Telework Forever! A strong majority, 81 percent, of Defense Department information technology and program managers surveyed want the department to allow more frequent use of teleworking even after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ends, according to the results of a survey done by MeriTalk. The study, Meeting the Mobile Mission: Secure Collaboration for National Defense, said 90 percent of DoD IT and program managers are teleworking at least part time. Respondents to the survey said they have taken a number of actions to bolster workfrom- home security, with 53 percent increasing the capacity of virtual private networks, 51 percent configuring home WiFi according to best practices and ensuring devices have the latest patching, and 43 percent providing telework-specific security training for the IT workforce. On the downside 85 percent say they have experience challenges collaborating remotely and 61 percent said remote collaboration leaves department networks, clouds, and endpoints vulnerable. Eighty-four percent of IT managers and 83 percent of program managers also said they have taken security shortcuts while doing business, including using personal devices and cloud or file sharing account. HASC/Army Amendments. The House Armed Services Committee added an amendment to its newly approved FY ‘21 NDAA directing the Army to brief on modeling and simulation efforts to support next-gen combat vehicle programs. The Army has previously detailed plans to build the initial phase of its restarted Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program around digital designs, with plans to award up to five contracts for “simulated” prototypes. HASC also approved amendments directing the Army to brief on its Air to Ground Networking Radio program, its strategy for fielding new UH-60V Black hawks, as well as plans to use artificial intelligence and machine learning for its missile defense systems.
展开▼
