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Navy Uses Digital Model to Test USS Abraham Lincoln Systems
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Navy Uses Digital Model to Test USS Abraham Lincoln Systems


Navy Uses Digital Model to Test USS Abraham Lincoln Systems

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command has completed a digital model that supports virtual tests with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. The Digital Lincoln is a digital twin that virtually mirrors five interconnected systems the ship is scheduled to receive in fiscal year 2020, the Navy said Wednesday.

The command is adopting a model-analyze-build approach to virtually test technologies before production, transitioning from the old design-build-test methodology. The new approach also adheres to the Department of Defense Digital Transformation Strategy.

“Digital engineering is vital in modernizing how we design, develop, deliver, operate and sustain systems,” said Pat Sullivan, executive director at NAVWAR.

The digital twin helped NAVWAR identify potential integration issues of the five systems: Distributed Common Ground System, Navy Integrated Tactical Environmental System, Maritime Tactical Command and Control, Global Command and Control System and Agile Core Services.

These systems perform tasks related to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, command and control, mission planning and connectivity. NAVWAR will uses lessons learned from Digital Lincoln to develop the digital twin model of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower or CVN 69.

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John Shanahan: JAIC’s Funding Issues Limit AI R&D Efforts
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John Shanahan: JAIC’s Funding Issues Limit AI R&D Efforts


John Shanahan: JAIC's Funding Issues Limit AI R&D Efforts
Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan

Lt. Gen. John Shanahan, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center’s director and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, said that reliable funding is a challenge as he seeks to recruit military and industry experts for AI research and development, USNI News reported Wednesday.

Shanahan told the publication at a U.S. Naval Institute event that operating the Department of Defense’s AI center under a continuing resolution limits the issuance of new contracts and keeps spending at the level of the previous year.

“There are a lot of people who want to go very quickly with A.I. but we live by five-year budget cycles,” he said.

Missy Cummings, director of the Humans and Autonomy Laboratory and Duke Robotics, added that part of the challenge is how the government lags behind Russia and China as well as its own commercial sector when it comes to AI efforts.

Shanahan noted that he expects AI applications to evolve from simple logistical tasks to more complex actions such as missile system operations and medical treatments over time.

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VA IG: Dept’s IT Office Must Implement Mobile Configuration Mgmt, App Blacklisting Procedures
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VA IG: Dept’s IT Office Must Implement Mobile Configuration Mgmt, App Blacklisting Procedures


VA IG: Dept's IT Office Must Implement Mobile Configuration Mgmt, App Blacklisting Procedures

The Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General has found that while the agency’s Office of Information Technology enforced proper mobile security measures, there were certain issues in the fortification of its network infrastructure.

The IG report, released on Tuesday, states that OIT didn’t address vulnerabilities in configuration management and failed to implement blacklisting procedures for mobile applications that could lead to malicious attacks and loss of data to unsafe cloud environments.

According to the audit team’s findings, OIT doesn’t implement configuration management tools to handle automated updates for mobile devices and applications. The Government Accountability Office’s Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual states that such controls “provide reasonable assurance that changes to information system resources are authorized and systems are configured and operated securely and as intended.”

The OIT director of mobile technology and endpoint security engineering noted that the office didn’t implement blacklisting due to the amount of workload associated with the vetting process.

OIT handles over 50,000 VA devices through a centralized, enterprise-wide Mobile Device Management system.

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Interior Dept Seeks New Cloud-Based Electronic Record System
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Interior Dept Seeks New Cloud-Based Electronic Record System


Interior Dept Seeks New Cloud-Based Electronic Record System

The Department of Interior intends to purchase a new cloud-based system for the management of electronic records. DOI said Monday in a FedBizOpps notice it plans to procure this system from a commercial company on a software-as-a-service basis.

The department aims to fully transition electronic records management before the end of 2022, ensure consistency in records retrieval, address policy-related requirements and standardize schedules for records retention.

The new SaaS product would replace DOI’s existing eMail and Enterprise Records and Document Management System. Interested firms may submit responses through Nov 20.

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Margaret Weichert Pledges to Identify Tech Modernization Gaps
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Margaret Weichert Pledges to Identify Tech Modernization Gaps


Margaret Weichert Pledges to Identify Tech Modernization Gaps
Margaret Weichert

Margaret Weichert, deputy director of management at the Office of Management and Budget, has announced her intent to validate gaps that hinder the government from updating technology policies, Federal Times reported Wednesday.

“While I’m here, I’m going to continue to look for those real cases where we have a use case that we need to get something done in government and there’s something structural in the way,” said Weichert.

She asked the industry to identify areas that will help the government optimize its processes. In addition, Weichert cited that information technology modernization efforts should incorporate agility, service quality and customer focus.

“If we only think about modernizing technology … we’ll fix something for a time that will then be outpaced by change in technology in the broader community.”

