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US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach
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US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach
US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach

A cyber breach of a U.S. Marshals Service system resulted in the exposure of personal data of approximately 387,000 former and current prisoners at the end of 2019, Nextgov reported Monday. USMS sent letters to affected individuals notifying them of the intrusion and referring them to resources to help safeguard themselves from fraud and freeze their credit.

“The attackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in the system to extract sensitive personally identifiable information on approximately 387,000 individuals,” a spokesperson for the Marshals Service told the publication.

The cyber attack involved the DSNet system, which is designed to transport and house prisoners within the agency, Bureau of Prison and federal courts, and exposed the affected individuals' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and addresses.

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) security operations center informed USMS of the security breach, which was detected using a cyber monitoring tool, in December.

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FAA’s Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office
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FAA’s Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office
FAA's Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office

Pam Underwood, director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Spaceports, has said that her office is working with the U.S. Space Force to update management procedures for East and West-Coast ranges, SpaceNews reported Friday.

Underwood told attendees at a recent Global Spaceport Alliance meeting that the new office is developing an infrastructure grant plan for spaceports as well as revised launch and reentry regulations and other commercial launch promotion efforts.

“These are detailed activities that we take very seriously,” she said. “We’ve been able to talk with spaceports and get feedback about how this is impacting their daily activities and some of the economic and operational implications.”

The FAA recently established the Office of Spaceports in line with the Office of Commercial Space Transportation's (AST) reorganization plans and a 2018 reauthorization bill to improve licensing procedures as well as the commercial space transportation industry.

Underwood’s comments come after AST issued a launch site operators license to the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority to authorize space launches from Space Coast Regional Airport in Florida.

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Air Force Metal Technology Office Applies Modern Methods to Aircraft Repair
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Air Force Metal Technology Office Applies Modern Methods to Aircraft Repair
Air Force Metal Technology Office Applies Modern Methods to Aircraft Repair

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Metal Technology Office uses a variety of technologies to replace aircraft parts and support repair operations across the force.

The office's team applies additive manufacturing, heat treatment, welding and other methods to help repair teams maintain aircraft, Wright-Patterson AF Base said Friday.

“We are the subject matter experts for the Metals Technology career field, which involves additive manufacturing, machining, welding, heat treating, parts repair and fabrication,” said Che Dacalio, an engineering technician at the office.

Dacalio's team visits U.S. sites to look at the work of metal technology shops and deliver needed training. Major U.S. commands have a total of about 190 MT shops.

"We seek to maximize MT Shop utilization to sustain continuous Air Force flight and improve mission generation by supplying parts on demand, anytime, from almost any Air Force installation and at a fraction of the costs when compared to similar contracted efforts," the engineer added.

For example, the office helped U.S. Air Force Academy model an already-obsolete spinner backing plate of a T-51 trainer aircraft. Afterward, Dacalio arranged with an MT shop at Luke Air Force Base for the local production of new spinner backing plates.

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Space Force Tracking Reentry of China’s Long March 5B Rocket
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Space Force Tracking Reentry of China’s Long March 5B Rocket
Space Force Tracking Reentry of China's Long March 5B Rocket

Maj. Cody Chiles, spokesperson for the Combined Force Space Component Command, said the U.S. Space Force is monitoring the reentry of a Chinese Long March 5B rocket into the Earth's atmosphere, Spaceflight Now reported Saturday.

Chiles told the publication that the Space Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron is heading tracking activities for the 100-foot rocket’s core stage as it facilitates an unguided reentry after a week in orbit for a crew capsule mission.

The rocket, which was maneuvering around Earth in an elliptical orbit on Saturday, is expected to be the largest object to conduct an unguided reentry in decades, the report states.

According to the Aerospace Corp., reentry prediction errors of at least one minute could have critical impacts such as discrepancies in debris locations.

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U.S., Czech Republic Form Partnership to Promote 5G
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U.S., Czech Republic Form Partnership to Promote 5G
U.S., Czech Republic Form Partnership to Promote 5G

The United States and the Czech Republic have agreed to assist each other as both countries are implementing the use of 5G networks for public and economic applications. Both countries made this agreement last Wednesday as a joint declaration.

