The Department of War has issued a request for information to solicit industry feedback on the use of automation and artificial intelligence to support and enhance Zero Trust Purple Team assessments across unclassified and secret networks.
Register now and join the Potomac Officers Club at the 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29 to engage with top defense leaders and innovators as they explore the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of warfare.
Table of Contents
What Is the Scope of Zero Trust Assessments & Artificial Intelligence RFI?
According to the sources sought notice published Tuesday on SAM.gov, the DOW’s chief information officer is seeking vendors to provide details on commercial off-the-shelf, or COTS, platforms and services that use automation, AI and machine learning to accelerate and scale zero trust assessments within the War Department.
The initiative is designed to address anticipated capacity constraints by enabling continuous, collaborative evaluations—bringing together offensive and defensive cyber teams with system owners—to assess implementation of core zero trust principles, identify gaps or deficiencies, and validate compliance with target-level zero trust activities and acceptance criteria. The effort supports the department’s goal of aligning its IT environments with target-level zero trust standards.
What Is Zero Trust?
Zero trust is a cybersecurity framework based on the premise that networks and systems face persistent threats, DefenseScoop reports. Under this model, the Pentagon must continually verify users and devices as they access and move across the network. The DOW’s Zero Trust Strategy requires all of its components to meet designated zero-trust maturity targets by the end of fiscal year 2027.
Related Articles
The Senate has confirmed Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve as vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18 will convene senior Army leaders and industry stakeholders for keynotes, panels and GovCon networking focused on how the revitalized service is reshaping contracting, modernization and technology efforts to deliver on its 2030 goals. Register now to join the event. According to a congressional notice, the confirmation vote took place Tuesday, following LaNeve’s nomination by the Trump administration in October 2025. LaNeve will succeed Gen. James Mingus, who has served in the position since January 2024,
Cameron Stanley, a defense technology executive, has emerged as the top candidate for the chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, or CDAO, position at the Department of War, DefenseScoop reported Wednesday. According to sources, Stanley could assume the role in January. Join us for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 19, featuring top voices from agencies and industry. Sign up now to explore cutting-edge use cases and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI in government. What’s Behind the Leadership Change at the Pentagon CDAO Office? The news comes nearly a month after
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at reshaping defense contracting by restricting stock buybacks, corporate distributions and executive compensation practices that the administration says undermine military readiness. According to a White House fact sheet published Wednesday, the EO aims to ensure that defense companies focus on innovation, production capacity and on-time delivery of capabilities to meet the needs of U.S. warfighters. The executive order came roughly two months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a previous Wash100 awardee, unveiled sweeping Pentagon acquisition reforms designed to speed up capability delivery, boost commercial technology use and hold industry accountable