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Bipartisan Resolution Guides Creation of National AI Strategy; Rep. Robin Kelly Quoted
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Bipartisan Resolution Guides Creation of National AI Strategy; Rep. Robin Kelly Quoted

Reps. Will Hurd, R-Texas and two-time Wash100 Award recipient, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill., have presented a bipartisan resolution that aims to establish a national strategy in pursuit of artificial intelligence.

Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM and other information technology companies have shown support for the resolution that highlights AI’s strategic value, Hurd’s office said Friday.

“We need a real and actionable comprehensive plan, as this resolution calls for, to engage all levers of national power to create and preserve American AI superiority,” Kelly said.

The resolution’s introduction follows the passage of the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act, a Hurd-Kelly introduced bill that establishes security standards for government-used IoT devices.

Bipartisan Resolution Guides Creation of National AI Strategy; Rep. Robin Kelly Quoted

On October 22nd, ArchIntel Events will host the ArchIntel – AI in Competitive Intelligence Forum as its first virtual event featuring August Jackson, senior director of Marketing and Competitive Intelligence for Deltek, as the keynote speaker.

Please join ArchIntel for its first virtual event on October 22nd to hear from some of the most esteemed minds in competitive intelligence on the opportunities and challenges arising from AI technology and how CI professionals can adapt and thrive in a post COVID-19 technological world.

Register here to attend ArchIntel’s first virtual event: AI in Competitive Intelligence Forum

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Cambridge Names Elizabeth Roman Jones as Compliance Director; Kim Harokopus Quoted
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Cambridge Names Elizabeth Roman Jones as Compliance Director; Kim Harokopus Quoted

Cambridge has appointed Elizabeth Roman Jones as compliance director to advance the company’s offerings to remain competitive in the marketplace, the company reported on Monday.

“Elizabeth is an experienced, respected professional who comes to Cambridge eager to help us continue our pursuit of continual improvement. We are looking forward to leveraging her expertise to refine our programs and processes to maximize our competitiveness and best support our employees and customers,” said Kim Harokopus, Cambridge CEO.

Roman Jones will bring deep experience in implementing and supervising comprehensive compliance programs, including policy and procedure implementation, training, hotline management and risk mitigation to Cambridge. 

She also brings a strong background in counseling on ethics and compliance matters and knowledge of regulatory requirements, as a barred attorney in D.C., Florida, and Puerto Rico. 

Most recently, Roman Jones served as compliance counsel at Enviva, where she led domestic and international compliance initiatives for a global biomass-energy public entity with operations in the US and internationally. 

In the role, she also managed daily operations of the compliance program and developed policies, procedures and controls for internal investigations, gift and entertainment, third-party due diligence and political contributions.

Prior to her career with Enviva, Roman Jones served as senior business analyst of Governance and Compliance with Procentrix, Inc. She supervised the company’s projects’ governance and compliance, including auditing team members’ data privacy and cybersecurity project work, creating reports and writing procedures within a $35 million privately held IT organization.

She also led a data privacy compliance project to ensure project’s objectives, deliverables and deadlines were met, and managed changes and updates to existing data privacy and cybersecurity policies and procedures.

About Cambridge

At Cambridge International Systems, Inc. we design and deliver innovative and adaptive solutions to address capacity-building needs and enable success. For more than 25 years, Cambridge has been fighting bad actors in both the cyber and physical worlds. 

We have worked in some of the most challenging domains imaginable including critical infrastructure, illicit trafficking, border security, flight mission assurance, banking and threat finance, and medical and health security. We use holistic discovery and rigorous systemic solutioning to deliver intelligent, strategically crafted aviation, operations, security, and technology solutions globally.

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Ellen Lord Discusses Impact of COVID-19 on Federal Modernization
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Ellen Lord Discusses Impact of COVID-19 on Federal Modernization

Hon. Ellen Lord, undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment at the Department of Defense (DoD) and four-time Wash100 Award recipient, recently discussed how the defense department has shifted modernization efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Defense News reported on Monday.

“When COVID-19 hit, it shone a spotlight on the concern we had with this fragility and helped us tell the story. Because of another executive order coming in declaring a federal emergency, we no longer had to go through the presidential determination route, which is a bit time consuming, to identify areas where we needed to invest,” Lord said.

As an effect of the pandemic the DoD added more focus to aviation propulsion, where the department has a number of key suppliers who depend on commercial aviation. The department has made a number of awards to aviation companies to increase business and continue to support the war fighter.

COVID-19 has also expedited the modernization of the defense industrial base (DIB) for nuclear and hypersonic weapons, increasing funding and enhancing capabilities. DoD has leveraged the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to track about key companies that the department works with to track deliveries and challenges, as well as support industry partners.