The partnership aims to support cross-border commerce and services, fortify the connection between global economies and secure communications networks of both nations from interference, the U.S. Embassy in Czech Republic said Thursday.

The agreement also constitutes assessments on supplier transparency, corporate ethics and commitment; and whether network suppliers are improperly under foreign influence. The U.S. and the Czech Republic also plan to further discuss and promote 5G security in NATO.

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Deirdre Walsh to Step Down as ODNI COO
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Deirdre Walsh to Step Down as ODNI COO
Deirdre Walsh to Step Down as ODNI COO

Deirdre Walsh, chief operating officer of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), is slated to depart from ODNI after more than two years in her current role, Politico reported Friday. Walsh will take on an undisclosed position after serving across roles of increasing responsibility at ODNI for more than a decade, the office confirmed Friday.

Prior to assuming the COO post in 2018, Walsh served as ODNI’s director of legislative affairs where she oversaw congressional coordination activities and advised senior leaders on related matters for four years.

She also spent time at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) as deputy director of congressional and public affairs and served as a liaison for the House of Representatives earlier in her career.

Walsh’s announcement comes after Nick Ciarlante, a staffer for Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., was appointed deputy to the ODNI COO this week.

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Noblis Names Christoph Wollersheim as Division Director of Advanced Analytics, Digital Services; Mile Corrigan Quoted
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Noblis Names Christoph Wollersheim as Division Director of Advanced Analytics, Digital Services; Mile Corrigan Quoted
Noblis Names Christoph Wollersheim as Division Director of Advanced Analytics, Digital Services; Mile Corrigan Quoted

Noblis has appointed Christoph Wollersheim as division director of Advanced Analytics and Digital Services for the company’s Federal Civilian Solutions mission area, Noblis announced on Monday.

“We are excited to have Christoph join our growing team and look forward to his contributions that will accelerate our ability to deliver the latest technologies and solutions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to enhance our government customer’s missions and transform their operations,” said Mile Corrigan, vice president, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions. 

In the role, Wollersheim will be responsible for driving the strategy and execution of Noblis’ innovative analytics and digital solutions to exploit, enable and protect data and infrastructure across federal civilian missions.  

Wollersheim will bring knowledge across a diverse client portfolio, including the IRS, CMS, U.S. Postal, and Census missions where Noblis is deploying advanced capabilities in fraud, cyber analytics, data science, machine learning, robotic process automation, agile software development and cloud computing.

Prior to joining Noblis, Wollersheim served as the global director of data analytics and insights at Arcadis, where he was globally responsible for Arcadis’ Advanced Analytics transformation, including developing skills and expertise in data analytics and extracting and monetizing value from Arcadis’ rich data sets across all business lines and regions.

He also developed powerful Analytics use cases with the goal of embedding Advanced Analytics components in most of Arcadis’ projects, developed a brand around Arcadis Analytics, both internally and externally and created a culture of collecting and sharing data.

At McKinsey & Co, Wollersheim served as an advanced analytics expert in travel, transport and logistics, where he led Advanced Analytics projects or workstreams for Travel, Transport and Logistics (TTL) clients, focusing on airlines, airports, container shipping and postal players.

He was also a leadership team member of the Strategic Network Analytics Center (SNAC). He led the development of Advanced Analytics capabilities and models, and helped network-based clients with adopting Advanced Analytics in their processes. He also served as an Expert for helping data-rich with the monetization of their data.

As senior lead data scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton, Wollersheim advised the US Government and international commercial clients on Advanced Analytics solutions in Aviation and Transportation. He he led multiple client project teams in parallel, was responsible for acquiring and negotiating new client engagements and for successfully implementing ongoing projects

Wollersheim earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Cologne, Germany; and a doctorate degree in business economics from the University of Münster, Germany. 

He was a postdoctoral researcher and a research scientist in MIT’s department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and has published numerous scientific articles in the civil sector.

“[Wollersheim] has significant experience in delivering customer-centric digital products and services and helping government organizations use data analytics to improve decision-making and better serve the public,” Corrigan added. 

About Noblis

Noblis is a dynamic science, technology, and strategy organization dedicated to creating forward-thinking technical and advisory solutions in the public interest. We bring the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise together in an environment of independence and objectivity to deliver enduring impact on federal missions. 

