China Surpasses US As Top Oil Importer

In a shift with potentially enormous strategic implications, China recently surpassed the US as the world’s largest net oil importer, as the US produces more and consumes less while Chinese demand steadily increases. US net oil imports have fallen from a peak of 13 million barrels per day in October 2006 to under 6 mmb/d…

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PWR, Rocket Engine Maker, Commissions Fuel Cell to Help Save Energy

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, the rocket engine maker, celebrated another milestone in its effort to conserve energy and reduce waste with the commissioning of United Technology Corp.’s (UTC) first operational large (400kW) fuel cell in California’s San Fernando Valley.

DISA’s Strategy For Cross-DOD Networks Faces Mounting Budget Pressures

This year, the Defense Information Systems Agency has ambitious plans to streamline and speed up how military personnel access applications and services on the Defense Department’s computer networks. These efforts include launching a new pan-service user environment, making enterprise services easier to use and access, increasing the offerings and capabilities of cloud based systems, and…

Mini-Drones Go Commercial — But There’re Problems

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — They’re coming. And they’re not just for the military anymore. Dozens of companies have sprung up in the last few years making remote controlled, mini-aircraft mounted with cameras, that are increasingly being used for commercial and even entertainment purposes.

Cyber Attacks Will Escalate In 2013; Congressional Inaction Blamed

NEW YORK (CNN Money): Security analysts are predicting that 2013 is when nation-sponsored cyberwarfare goes mainstream — and some think such attacks will lead to actual deaths. In 2012, large-scale cyberattacks targeted at the Iranian government were uncovered, and in return, Iran is believed to have launched massive attacks aimed at U.S. banks and Saudi…

DOD, Microsoft Agree To Landmark Enterprise Licensing Deal

The Defense Department has awarded a first of its kind joint enterprise licensing agreement for Microsoft collaboration, mobility, productivity and security tools. Valued at $617 million, the three-year agreement will allow the Army, Air Force and the Defense Information Systems Agency to begin using the latest versions of the company’s products. The agreement creates a…

UN Agency Opens International Email Traffic To Government Scrutinty

The International Telecommunications Union sent shock waves across the Internet with an agreement approved last night which would give countries a right to access international telecommunications services including Internet traffic. While the U.S., Canada, Australia, Norway, Denmark, and other countries refused to go along with the measure, the motion carried in a decision that caught…

DoD To Adopt Dutch Public Key System To Support Foreign Military Sales

The Defense Department is planning to accept a European-developed identification standard that will allow allied military personnel and contractors to access secure military networks under specific circumstances. Multinational access considerations are part of a draft memo from DOD chief information officer Teresa Takai, said Paul Grant, director of cybersecurity policy in the DOD CIO’s office.…

Military Leaders See Energy Diversity Protecting US National Security

Growing demand in huge emerging economies like China and India will drive up world oil prices no matter what the US does, so it’s crucial for the US to develop energy alternatives that will keep it from beng hurt by those nations’ successes, says Adm. (Ret.) Dennis Blair, former director of national intelligence.

UN Seeks Unprecedented Control Of Global Internet Traffic

The United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union has taken the unprecedented step of adopting a standard for the Internet that would essentially permit eavesdropping on a global basis. According to a just-published piece on the RT.com web site, ITU members decided to adopt a standard, known as Y.2770, which would permit the inspection of Internet traffic.…

Why We Need A Cyber Doctrine Now

We’ve heard national security leaders at the highest levels say it repeatedly: we are not prepared for cyber war. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, made it clear when he rated America’s readiness for addressing a catastrophic cyber attack “three on a scale of ten.” Homeland…

Can Mergers And Acquisitions Help Meet U.S. Defense Challenges?

In the aftermath of the EADS-BAE merger being called off, speculation continues about the outlook for defense merger and acquisition (M&A) activity – andwhat impact that will have on government and suppliers.

Beyond The Blackberry: Army Test Issues 200 Top Leaders Androids, iPhones, & Galaxies

Top military officials are finally getting a chance to see first hand how tablet computers and smartphones other than their trusted BlackBerrys might work in the line of duty. As part of previously undisclosed program, 200 mobile devices – including iPads, iPhones, Samsung Galaxy tablets and smartphones – have been issued to senior military personnel:…

NRO Starts Moving Spy Satellite Secrets To Open-Source Cloud

In a move toward a more efficient National Reconnaissance Office, analysts for the agency operating the nation’s spy satellites are on the verge of getting their information through a top-secret open-source cloud environment housing intelligence data. Jill Singer, the agency’s chief information officer, offered the latest details on the project at this week’s Red Hat…