber and Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Companies prepare to spend more on cybersecurity under new rules
Despite some complaints about the White House's new tack, industry leaders say most recognize the need for better defenses.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Tougher cybersecurity rules may be more than a year away—but don’t wait to get ready
Contractors should prepare for independent checks on their data systems, and maybe more reporting requirements as well.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Google Cloud gets DOD's blessing. But will it win contracts?
Within days, the Pentagon is expected to announce winners of its up-to-$9 billion tactical cloud effort.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Contractors’ reluctance to work With Pentagon on cybersecurity Is leaving vulnerabilities, DOD official says
Just 1% of defense firms use DOD’s free network-security services, its acting principal deputy chief information officer says.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
DISA’s plea to industry: bring us battlefield-ready tech
The Pentagon’s IT agency also wants help wringing more performance out of its existing gear.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
DISA’s sweeping new plan takes aim at data silos, mistagged info
The Pentagon’s IT agency has policy and culture ideas to encourage freer, more secure info-sharing.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
The US Army Is hunting for more soldier-connected tech
A recent solicitation calls for soldier-centered networking and information technology that will link existing and prototype technologies together.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Companies
Vendors prep for new cyber rules of the road
Federal policy is shifting to impose tighter cybersecurity requirements on government contractors and Congress appears poised to impose new standards throughout the private sector.
- By Lauren C. Williams
Contracts
Marine Corps shares new information warfare doctrine
The Corps wants commanders to start thinking about the role of information in waging war.
- By Lauren C. Williams
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
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