Noblis works with a wide range of government clients in the defense, intelligence and federal civil sectors. Together with our wholly owned subsidiary, Noblis ESI, we tackle the nation's toughest problems and apply advanced solutions to our clients' most critical missions.

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USDA Forest Service Awards $4M to Support Community Forest Projects; Vicki Christiansen Quoted
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USDA Forest Service Awards $4M to Support Community Forest Projects; Vicki Christiansen Quoted
USDA Forest Service Awards $4M to Support Community Forest Projects; Vicki Christiansen Quoted

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service has announced it will award $4 million to fund 10 community forest projects across eight states to support the creation, expansion and enhancement of community spaces, the agency reported on Monday.

“The program offers a unique opportunity for communities to increase public access, recreational opportunities, and other multiple uses,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “These investments will also help protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.”

USDA’s Forest Service will deliver the funding in the form of grants to local governments, tribes and qualified nonprofit organizations through its Community Forest Program. The funds will support working forests through sustainable management and timber and non-timber production.

In addition to the funds awarded through the grant program, awardees will collectively leverage an additional $8 million in matching funds. Since the Community Forest Program issued its first grants in 2012, the program has supported 66 community-driven projects across 23 states and territories and permanently conserved over 17,000 acres. 

The program has developed strong partnerships between the Forest Service, tribes, local governments and nonprofits. Of the funded projects, Hall Mountain Community Forest has received an award to expand access for land and water-based recreation.

Lakeville Community Forest was also awarded funds to support jobs in forest products, outdoor recreation, and guiding industries and maintains the values of the regions’ forest, wildlife and water resources. Quigg Island Community Forest was also among the awardees. 

The company provides local product to the mill, supporting jobs in the region, as well as allowing the town to enhance its outdoor recreation-based economy. Birch Ridge Community Forest works with forestland that protects water resources and expands trails for snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, trail-running and mountain biking.

Additionally, Mink Brook Community Forest was awarded under the Forest Service funds.  The company establishes connectivity for recreation trails, including the Appalachian Trail, and wildlife passage around downtown Hanover. Oak Hill Community Forest creates opportunities for agriculture and forestry, public recreation and outdoor education.

The Butte Falls Community Forest, Huntington Community Forest, Bear Ridge Community Forest and Rocky Branch Community Forest have also received support from the USDA Forest Service. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service announced additional funding, the agency reported in April 2020. The department stated that it will award $1.5 million in total to seven rural communities through a new Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation grant program.

“The Forest Service is taking advantage of this new program to invest in rural communities motivated to convert leftovers from their local sawmills or forestry operations into renewable wood energy,” said Christiansen.

In addition to the funds awarded through the new grant program, awardees will leverage an additional $3.4 million in matching funds. Together the seven communities are projected to save more than $250 thousand a year by using locally supplied, renewable wood energy. 

The program will also fund wood energy facilities, typically manufacturing or processing plants, including sawmills, that make products like building components, such as mass timber and other innovative offerings made from low-value or low-quality wood.

“The communities will save on energy costs and enhance energy resilience while sustainably managing their forests. These infrastructure investments immediately create permanent jobs for rural Americans determined to keep their communities vibrant and self-sufficient,” added Christiansen. 

About USDA

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

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Hexagon US Federal Completes $500K DoD CTTSO Laser Scanner Contract; Tammer Olibah Quoted
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Hexagon US Federal Completes $500K DoD CTTSO Laser Scanner Contract; Tammer Olibah Quoted
Hexagon US Federal Completes $500K DoD CTTSO Laser Scanner Contract; Tammer Olibah Quoted

Hexagon US Federal has been selected as the single award prime contractor for a Department of Defense (DoD) Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) laser scanner contract, a four-month contract for over $500,000, the company reported on Monday.

"We're proud to support CTTSO," said Tammer Olibah, Hexagon US Federal CEO. "This is an exciting moment for Hexagon, as our growing portfolio of solutions and capabilities, including Leica and Sigma Space, allows us to better serve government agencies in realizing critical missions."

