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K2 Intelligence FIN Names Mariano Federici as VP of the Division; Danny Glaser, Thomas Bock Quoted
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K2 Intelligence FIN Names Mariano Federici as VP of the Division; Danny Glaser, Thomas Bock Quoted

K2 Intelligence Financial Integrity Network (FIN) has appointed Mariano Federici, a leading global expert in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT), as a vice president, the company reported on Wednesday.  

"From his leadership of Argentina's FIU and the Egmont Group, to his positions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), FATF, and GAFILAT, Mariano has been a central actor in the development of the international AML/CFT framework," said Danny Glaser, global head of Jurisdictional Services and head of the firm's DC office. 

In his new role, Federici will help lead K2 Intelligence FIN's in assessing national AML/CFT regimes, and works in partnership with jurisdictions and government agencies to ensure those regimes meet the FATF's global standards and are being implemented effectively. 

Federici will bring more than 25 years of experience in government, international institutions, and the private sector to K2 Intelligence FIN. Most recently, Federici served as head of Argentina's financial intelligence unit (FIU) and as chair of the Egmont Group of FIUs.

During his term in office as president of Argentina's FIU, Federici held a variety of international positions at global AML/CFT organizations, including chair of the Egmont Group of FIUs, regional representative for the Americas at the Egmont Group, chair of FATF's Heads of FIU Forum among others. 

Federici also worked as senior counsel for the IMF's Legal Department and as Regional Advisor for the IMF's Legal Department, where he provided high-level policy, legal and technical advice on financial integrity issues to IMF member countries as well as to the staff of the Fund.

“Mariano's experience complements our growing bench of recently added talent to the firm, which is enabling us to deepen the services and capabilities requested by clients and needed in the current marketplace," said Thomas Bock, co-head of the firm's Financial Crimes Risk and Compliance practice.

About K2 Intelligence Financial Integrity Network (FIN)

K2 Intelligence is an industry-leading investigative, compliance, and cyber defense services firm founded in 2009 by Jeremy M. Kroll and Jules B. Kroll, the originator of the modern corporate investigations industry. The Financial Integrity Network (FIN) is a premier strategic advisory firm dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial integrity goals.

By merging resources and expertise, we seek to revolutionize how organizations and jurisdictions manage risk, gather intelligence, protect themselves from illicit activity, and enhance business opportunities. Together, our newly combined firm sits at the intersection of the public and private sectors as a trusted source of expertise and sound judgment.

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QTS General Counsel Member, Shirley Goza, Announces Retirement; Chad Williams Quoted
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QTS General Counsel Member, Shirley Goza, Announces Retirement; Chad Williams Quoted

Shirley Goza, QTS’ General Counsel secretary and vice president announced her retirement, effective December 31, 2020, QTS Realty Trust reported on Thursday.

“Shirley was one of my first executive hires in forming QTS and has been a foundational member of QTS’ executive team. Her strength and character has had an immeasurable impact on our people and culture,” said Chad Williams, chairman and chief executive officer, QTS.

Goza was named QTS’ General Counsel in 2006 and has more than 30 years of experience as a practicing attorney and law professor. Goza has led the company through a wide range of legal and governance initiatives and milestones to its current position as an industry leader generating over $500 million in annual revenue.

“It has been the opportunity of a lifetime to work with this exceptional leadership team and board to build a truly world-class business,” said Goza. “I am proud to leave the QTS legacy, built on a solid values-based foundation, to a lawyer who I trust and respect as the result of many years working together. The company is in good hands all around.”

Matt Thomson, current partner with Hogan Lovells US, will succeed Goza. Throughout his career in law, Thomson has represented QTS as outside counsel since 2008, including the Company’s 2013 initial public offering, familiarizing him with QTS’ business and the data center industry.

Thomson has deep experience in the real estate investment trusts (REIT) industry and has focused his practice in the areas of corporate law, securities and capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.

Thomson will join QTS during the latter part of 2020 and will serve as co-General Counsel with Goza between his start date and Goza’s retirement to ensure a seamless transition of the General Counsel role and responsibilities.

“QTS has established a leading competitive position in the data center industry and Matt will play an important role as we accelerate our business momentum,” Williams said. “We look forward to Matt joining QTS in the coming months and I am confident that his in-depth knowledge of QTS and impressive track record will provide a smooth transition of the General Counsel role.”

About QTS

QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: QTS) is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 7 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe.

Through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities.

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SPA Secures Contract from SSP to Support Nuclear Surety Program; Dr. William Vantine Quoted
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SPA Secures Contract from SSP to Support Nuclear Surety Program; Dr. William Vantine Quoted

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) was awarded a five year contract from Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) with the first year valued at approximately $7 million, the company reported on Thursday.

