The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 22, 2023

This pre-Thanksgiving INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Pentagon's Replicator drone effort, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, the Navy's MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft system and more.

The Pentagon's No. 2 civilian official spoke to reporters at a Defense Writers Group breakfast in Washington this week:

Hicks says Replicator drone picks will be made within the next few weeks

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said today the Pentagon intends to select within the next three weeks the "first tranche" of low-cost, attritable, autonomous drone systems to be included in its new Replicator initiative.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

DOD's CMMC rulemaking clears OIRA review process

The Pentagon's rulemaking to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program has completed the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs review process, a major milestone that indicates the new regulation should show up in the Federal Register soon.

Pentagon finalizes change to acquisition rules setting up DOD methodology for cyber assessment standard

The Pentagon will use a methodology developed by the Defense Contract Management Agency's Defense Industrial Base Cyber Assessment Center for National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publications 800-171 assessments moving forward, according to a final rule formalizing an arrangement that is seen as a placeholder for the upcoming rollout of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

CMMC ecosystem prepares for rulemaking release, while exact timing remains uncertain

Stakeholders are getting ready for the upcoming release of a long-awaited rulemaking to implement the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while the exact timing and content of the rule remains unclear two years after the Defense Department announced a major revamp.

The Pentagon's inspector general this week released a report on the Navy's MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft system:

DOD IG says Navy should delay production, IOC decisions on MQ-25

The Defense Department inspector general is recommending the Navy hold off on a production decision and declare the MQ-25 unmanned air system operational until certain developmental tests are completed.

Document: DOD IG report on the Navy's MQ-25 program

A pair of House lawmakers want the Pentagon to cooperate with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on artificial intelligence:

Reps. Gallagher, Khanna bill would create a DOD working group on 'Five Eyes' AI cooperation

The Biden administration should establish a Pentagon-led working group to coordinate a multinational effort to test, develop and procure artificial intelligence systems in tandem with its "Five Eyes" allies, the chair and ranking member of the House Armed Services cyber, information technologies and innovation subcommittee say in a new bill.

Editor's Note: Happy Thanksgiving! The next INSIDER Daily Digest will be posted on Monday, Nov. 27.