Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense | https://media.defense.gov
On April 24, Ms. Katie Arrington, performing the duties of the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer, signed a memo titled "Accelerating Secure Software." This memo establishes the Software Fast Track (SWFT) Initiative for the department. The initiative aligns with Secretary Hegseth's guidance on modern software acquisition and aims to reform how the department acquires, tests, and authorizes secure software.
The current systems for software procurement are outdated and lack supply chain visibility. The new guidance directs the Office of the CIO to collaborate with Under Secretaries in Acquisition and Sustainment, Research and Engineering, and Intelligence and Security to address these issues. The goal is to improve the delivery of high-quality secure software to enhance the lethality and resilience of the Joint Force.
The action calls for a 90-day effort to develop a framework that includes cybersecurity requirements, rigorous software security verification processes, secure information sharing mechanisms, and government-led risk determinations. These measures aim to expedite cybersecurity authorizations for rapid software adoption.
The DoD has announced three Requests for Information (RFI) to gather market data on accelerating secure software delivery. This step is seen as crucial in transforming how software security is verified within the federal government. It supports risk-based decisions when introducing new capabilities to rebuild military strength.
"It is absolutely mission one that we arm our warfighters with the best cutting-edge weapons available," stated an official source. The move is part of broader efforts to fulfill a presidential promise to rebuild military capabilities while avoiding duplicative processes.
For more details on these initiatives and RFIs, visit the provided links:
- Memo on Accelerating Secure Software: https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Library/Memo-AcceleratingSecureSoftware.pdf
- RFI – SWFT Tools: https://sam.gov/opp/753c9598b7904657b528e9de39efdee8/view
- RFI – SWFT External Assessment Methodologies: https://sam.gov/opp/4a79c3e777c24d14a69d6c090950a755/view
- RFI – SWFT Automation & AI: https://sam.gov/opp/7ca9ff30bad5407db7de079f7bf397c0/view
