President Donald Trump signed an executive order on cybersecurity Thursday that requires a series of assessments and reports from various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The order requires DOD to work on a total of seven new reports related to cybersecurity threats and policies. Trump wants a major report, including DOD input, on the possibility of moving federal agencies to “one or more consolidated network architectures” and “shared IT services, including email, cloud, and cybersecurity services.” The order also requires DOD contributions to reports on defense of critical infrastructure, botnet attacks, defense of the industrial base, deterrence of cyber attacks, cybersecurity priorities, and efforts to maintain US superiority in cyber capabilities. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the executive order immediately. “The fact is that the challenges we confront are well known and well documented,” McCain said in a statement released Thursday. “We do not need more assessments, reports, and reviews. We need policy, strategy, and the resources to carry them out.” He called for the reports to be completed quickly so that DOD leaders can “move on to the urgent business of formulating a strategy to deter, defend against, and respond to cyberattacks on our nation.”
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.