“What we are looking for is whether or not we’re maintaining war-fighter readiness for our production programs, and then relative to modernization, whether we are hitting key milestones relative to development programs. We have seen some slowdowns. We are carefully monitoring, using monthly metrics, where we are. That’s something that I’m actually extremely proud of the team over the last few years — we have developed a very data-driven way of doing business,” Lord added.

Ellen Lord Discusses Impact of COVID-19 on Federal Modernization

Join Potomac Officers Club for its 5G Summit on Oct. 27, 2020 to learn about the impact that innovative technologies and 5G integration have on the private and public sectors, the steps the federal agencies have taken to remain up to speed with the rapid advancement of technology, and the future programs, plans and priorities as the nation aligns with emerging technology.

Lord will be featured as the keynote speaker. Don’t miss out on this must see event! Register here for the 5G Summit on October 27th.

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Army Futures Command to Develop Electric Powered Vehicles; LTG Eric Wesley Quoted
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Army Futures Command to Develop Electric Powered Vehicles; LTG Eric Wesley Quoted

Army Futures Command (AFC) has approved the development of electric powered tactical and combat vehicles by the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate. The directorate will begin drafting a requirements document for Tactical and Combat Vehicle Electrification (TaCVE) and will host an industry day to share electrification initiatives with industry.

“Let’s be clear. We’re behind. We’re late to meet on this thing,” said LTG Eric Wesley, former director of the Futures and Concepts Center within AFC. “If you look at all of the analysis, all of the various nations that we work with, they’re all going to electric power with their automotive fleet, and right now, although we do [science and technology] and we’ve got some research and development going on and we can build prototypes, in terms of a transition plan, we are not there.”

The electrification effort aims to decrease the Army’s reliance on fossil fuels. “The requirement also aims to increase operational reach across all maneuver formations through electric propulsion, which offers a variety of operational and tactical benefits,” said the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate.

Electric powered vehicles have the potential to double operational duration, implement silent mobility, increase silent watch and reduce the Army’s logistical burden by nearly half when fully implemented. The initiative will develop an entire enterprise that would support those electric vehicle fleets and other capabilities.

Wesley has also developed a proposal for the head of Army Futures Command on how the service might accomplish such an endeavor that could change the paradigm of the logistics and sustainment initiatives as well as enhance force mobility.

Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, recently delivered a keynote address during Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Army Forum on Thursday August 6th.

Throughout the past several years, the U.S. Army has continued to implement advanced technology priorities, from enhancing hardware, software, and infrastructure to expanding synthetic training environments, to improve the service branch’s acquisition and modernization processes. The Army has employed agile, responsive cross-functional teams to achieve its modernization goals and efforts.

Jette discussed the progress, innovations and accomplishments of the Army’s modernization renaissance over the last year, what challenges remain, and how industry can help in 2021 and beyond.

If you missed the event, you can still register to watch the footage in Potomac Officers Club’s Event Archive.

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ECS Launches Cloud CoE 2.0, Appoints Imran Bashir as Head; George Wilson Quoted
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ECS Launches Cloud CoE 2.0, Appoints Imran Bashir as Head; George Wilson Quoted

ECS has launched the Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) 2.0 Initiative, which will advance ECS’ programs and invest and drive innovation in cloud computing technology to provide new value to customers, the company reported on Monday. 

The company has also appointed Dr. Imran Bashir, ECS chief technical officer of cloud computing and vice president of emerging technologies, to lead the division. “This initiative will create long-term value for ECS’ customers,” said George Wilson, president of ECS and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient. 

“With Dr. Bashir’s leadership, the Cloud CoE will continue to help companies orchestrate their cloud initiatives and manage the cloud adoption lifecycle—from strategy, roadmap, design, migration, and application modernization to cybersecurity, compliance, and ongoing operations and support.”

Bashir, industry expert and thought leader in cloud technology, will lead ECS’ Cloud CoE 2.0. He has more than two decades of experience with enterprise-level software systems, big data solutions, cloud computing, cloud economics, serverless computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) systems. 

Bashir and his team will provide cloud support across ECS, while the larger Cloud Community of Interest (Cloud CoI) will leverage Cloud CoE resources to benefit individual programs. ECS will scale its approach to build solutions that meet enterprise cloud needs. 

The CoE will integrate governance at scale to enable companies to leverage cloud computing by defining, standardizing and improving strategies, processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all cloud engagements. 

ECS will also offer security and compliance by building a library of security compliant infrastructure as code and templates that establish a foundational network architecture customizable to specific projects. The company’s AI/ML capabilities will drive innovation in cloud computing and deploy emerging technologies across ECS programs. 