Hexagon, as the prime contractor for the CTTSO contract, has provided testing, installation, training, documentation and assistance on selected robotic platforms. Hexagon's Sigma Space and Leica Geosystems teams have led the work under the contract.

The team has utilized Leica Geosystems technology. Hexagon combined its high-performance reality capture scanners with remotely operated robots to permit the CTTSO to rapidly gain situational awareness while also mitigating hazard exposure to personnel.

The contract work began in fall 2019 and was completed January 2020. Work took place primarily in Lanham, Maryland. Hexagon has a long history with geosystems and geospatial technology, which has been expanded upon with the CTTSO contract.

Rob Mott, vice president at Hexagon US Federal, has commented on how artificial intelligence could help defense and intelligence agencies collect and transmit geospatial intelligence data to soldiers on the battlefield amid challenging conditions. 

He discussed how AI could deliver situational awareness to soldiers in real time and help troops improve the generation of courses of action as well as augment monitoring and surveillance activities.

“By improving the ability to predict a target’s behavior based on analysis of historical patterns, current trends and dynamic factors (such as weather and adversarial behavior), AI can help determine the most suitable method and location for the deployment of assets for performing surveillance,” Mott wrote.

About Hexagon US Federal

Hexagon US Federal is part of Hexagon serving the U.S. federal market. Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications. Our technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

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Kakao Selects Rimini Street to Support Oracle Database Software; Tonny Yi, Hyung-wook Kim Quoted
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Kakao Selects Rimini Street to Support Oracle Database Software; Tonny Yi, Hyung-wook Kim Quoted

Kakao Selects Rimini Street to Support Oracle Database Software; Tonny Yi, Hyung-wook Kim Quoted

Rimini Street has announced that Kakao, a leading internet and mobile messaging company in South Korea, has switched to Rimini Street support for its Oracle Database, Rimini Street reported on Monday.

“Our strategy is to eventually move Kakao’s existing Oracle Database to an open source database such as MySQL, Maria, or PostgreSQL. Since switching to Rimini Street, we have reduced our database maintenance costs significantly, and my team is now free to focus on other initiatives to improve our business, like this database migration,” said Tonny Yi, head of Kakao’s data platform team.

Rimini Street will provide Kakao with premium, ultra-responsive support for its mission-critical Oracle Database instances for a minimum of 15 years from the time the company transitioned to Rimini Street support with no required upgrades.

Kakao has also reported savings of 50 percent in annual support fees. Kakao will also receive an improved level of support for its databases and control of its IT roadmap. The roadmap has more flexibility with its limited resources, enabling them to divert resource savings to more strategic initiatives across the company.

Kakao currently runs a brand and service portfolio, including mobile messaging with Kakao Talk, gaming, music, e-mail, search and news, providing services to thousands of people daily. Rimini Street, as Kakao’s thrid-party support service, will reduce the overall spend for their database support.

“We receive responsive service and expert support from our assigned Primary Support engineer and the team of Rimini Street specialists,” continued Yi.

Rimini Street has provided Kakao a Primary Support Engineer (PSE) who is supported by a team of technical experts with an average of 15 years’ experience in the client’s software environment. Rimini Street engineers will provide support for issues, including support for performance and interoperability issues.

The team will also deliver industry-leading service level agreement of 15-minute response times for critical Priority 1 cases. Rimini Street has provided its clients with uninterrupted support and business continuity, enabled by the company’s globally distributed workforce and its proprietary suite of systems and processes.

“It’s exciting to see Kakao, a company that drives innovation in the mobile internet and messaging space, choose Rimini Street’s support services. By switching to Rimini Street, the Kakao data platform team receives ultra-responsive support for its databases, is no longer reliant on a forced upgrade to retain full support and can execute on its open source transition strategy,” said Hyung-wook Kim, regional general manager, Korea, Rimini Street.

About Rimini Street, Inc.

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI) is a global provider of enterprise software products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products and a Salesforce partner. The Company offers premium, ultra-responsive and integrated application management and support services that enable enterprise software licensees to save significant costs, free up resources for innovation and achieve better business outcomes.

Over 2,000 global Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and other organizations from a broad range of industries rely on Rimini Street as their trusted application enterprise software products and services provider.

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