Under the contract, SPA will provide strategic policy, compliance, safety engineering and assessment support. The company’s expert team has a long history of supporting the Nuclear Surety program. With the recent award, the company will utilize advanced and cutting edge analysis, modeling, simulation, and data analytics expertise to deliver innovative and effective solutions to SSP.

“The Nuclear Surety program is an essential mission for the Department of Defense and one that our team of dedicated professionals is passionate about, and has been for decades,” said Dr. William Vantine, SPA president and CEO. “We are humbled and grateful to continue our long standing partnership with SSP supporting its critically important safety and security mission.”

The Nuclear Surety program was developed to prevent nuclear weapons involved in accidents or incidents, or jettisoned weapons, from producing a nuclear yield as well as deliberate prearming, arming, launching, or releasing of nuclear weapons, except upon execution of emergency war orders or when directed by competent authority.

About SPA

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., provides knowledge based solutions integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy, and business factors in support of important national security objectives. Our employees have expertise in many domains, including: Land, Undersea, Surface and Air Warfare Operations; Radar and Sensor Systems; Unmanned Systems and Counter Systems; Nuclear Deterrence Policy, Safety and Security; Defense Industrial Base; Space Systems; Ballistic Missile Systems; and Hypersonics. Our capabilities include: Advanced Analytics; System Engineering and Safety Analysis; Strategy, Policy and Compliance; Program and Acquisition Management; Software Tool Development.

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1901 Group Partners with VA Ready to Provide Job Training in Lieu of COVID-19; Sonu Singh, Caren Merrick Quoted
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1901 Group Partners with VA Ready to Provide Job Training in Lieu of COVID-19; Sonu Singh, Caren Merrick Quoted

1901 Group has become a Business Partner of the Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready) to help unemployed Virginians across the Commonwealth return to work, the company announced on Tuesday. 

"1901 Group looks forward to working closely with VA Ready to strengthen our economy, support career pathways, and fulfill thousands of open positions by identifying, training, and employing Virginians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sonu Singh, CEO of 1901 Group. 

Under the VA Ready Initiative, 1901 Group will help equip people who are out of work with the required skills for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. Demand for specialized jobs in the fields of technology, healthcare and manufacturing/skilled trades is projected to grow.

VA Ready Scholars will be able to earn a credential in selected training programs through FastForward, a state-led short-term workforce credential program to train Virginians for top, in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth. 

FastForward is offered through the Virginia Community College System's (VCCS) 23 community colleges. Upon achieving their credential, VA Ready Scholars receive a $1,000 Credential Achievement Award and are offered opportunities to interview with VA Ready's business partners.

"The goal of VA Ready is not just to give our scholars a credential, but a clear path to a high-quality job at one of Virginia's best companies," said Caren Merrick, CEO of VA Ready. "Likewise, companies will have access to talent they know have been through a credential program that reflects their needs, which will enable them to grow their businesses, remain competitive and stimulate our state's economy. It is a win-win for everyone." 

About 1901 Group

1901 Group develops innovative IT services and solutions for the public and private sector. We improve service delivery with our FedRAMP-authorized Enterprise IT Operations Center (EITOC) for 24×7 user, complex IT infrastructure, and mission-critical systems support. 

Our capabilities include cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise-scale managed services to transition customers from traditional on-premise IT infrastructure models to hybrid cloud solutions that improve performance and reduce costs. We proudly serve customers in federal, state, and local governments, including law enforcement agencies and commercial markets. Customers benefit from our 24×7 Cloud Factory with FedRAMP authorization, ISO 9001 certification, and CMMI Maturity Level 3 appraisals.

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Maria Roat on Cross-Agency Collaboration Tech
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Maria Roat on Cross-Agency Collaboration Tech

Maria Roat, deputy federal chief information officer at the Office of Management and Budget and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more cross-agency collaboration platforms, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

“I’d really like to see more cross-government usage of the collaboration capabilities,” Roat said Wednesday at the IBM Think Gov Digital event. “The same things I was able to do in my agency, why can’t I do that with another agency?”

Roat, who joined OMB in May from the Small Business Administration, said the ongoing health crisis has demonstrated the significance of a digital federal government.

“I think the need to be digital was even more evident than people anticipated,” Roat said Wednesday at the IBM Think Gov Digital event. “Everybody’s got a mobile phone. Everybody expects that digital interaction, not just with their friends and family but with their government. I think this really put a big spotlight on that.”

She also mentioned SBA’s adoption of document sharing, video, chat and other digital collaboration tools to facilitate coordination within the agency.

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Gen. David Goldfein: Pentagon May Need Separate Account for Strategic Nuclear Deterrence
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Gen. David Goldfein: Pentagon May Need Separate Account for Strategic Nuclear Deterrence

Gen. David Goldfein, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said the Department of Defense may need a separate account to fund nuclear weapons, Defense One reported Wednesday.

“There are either going to be some significant trades made or we’re going to have to find a fund for strategic nuclear deterrence, that we can use to modernize,” Goldfein said Wednesday at a Brookings Institution event.

