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Senate’s COVID-19 Relief Bill Earmarks $53M for CISA
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Senate’s COVID-19 Relief Bill Earmarks $53M for CISA

The Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed a COVID-19 pandemic relief package that would set aside $53 million to help the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) protect vaccine research from cyber threat actors, The Hill reported Tuesday.

“The proposal provides funding to remediate vulnerabilities and enhance Federal network security as a result of increased attacks targeting Federal networks for agencies involved in coronavirus vaccine development,” according to a summary of the proposed $1 trillion relief measure.

The proposed funding in the $1 trillion pandemic relief measure represents an increase from the $9.1 million in funds CISA received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that President Trump signed in March 2020. 

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Gov’t-Issued Report Recommends $1B in Allocations for Space Industrial Base; Gen. John Raymond Quoted
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Gov’t-Issued Report Recommends $1B in Allocations for Space Industrial Base; Gen. John Raymond Quoted

A report from over 120 participants in a NewSpace New Mexico virtual conference has recommended the government allow over $1 billion in existing Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA funding to support renewed space commodification efforts.

The report, titled “State of the Space Industrial Base 2020”, collates findings from the titular event in May 2020 and includes recommendations to “address the growing threats to U.S. space power” while ensuring the security of the overall space industrial base.

Recommendations detailed in the report include the promulgation of a whole-of-government approach known as “North Star” under the oversight of a presidential task force. The report also recommends the DoD to develop plans to drive space commerce and establish a collaborative framework with U.S. allies.

In addition, the report suggests the government accelerate efforts to fill over 10,000 STEM-related positions and the U.S. Space Force drive industry partnerships.

“A secure, stable, and accessible space domain is a vital interest to the United States,” said Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, in the report’s foreword. “The advantage America enjoys today stems from our space industrial base. We must work together to ensure that it remains a strong, effective, and  innovative partner in sustaining American space superiority.”

The virtual event was sponsored by the Space Force, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

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Guidehouse Wins Contract to Provide Identity Management System for DOS; Scott McIntyre, John Hunt Quoted
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Guidehouse Wins Contract to Provide Identity Management System for DOS; Scott McIntyre, John Hunt Quoted

Guidehouse has been awarded a ten-year contract with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to create an innovative Identity Management System and Credential Management System (IDMS) solution, the company reported on Wednesday. 

“As a long-standing partner and trusted advisor to the DOS, we are honored to lead this important effort for the agency,” said Scott McIntyre, CEO of Guidehouse and winner of the 2020 Wash100 Award Popular Vote. “With our unique approach combining best-in-class National Security and Advanced Solutions expertise we have assembled a strong team and innovative solution to help them in this exciting initiative.”

Guidehouse’s system will be compliant with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) for the Department and its customers. The company will utilize its expertise in National Security and Advanced Solutions to provide identity management strategy, project management, training and user support and quality and risk management services to the DoS. 

Guidehouse will integrate Appian Logic and CertiPath solutions with Intercede’s MyID to create the department’s next-generation IDMS. The company’s IDMS solution will enable the DoS to sustain One Badge operations. 

Additionally, Guidehouse will provide the DOS with subject matter expertise and counsel on Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), support Diplomatic Security’s Domestic Operations (DS/DO) and deploy a global IDMS.

“We take great pride in helping our clients solve their toughest challenges through the co-creation of scalable, innovative solutions to prepare them for future growth and success…We look forward to working alongside this team to support the DoS as their trusted advisor through the implementation of a full suite of identity services,” said John Hunt, Guidehouse partner and  advanced solutions leader. 

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public and commercial markets with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. We help clients address their toughest challenges with a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change, technology-driven innovation, and significant regulatory pressure. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, we help clients create scalable, innovative solutions that prepare them for future growth and success. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the company has more than 7,000 professionals in more than 50 locations. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies.

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Accenture Grants Merivis Funding for Veteran Workforce Training with Salesforce Platform; Kate Perez, George Franz Quoted
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Accenture Grants Merivis Funding for Veteran Workforce Training with Salesforce Platform; Kate Perez, George Franz Quoted

Accenture and Accenture Federal Services (AFS) have awarded Merivis, a veterans service nonprofit,  a $100,000 grant to provide Salesforce training programs for technology skills to enable military veterans to transition to the civilian workforce, the company reported on Tuesday.

“The training will equip veterans with critical skills to help them transition into in-demand technology jobs,” said Kate Perez, co-founder and executive director of Merivis. "This new grant supports our efforts to address rising unemployment and its impact on the veteran community by providing financial support to help us expand to San Antonio and continue our training programs.

Accenture’s grant will expand Merivis’ to expand its training and support approximately 75 veterans in the five-week Merivis Salesforce training program. The program will prepare veterans to become certified Salesforce administrators. 

Merivis’ training program will integrate Salesforce’s online learning platform with custom assignments for each student and includes one-on-one coaching, webinars and professional development skills training. Veterans selected for the program will be assigned mentors, professional development services and assistance with job placement. 

The Merivis training will teach veterans how to automate workflows and maintain an organization’s Salesforce integration. Merivis will also offer a more-advanced administrator training. 