“Companies are no longer adopting cloud for one or two projects, but across their entire enterprises,” said Dr. Bashir. “The Cloud CoE 2.0 initiative combines expert data scientists, cloud architects, and engineers with the resources, knowledge base, and processes to guide ECS’ customers on their journeys to the cloud.”

ECS is an AWS Premier Partner and one of ten managed-service providers worldwide to maintain six AWS competencies. 

About ECS

ECS, a segment of ASGN, delivers advanced solutions in cloud, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), application and IT modernization, science, and engineering. The company solves critical, complex challenges for customers across the U.S. public sector, defense, intelligence, and commercial industries. 

ECS maintains partnerships with leading cloud, cybersecurity, and AI/ML providers and holds specialized certifications in their technologies. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ECS has more than 3,000 employees throughout the United States.

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HRCI Names Janet Hanofee, SOSi CHRO, to Board of Directors; Julian Setian Quoted
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HRCI Names Janet Hanofee, SOSi CHRO, to Board of Directors; Julian Setian Quoted

SOS International (SOSi) has announced that the company’s chief human resource officer (CHRO), Janet Hanofee, has been appointed to the Human Resources Certification Institute’s (HRCI) Board of Directors, the company reported on Monday. Hanofee will begin serving her two-year term on the HRCI Board of Directors beginning in January 2021.

“Since joining us in 2017, Janet has helped us prepare our workforce and adapt our operations to keep the business moving forward through corporate acquisitions, government shutdowns, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Julian Setian, president and CEO of SOSi and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

“Having a well trained, strategic HR team has been essential to keeping us competitive and overcoming the challenges we’ve faced over the past several years.”

Hanofee joined SOSi as vice president for Human Resources in 2017, and was appointed as CHRO in 2019. With SOSi, she is responsible for leading the company’s human resources, benefits and training team.

Hanofee has more than 15 years of human resources and benefits experience. Prior to her role with SOSi, she worked with Chenega Corporation, where she served as the senior director of Human Resources. With Chenega, she led corporate strategy development, benefits program design, government contracts compliance and auditing and training program development and implementation.

Previously, Hanofee served as the director of Human Resources for The Tatitlek Corporation, human resources manager for CH2M Hill and director of Human Resources for Harbor Enterprises Inc./North 60 Petroleum. Hanofee has worked closely with HRCI for more than ten years. Hanofee earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources certification through HRCI.

To become HRCI certified, candidates must meet the professional experience and educational requirements before taking the exam. In 2019, more than 13,000 HR practitioners tested for HRCI credentials. To maintain certifications, professionals must remain in an HR role and recertify every three years.

“The responsibilities for HR professionals are continuously evolving,” said Hanofee. “HRCI helps HR professionals enhance their skills, knowledge, and abilities to stay ahead of market trends, drive a positive corporate culture, and deliver business results.”

About SOSi

Founded in 1989, SOSi is the largest private, family-owned and operated technology and services integrator in the aerospace, defense, and government services industry. Its global portfolio includes military logistics, intelligence analysis, software development, and cybersecurity.

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Air Force Activates 867th Cyberspace Operations Group; Col. Jeffrey Phillips Quoted
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Air Force Activates 867th Cyberspace Operations Group; Col. Jeffrey Phillips Quoted

The U.S. Air Force reorganized some units in order to form a new cyber group in support of U.S. Cyber Command in an effort to bring together cyber developers, operators and intelligence forces, C4ISRNET reported Friday.

The 867th cyberspace operations group at Fort Meade in Maryland will operate under the 67th cyberspace wing and include the 315th, 341st, 833rd and 836th cyberspace operations squadrons. The two intelligence units of the 659th ISR Group will be redesignated under the 867th group.

“The activation and redesignation activities we will complete today will bring unity of command and unity of effort to our air force cyber mission forces an ultimately increase the lethality we can bring to bear against our adversaries,” said Col. Jeffrey Phillips, commander of the 67th Cyberspace Wing.

The Air Force officially established the 867th cyberspace operations group during a ceremony held Friday in San Antonio. The activation of the 867th group came a year after the formation of the 16th Air Force, which combined the 24th and 25th air forces.

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GAO: Treasury Should Better Track Cyber Risk Mitigation Efforts of Financial Services Sector
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GAO: Treasury Should Better Track Cyber Risk Mitigation Efforts of Financial Services Sector

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the Department of the Treasury collaborate with other federal agencies and partners in the financial services sector to track the sector’s efforts to mitigate cyber risks.

GAO said in a report published Thursday that the Treasury should also work with other agencies and sector partners to establish metrics for assessing progress and update sector-specific plans with information on how the sector's efforts will meet the requirements outlined in the 2019 National Cyber Strategy Implementation Plan.

