Congress is pushing for the Department of Defense (DOD) to improve its workforce in the highly specialized quantum computing field. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D have introduced two bills aimed at streamlining pipelines for the DOD and the private sector to acquire students graduating with quantum-related degrees.

The two bills are the QUANTUM for National Security Act and Quantum Network Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act. Congress believes the DOD needs to incorporate a new generation of powerful quantum computers. This sentiment is growing in part from threats posed by China, C4isrnet reported the story on Friday. 

Sen. Hassan commented that “Quantum mechanics play a critical role in our national security and economy  and will be at the forefront of innovative defense technologies that will help to maintain our military edge over China.” 

If the two bills become laws they will add DOD research efforts into the National Quantum Initiative, a program established in 2018 to catalyze quantum research and development. The initiative is currently made up of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Advanced quantum computers are a major to national security because they could break current encryption capabilities, meaning secure communications under current systems will be nearly impossible. If this were to happen, it would be incredibly detrimental to all military operations. 

Alternatively, if the U.S. military has powerful quantum computers, it could intercept and capture an enemy's communications. This capability would only be preventable for enemies unless they develop their own quantum computers. 

“I am glad to join Sen. Thune in introducing these bipartisan bills that will strengthen Department of Defense (DOD) and DOE efforts in quantum research and help encourage more young people to get into this critical field so that we can create jobs and keep America safe, secure, and free,” concluded Hassan.

Army Research Laboratory (ARL) wants the service to use low-cost threat simulation technologies that train warfighters to address dynamic threats. ARL believes low-cost threat emitters can work with existing, similar technologies that support training and research at Fort Huachuca's Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and other military sites, the Army said Thursday.

These emitters simulate a battlefield with dynamic scenarios. The concept aims to augment how the Army visualizes, replicates and presents electromagnetic threats.

“Multi-domain battles are centered on knowing the enemy and the battlefield, and adapting to their strengths and weaknesses using all the domains available to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, targeting and determining the impact of actions taken," said Eric Holder, a research psychologist at U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, which ARL is part of.

David McKeown, the Department of Defense's (DOD) equivalent of a chief information security officer, said DOD is looking to establish a portfolio management office that specializes in zero-trust cybersecurity, C4ISRnet reported Thursday.

The office's creation would help DOD centralize and manage efforts to implement a zero-trust architecture, which strictly imposes requirements before one is able to access the defense network.

McKeown told Congress Wednesday that the office would consolidate network and cybersecurity talent from across DOD to support zero-trust adoption.

The DOD cybersecurity official also told Congress about a new identity, credential and access management tool made by the Defense Information Systems Agency. DOD plans to use this ICAM tool as part of the zero-trust adoption effort.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will invest $162 million in a pair of new funding opportunities that aim to reduce the carbon emissions of everyday land vehicles. DOE said Thursday it will finance two initiatives that aim to develop electric vehicles, corresponding infrastructure and low-emission technologies for on- and off-road vehicles.

These efforts include the third iteration of the SuperTruck program, which aims to deliver electric freight trucks. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will allot $100 million across four years for SuperTruck 3.

Jennifer Granholm, secretary of energy, said the funding triples down on the progress made under the first two SuperTruck initiatives, which had America's biggest truck producers significantly improve fuel efficiency.

The second funding opportunity, titled “Low Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Technologies Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment," brings $62.75 million to projects aiming to reduce the emissions of land vehicles, both on and off-road. The opportunity will also focus on infrastructure development for electric vehicles.

“Getting to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 means we must aggressively cut down the largest source of emissions: the transportation sector," Granholm said.

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE: BAH), the parent company of management and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, will host a conference call at 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 21, 2021, to discuss the financial results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of Fiscal 2021 (ending March 31, 2021). A news release containing the results will be issued before the call.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

For more than 100 years, military government and business leaders have turned to Booz Allen Hamilton to solve their most complex problems. As a consulting firm with experts in analytics, digital, engineering and cyber, we help organizations transform. We are a key partner on some of the most innovative programs for governments worldwide and trusted by its most sensitive agencies. We work shoulder to shoulder with clients, using a mission-first approach to choose the right strategy and technology to help them realize their vision.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA) have issued a joint advisory after authorities determined that Russian Foreign Intelligence Service actors are using five network vulnerabilities to potentially infiltrate U.S. and allied government systems. 

Cybersecurity professionals should conduct network checks to identify indicators of compromise and implement measures to defend against Russian exploitations, the three agencies said Thursday.

NSA, CISA and FBI listed the publicly known vulnerabilities Russia's SVR actors are exploiting and urged companies to help the federal government respond to foreign cyber threats.

The agencies released the cybersecurity warning the same day President Biden imposed a string of sanctions on Russia over malicious cyber activities and election interference attempts.

The U.S. determined that SVR was responsible for the SolarWinds hack that affected many federal and private-sector entities, according to the White House.

If you're interested in cybersecurity, check out GovCon Wire's Defense Cybersecurity Forum coming up on May 12. Click here to learn more.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will reestablish a federal advisory committee by the end of June 2021 that will focus on improving the security of 5G networks. 

The Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council will also review vulnerabilities related to software and cloud services and come up with mitigation strategies, FCC said Thursday.

Jessica Rosenworcel, acting chairwoman of FCC, said the revitalization of the council marks the commission’s efforts to improve the security and resiliency of the country’s communications networks against current and future challenges.

“The damage from recent supply chain attacks, like the SolarWinds software breach, demonstrates our need for a coordinated, multifaceted, and strategic approach to protecting our networks from all threats,” Rosenworcel added.

FCC will accept nominations for membership by June 1, according to a public notice published Thursday. The council is expected to hold its first meeting in September.

To register for this virtual forum, visit the GovConWire Events page.