In addition, Accenture will also provide pro bono advisory and technology support to enhance program outreach and build out capabilities to help Merivis create a more robust virtual community for veterans and engage the wider veteran community.

Army MG George Franz, AFS managing director and defense cybersecurity lead, said, “This technical training gives veterans even more marketable skills so they can deliver an even greater contribution to companies, like Accenture, that are looking to fill key positions. In fact, Accenture is on pace to reach a goal set in 2015 of hiring 5,000 veterans by the end of 2020.”

About Accenture Federal Services

Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture LLP, is a U.S. company with offices in Arlington, Virginia. Accenture’s federal business has served every cabinet-level department and 30 of the largest federal organizations. Accenture Federal Services transforms bold ideas into breakthrough outcomes for clients at defense, intelligence, public safety, civilian and military health organizations. 

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Potomac Officers Club Announces Army Brig. Gen. Rob Collins for Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event on Aug. 11th
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Potomac Officers Club Announces Army Brig. Gen. Rob Collins for Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event on Aug. 11th

Brig. Gen. Rob Collins, program executive officer for command, control, communications-tactical (PEO C3T) at the U.S. Army, will serve as keynote speaker during Potomac Officers Club’s Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event on August 11th.

Click here to register for the Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event.

In his role, Collins guides a workforce of more than 1,600 personnel who acquire, field and support the communications networks, radios, satellite systems and other hardware and software Soldiers require for information dominance on the battlefield.

Collins joined PEO C3T after serving as the PEO for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (IEW&S) since May 2019. As the PEO IEW&S, he provided technical and managerial oversight of the development, acquisition, fielding, and life cycle support of the Army’s portfolio of intelligence; electronic warfare; cyber; integrated base defense; force protection; position, navigation, and timing; biometrics; and target acquisition programs.

The Army is constantly trying to keep pace with an evolving adversary, which creates challenges in the combat environment with the readiness of our forces and their ability to regain readiness against an enemy that can challenge us across the board.

The key to innovating is the speed of integrating and exploiting innovative technology into the digital battlefield through investments such an open architecture, DevSecOps, next generation governance, and converged data platforms.

Success is defined by iterative solutions delivered at the speed of war. The Army is saving time and money by not being locked into proprietary systems; instead, they own the access or APIs needed to leverage and integrate the latest emerging technologies.

Collins will utilize his knowledge acquired from his career in the private sector to discuss intel and operation mission capabilities, the challenges and priorities of data in warfare and how defense has evolved from the traditional standards to meet the demand of emerging technologies.

Potomac Officers Club Announces Army Brig. Gen. Rob Collins for Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event on Aug. 11th

Do not miss this must see event. Click here to register for the Weaponizing Data Across the Digital Battlefield Virtual Event to learn more about defense operations as technology and the defense landscape continue to evolve.

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Pivot3 Launches Automation & Intelligence Features to Intelligence Engine Platform; Ben Bolles, Bruce Milne Quoted
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Pivot3 Launches Automation & Intelligence Features to Intelligence Engine Platform; Ben Bolles, Bruce Milne Quoted

Pivot3 has launched new automation and intelligence enhancements to its Acuity software platform to address the system administration, maintenance and availability challenges within large-scale video surveillance deployments, the company reported on Wednesday. 

“The sheer scale of these deployments presents new management challenges for security personnel to keep systems up-to-date and operating at peak performance and efficiency. Pivot3 is meeting this growing challenge with expanded automation and intelligence capabilities to provide customers with peace of mind, knowing their system is operating at its utmost level of resilience and performance,” said Ben Bolles, vice president of product management, Pivot3.

Pivot3’s intelligent system health and best practices analysis features will reduce cost, provide constant system uptime in large multi-petabyte environments and enable customers to automate end-to-end system life-cycle management processes. 

The company’s platform will be built upon Pivot3 Intelligence Engine, which has integrated automated system management capabilities such as performance optimization, data protection, auto-healing, system health monitoring and analytics that are shared to Pivot3’s Support Cloud. 

Pivot3’s system will automate systems administration and maintenance tasks to reduce operating expenses and enable organizations to expand and improve their physical security posture with fewer specialized IT skills.

Pivot3’s Intelligence Engine will feature system-level upgrade orchestration and best practices analyzer for large-scale environments. The Upgrade Manager will perform end-to-end system updates by automating system administration tasks to improve life-cycle management of large-scale systems and reduce required specialized skills to run these sophisticated deployments. 

The Health and Best Practices Analyzer will automatically verify system health and detect anomalies to lower the risks and liabilities associated with video evidence recording and access. The system will also ensure that best practices are integrated. 

“Pivot3’s differentiated expertise in automating the management of very large, highly resilient infrastructure deployments reduces the dependence on specialized IT skills and ultimately lowers cost of ownership. This is very important to our extensive list of federal, state and local government customers, both in civilian and defense agencies,” said Bruce Milne, Pivot3 CMO and VP of Business Development. 