He said the current defense budget does not allow the Pentagon to simultaneously fund the procurement of new nuclear weapons and modernization of conventional forces.

“I think a debate is that this will be the first time that the nation has tried to simultaneously modernize the nuclear enterprise while it’s trying to modernize an aging conventional enterprise,” Goldfein said. “The current budget does not allow you to do both.”

The White House’s fiscal year 2021 budget request for DoD includes nearly $29B in funds for nuclear weapons, including ballistic missile submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles and stealth bombers. The Department of Energy’s requested budget seeks $15.6B in FY 2021 funds for nuclear warheads.

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Sean Connelly on Microsegmentation, Zero-Trust Architecture
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Sean Connelly on Microsegmentation, Zero-Trust Architecture

Sean Connelly, Trusted Internet Connections program manager at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), said the TIC 3.0 guidance for network security encourages agencies to segment networks into “trust zones” as part of zero-trust architecture, FedScoop reported Wednesday.

“We are starting to talk to a number of agencies to look at microsegmentation architectures. It’s one step toward that modernization of their environment,” Connelly said Wednesday at IBM’s Think Gov digital event. “We look at it as a way for them to secure their traffic across the enterprise, as opposed to focusing on the traditional network perimeter.”

He called on agencies to allow zero-trust architecture to coexist with conventional strategies for network security as they continue to deal with on-premise data centers, multicloud or hybrid networks.

“Right now zero trust is not a complete architecture, where a lot of agencies are in a position to adopt zero trust across the entire enterprise,” Connelly said.

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Microsoft Launches New Technology Initiative to Support Economic Recovery; Satya Nadella, Brad Smith Quoted
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Microsoft Launches New Technology Initiative to Support Economic Recovery; Satya Nadella, Brad Smith Quoted

Microsoft Corp. has launched its global skills initiative to add more digital skills to 25 million people worldwide by the end of the year  in response to the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced on Tuesday.

"COVID-19 has created both a public health and an economic crisis, and as the world recovers, we need to ensure no one is left behind," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. "Today, we're bringing together resources from Microsoft inclusive of LinkedIn and GitHub to reimagine how people learn and apply new skills — and help 25 million people facing unemployment due to COVID-19 prepare for the jobs of the future."

Microsoft will expand access to digital skills to accelerate economic recovery and will assist in job training. The company will provide data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them, free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require and low-cost certifications to develop a skilled workforce. 

The company’s technology initiative will build on data and digital technology by partnering with job seeking tools. The resources can all be accessed at a central location and will be available online in English, French, German and Spanish.

In addition, Microsoft will allocate $20 million in cash grants to help nonprofit organizations worldwide. $5 million will be provided in cash grants to community-based nonprofit organizations that are led by and serve communities of color in the United States. 

Microsoft also announced it is creating a new learning app in Microsoft Teams designed to help employers skill and upskill new and current employees as people return to work and as the economy adds jobs.

"The biggest brunt of the current downturn is being borne by those who can afford it the least," said Microsoft president Brad Smith. "Unemployment rates are spiking for people of color and women, as well as younger workers, people with disabilities and individuals with less formal education. Our goal is to combine the best in technology with stronger partnerships with governments and nonprofits to help people develop the skills needed to secure a new job."

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

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Joint Tactical Networking Center Renames DoD Comms Product Marketplace
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Joint Tactical Networking Center Renames DoD Comms Product Marketplace

The Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) has updated the Tactical Communications Marketplace to reflect the inclusion of an inventory for commercial joint communications products. The Joint Communications Marketplace will work to present waveform technologies, tactical radios and other offerings via a virtual interface, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

The portal also delivers actionable data for informed purchase decisions to help government customers meet capability needs. The service branch seeks to update the Department of Defense's (DoD) procurement approach for communications offerings through the product hub.

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U.S. Navy Plans More Cyber Baseline Deliveries This Fiscal Year
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U.S. Navy Plans More Cyber Baseline Deliveries This Fiscal Year

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) plans to deliver cyber baseline applications across 56 ships in the current fiscal year to boost the service branch's cyber readiness. The effort aims to equip more ships with the cyber baseline, a web-based application that supports a ship's compliance with the cybersecurity requirements imposed by the Department of Defense (DoD), the Navy said Monday.

The cyber baseline provides a library of afloat and ashore networks operated by the U.S. Navy. NAVWAR intends to exceed the last fiscal year's delivery count of 40 cyber baselines.

“Despite today’s current circumstances, our Navy and our nation are continuing to experience an unprecedented degree of competition in the maritime environment,” said Mike Spencer, executive director of NAVWAR's Fleet Readiness Directorate.

FRD's cybersecurity office has delivered a total of 80 cyber baselines since 2018 and aims to bring that number up to 180 by fiscal 2022.

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