The Pentagon’s Cloud Challenge: Buying Tomorrow’s Tech with Yesterday’s Contracts

The Department of Defense faces a new cloud challenge that could reshape how the federal government buys technology. Former Pentagon Deputy CIO Rob Carey joins Francis to unpack why the traditional contracting process is slowing innovation — and why the government can’t afford to spend “years and years and years” buying future-looking tech through outdated procurement models.

Carey dives into the Pentagon’s five-phase cybersecurity risk management construct, explaining how artificial intelligence is both a promise and a problem in defending government systems. He discusses the balance between security and affordability, the role of human oversight in cyber operations, and the ever-evolving cost-benefit equation of protecting sensitive data.

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