About Pivot3

Pivot3 is the leading provider of intelligent hyperconverged infrastructure solutions for video surveillance, video analytics, VDI and mixed workloads. Pivot3’s solutions provide security, resilience and management simplicity at scale for customers’ mission-critical environments. With thousands of customers in 64 countries, and deployments in education, hospitality, transportation, government, defense, healthcare, gaming, financial services and retail, Pivot3 allows IT to manage complexity at scale through intelligence and automation.

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OFPP Chief Michael Wooten on Frictionless Acquisition
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OFPP Chief Michael Wooten on Frictionless Acquisition

Michael Wooten, administrator of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Federal Procurement Policy, said his office is working to achieve frictionless acquisition in an effort to reduce complexity and address the challenges facing agencies and contractors when it comes to the procurement of goods and services, Federal News Network reported Tuesday.

"We are really focused on reducing the time between when a person conjures up a need and when they get what they want," Wooten told the network in an interview. “We think the opportunities for friction are significant because of the scale and scope of the federal acquisition system, the complexity of our requirements can be mind boggling when you look at some of the systems under development, whether it’s the Defense or Energy departments or whomever, and then the myriad of systems and processes that support this.”

Frictionless acquisition is one of the cross-agency goals under the President’s Management Agenda and promotes process improvement, modernizes the collection and analysis of acquisition data and assists acquisition professionals as they work to improve customer service and mission support by leveraging technological advancements.

“We need to look at frictionless acquisition as a mindset that helps us do just-in-time delivery for commercial items when just-in-time is possible, and manage customer expectations when just-in-time is not possible,” Wooten said. "The notion of frictionless acquisition has bloomed and expanded to reducing friction among all stakeholder interactions."

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Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty Unveils Army Cyber Command’s Three-Phase Plan for Information Warfare
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Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty Unveils Army Cyber Command’s Three-Phase Plan for Information Warfare

Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, head of Army Cyber Command, outlined a 10-year modernization effort to prepare the Army for information warfare and support the service’s multi domain operations concept., C4ISRNET reported Tuesday.

Fogarty and Bryan Sparling, a retired Army colonel who serves as ARCYBER's information warfare transformation adviser, co-wrote the modernization plan published in the summer edition of the Cyber Defense Review.

The multiyear plan consists of three phases and the initial phase seeks to “achieve irreversible momentum toward full-spectrum, integrated IW capability” by mid-2021. These include the relocation of ARCYBER headquarters from Fort Belvoir in Virginia to Fort Gordon in Georgia and the formation of 12 expeditionary cyber teams within the 915th Cyber Warfare Battalion to achieve full operating capability.

Fogarty and Sparling also offered information on the functions of the Cyber Protection Brigade, 1st Information Operations Command and Offensive Cyber Operations Signal Battalion.

Phase 2 will occur between 2021 and 2027 and will focus on experimentation and innovation to address operational challenges posed by emerging technologies. The authors presented their specific plans for the Information Warfare Operations Center, Military Intelligence Brigade and modernization of Network Command, among others.

The third phase will kick off in 2028 and will focus on the deployment of information warfare capabilities in support of multi domain operations. Under this phase, the Army should be able to carry out intelligence and counter-adversary reconnaissance, succeed in unconventional and information warfare and demonstrate credible deterrent.

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DHS S&T Develops Tool for Explosive Threat Modeling
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DHS S&T Develops Tool for Explosive Threat Modeling

The Department of Homeland (DHS) Security’s Science and Technology (DHS S&T) Directorate has launched a modeling effort to protect states and local communities from terrorists armed with explosives.

S&T’s Chemical Security Analysis Center is working to create a tool that would allow users to model explosive threats and simulate possible impacts on public areas, DHS said Thursday.

The Homeland Explosive Consequence and Threat or HExCAT modeling tool is designed to simulate how explosive threats can affect specific public events.

“HExCAT is a holistic risk assessment that informs decision-makers like governors and mayors how to invest in security, plan for operations and mitigation and make important decisions for securing public spaces,” said David Reed, a chemist with CSAC’s chemical threat characterization team.

DHS S&T plans to launch HExCAT in the middle of next year. HExCAT will also be part of the Countermeasure Assessment and Planning Tool, a set of models designed to help government entities analyze chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

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U.S. Space Force, U.K. Launch Global Pitch Competition for Space Tech; Will Roper Quoted
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U.S. Space Force, U.K. Launch Global Pitch Competition for Space Tech; Will Roper Quoted

The U.S. Space Force and the U.K. military have agreed to jointly fund a competition that encourages startups to propose and develop space technologies.

Participants of the International Space Pitch Day will get the chance to win part of a $1M pool allotted for space technology investment, Los Angeles Air Force Base said Monday.

The competition seeks technologies that would allow the U.S. and the U.K. to visualize joint space operations, analyze space weather impacts, identify satellite systems relevant to a commander’s needs, verify space domain awareness and observe multi-national situational awareness in space.

“Now, with International Space Pitch Day, we are once again expanding our opportunities for partnership with international companies bringing pioneering capabilities to our Space Force professionals,” said Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

Companies from across the globe may enter the competition and pitch their own concepts. Starburst Aerospace Company will provide mentorship for the International Space Pitch Day as an industrial partner.

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