Version 2.2 (31 August 2020) of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Assessment and Authorization Process Manual (DAAPM) mentions the phrase "insider threat" fifteen times, and for good reason.  It's well-known that cleared industry has strict requirements for implementing and maintaining an insider threat program. 

America’s tank muscle - the legendary M1 Abram - is heading to Europe to help Ukraine in the war with Russia.  A resolute President Joe Biden noted how “They need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term.”^[1]

Cybersecurity is permeating every corner of America’s Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and that includes the U.S. Air Force.  To bolster the military’s cybersecurity posture, the Department of Air Force is set to conduct its next “Bravo” Hakathan in 2023.  And interestingly, any U.S. citizen may apply, you don’t need a security clearance, and it’s a great way to collaborate with America’s defense industry with regards to cybersecurity. 

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the establishment of the Defense Management Institute (DMI), a non-profit, nonpartisan research group that will be managed by the Institute for Defense Analytics (IDA), with the goal of bringing together subject matter experts and practitioners for purposes of collaboration, research, and other endeavors. 

The United States, well aware of China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, is requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure it has a dedicated strategy “...to ensure that our combined deterrent is stronger than ever before with the aim of sustaining and ensuring regional peace and security,” according to senior defense official.

U.S. military personnel from Kadena Air Base teamed up with Japan Self Defense Force personnel on January 19, 2023 for ‘Southern Beach’ - military training exercises between the two countries.  Southern Beach allows U.S. and Japanese personnel the opportunity to train through integration of forces, ultimately helping to better assess and understand each other’s strengths, and areas of improvement. “Southern Beach is a bilateral exercise between U.S. personnel from Kadena Air Base and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Sebastian Coburn, 18th Operations Support Squadron dissimilar air combat-training wing chief.

Airpower supremacy was on display as the U.S. Air Force publicly unveiled the B-21 Raider, America’s first new, long-range strike bomber in a generation.  While it won’t be operational for a number of years, nevertheless, the groundbreaking public unveiling at Northrop Grumman’s production facilities in California was a clear warning shot to all around the world - America’s military dominates the skies with cutting-edge, industry leading aircraft.  The B-21 is the first new bomber to be introduced since the end of the Cold War.

On January 26, 2023, the United States and Israel successfully concluded what would be the largest ever partnered military exercise between the two countries. The the U.S.-Israel military partnership is stronger than it ever has been, and it continues to grow, stated Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command in a news release, while aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier today.

While federal contractors are hopefully busying themselves with implementing comprehensive measures for the safeguarding of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), it’s important to take note of several helpful tools.  A great reference for helping build and implement a structured and formalized CUI program is NIST Special Publication 800-172 - Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information.  What makes NIST 800-172 such a great compliment to NIST 800-171 is that it lists each of the prescriptive security requirements, then provides an excellent ‘Discussion’ section for giving federal contractors much-needed information, examples, and clarity on how the control itself should be implemented in terms of CUI safeguarding.