“Unless more widespread and detailed tracking and prioritization of efforts occurs according to the goals laid out in the sector-specific plan, the sector could be insufficiently prepared to deal with cyber-related risks, such as those caused by increased access to data by third parties,” the report reads.

The financial services sector, which holds approximately $108 trillion in assets, faces various cyber-related risks, including an increase in access to financial data through information technology supply chain partners, a rise in interconnectivity through cloud, network and mobile applications and use of more sophisticated malware by threat actors.

The report noted that the Treasury, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other financial regulators have taken steps to improve cybersecurity through risk mitigation initiatives, such as carrying out simulation exercises with regard to cyber incident response and recovery efforts.

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NASA Sees Uptick in Cyber Threats as Employees Shift to Remote Work; Jeff Seaton, Paul Martin Quoted
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NASA Sees Uptick in Cyber Threats as Employees Shift to Remote Work; Jeff Seaton, Paul Martin Quoted

NASA officials told the House Space Subcommittee o n Friday that the transition to telework due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to new cybersecurity challenges, SpaceNews reported.

Paul Martin, NASA inspector general, told the House subpanel during the hearing that the space agency has seen an increase in cyber threats including phishing attempts during the period.

“Our concerns with NASA IT governance and security are wide-ranging and long-standing,” Martin said. “For more than two decades, NASA has struggled to implement an effective IT governance structure that aligns authority and responsibility commensurate with the agency’s overall mission.”

Jeff Seaton, acting chief information officer at NASA, said the agency has initiated measures to address security and governance issues. 

“For almost a decade now, we’ve been working to integrate and operate as a cohesive unit,” Seaton said of NASA’s IT management efforts.

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Cedric Sims, Booz Allen SVP, to Chair Executive with Heart Campaign
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Cedric Sims, Booz Allen SVP, to Chair Executive with Heart Campaign

The Greater Washington Region American Heart Association has appointed Dr. Cedric Sims, senior vice president with Booz Allen Hamilton, to chair the 2020-2021 Executives with Heart Campaign. Follow this link to register for the upcoming 2020 Greater Washington Region Heart Walk Digital Experience on Nov. 6th – 8th.

“It is because of leaders like Cedric that we are able to advance our lifesaving mission,” said Soula Antoniou, executive director, American Heart Association Greater Washington Region. “Thank you, Cedric, for your leadership and being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

The American Heart Association has set a goal to raise $750 thousand through Heart Walk by engaging local leaders to donate or raise $5,000+ to fund the mission of the American Heart Association.

Sims has more than 25 years of experience in acquisitions and risk management, cybersecurity, capital planning, portfolio and program governance and systems engineering applied to homeland security missions.

Sims, with Booz Allen’s Justice, Homeland Security and Transportation business, develops strategies to foster integration across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and delivers expertise, primarily cyber and analytics, to support complex missions.

Prior to joining Booz Allen, Sims served as president of Evermay Consulting Group, where he advised companies with strategic acquisition guidance, capture, and proposal services in delivering government services and technology solutions.

From 2010 until 2012, Sims established and led the DHS Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management. As a lead executive in the Management Directorate, his efforts promoted better accountability of the $18 billion portfolio of DHS acquisition investments and matured the acquisition risk management process.

He chaired the Centers of Excellence Council and provided strategic leadership to component acquisition executives. Sims also served as executive director of the Enterprise Business Management Office within the DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer, where he supervised enterprise strategies for governance of $6.4 billion of IT investments across DHS.

Cedric Sims, Booz Allen SVP, to Chair Executive with Heart Campaign

Sims will join the other notable members of the American Heart Association Committee, including Owen Billman, president of Blake Real Estate; Linda Gooden CEO of Gooden LLC; Barbara Humpton CEO of Siemens USA; Jim Garrettson CEO of Executive Mosaic; Kent Matlick SVP of Perspecta; Rob McHale, Sr. Client Partner of Korn Ferry; Erich Sanchack EVP of Digital Realty; Vicki Schmanske, group president of Intelligence with Leidos; and Mike Pittsman EVP, DAVIS Construction.

Follow this link to register for the upcoming 2020 Greater Washington Region Heart Walk Digital Experience on Nov. 6th – 8th.

About The American Heart Association

As the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization. Our purpose is to help Americans live heart healthy and prevent America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, heart disease and stroke.

We are advocates of good health and promoters of positive behaviors, nutritious eating habits and healthy lifestyles. We also fund cutting-edge research and professional education programs. We promise to have an extraordinary impact on your life by empowering you and your loved ones to save lives, live healthier and enjoy more peace of mind about cardiovascular health.

Our 2020 goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent. And, we can’t do it without you.

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