Senate Armed Services authorizes funding increase for Pentagon cyber efforts in annual defense policy bill

The Senate Armed Services Committee has completed its closed-door work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act, approving a $268-million hike in spending on Pentagon cybersecurity efforts above this year’s level and including requirements for using zero trust architecture in Defense Department systems and assessing DOD’s role in countering ransomware attacks.

The bill also “Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the plans for the Cyber Maturity Model Certification Program,” calls for “establishment of a working group...