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Emily Murphy Highlights GSA Data-Driven Progress
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Emily Murphy Highlights GSA Data-Driven Progress


Emily Murphy Highlights GSA Data-Driven Progress
Emily Murphy

Emily Murphy, administrator of the General Services Administration and a 2019 Wash100 Award winner, presented about the agency’s use of data to inform decision making during the 2019 ACT-IAC ImagineNation ELC conference, FCW reported Wednesday.

GSA’s acquisition dashboard has so far helped GSA quantify acquisition progress including the Federal Acquisition Service’ record-setting performance this year, she noted.

Murphy said GSA’s procurement vehicles have generated $68 billion in total sales, exhibiting a 23 percent rise from 2017. The administrator also said the agency may spend up to $150 million on FAS’ system modernization due to increasing earnings. The agency has also been using data analytics to support decision making.

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Rep. Ro Khanna Seeks ‘Clear Ethical Guidelines’ for Biometrics Use
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Rep. Ro Khanna Seeks ‘Clear Ethical Guidelines’ for Biometrics Use


Rep. Ro Khanna Seeks 'Clear Ethical Guidelines' for Biometrics Use
Rep. Ro Khanna

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is calling on Congress to mandate federal agencies’ implementation of “clear ethical guidelines” for using biometric technologies to ensure that constitutional rights are protected, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

He also recommended that Congress establish a task force comprised of industry and academic professionals to inform the development of standards aimed at ensuring that biometric systems are not used with discriminatory intent or for profiling activities. In addition, Khanna said the government should terminate the use of biometric technologies that “have a disparate impact” on race, gender or religion until the ethical guidelines are implemented.

“I think there should be a federal standard,” he noted. “But it has to be a thoughtful one. And it can’t just be a reflexive standard that doesn’t have sufficient input.”

Khanna’s comments come after Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., urged the Transportation Security Administration to stop its pilot facial recognition program until formal regulations are implemented.

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Perspecta Labs’ SecureSmart Designated a 2019 Cyber Catalyst Solution; Petros Mouchtaris Quoted
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Perspecta Labs’ SecureSmart Designated a 2019 Cyber Catalyst Solution; Petros Mouchtaris Quoted


Perspecta Labs' SecureSmart Designated a 2019 Cyber Catalyst Solution; Petros Mouchtaris Quoted
Petros Mouchtaris

Perspecta announced on Thursday that Perspecta Labs SecureSmart critical infrastructure monitoring solution has been designated a 2019 Cyber CatalystSM solution. Only 17 solutions have received designation out of more than 150 cybersecurity products that were submitted.

“We are incredibly honored to have SecureSmart included among this elite selection of cyber solutions,” said Petros Mouchtaris, Ph.D., president of Perspecta Labs. “Through this designation, we hope to build broader awareness of our robust critical infrastructure solution line and bring our proven cybersecurity awareness, monitoring and assessment capabilities to customers across all markets and industries.”

The SecureSmart critical infrastructure solution line is a collection of industry-changing technologies to defend critical infrastructure and smart energy systems with comprehensive integrated operations, engineering, security monitoring, anomaly detection, protection, analysis and troubleshooting capabilities for energy management systems (EMS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and distribution automation (DA) field networks.

The rigorous, two-step evaluation process included a deep dive into eligible products and services the insurers felt merited review, as well as demonstrations to participating insurers. Each solution was evaluated against six key criteria, including reduction of cyber risk, key performance metrics, viability, efficiency, flexibility and differentiation.

In its inaugural year, the Cyber Catalyst by MarshSM program is designed to help organizations make well informed decisions about cybersecurity products and services to manage their cyber risk. More than 150 cybersecurity products and services were submitted and only 17 solutions received the designation this year.

About Perspecta Inc.

At Perspecta (NYSE: PRSP), we question, we seek and we solve. Perspecta brings a diverse set of capabilities to our U.S. government customers in defense, intelligence, civilian, health care and state and local markets. Our 270+ issued, licensed and pending patents are more than just pieces of paper, they tell the story of our innovation.

With offerings in mission services, digital transformation and enterprise operations, our team of 14,000 engineers, analysts, investigators and architects work tirelessly to not only execute the mission, but build and support the backbone that enables it. Perspecta was formed to take on big challenges.

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ECS Awarded $45M Contract to Lead IT Modernization Efforts for US Mint; Wash100 Award Winner George Wilson Quoted
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ECS Awarded $45M Contract to Lead IT Modernization Efforts for US Mint; Wash100 Award Winner George Wilson Quoted


ECS Awarded $45M Contract to Lead IT Modernization Efforts for US Mint; Wash100 Award Winner George Wilson Quoted
George Wilsonr

The U.S. Mint’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Information Technology Directorate (ITD) has awarded ECS a $45 million task order to lead IT modernization efforts, ECS announced on Thursday.

The U.S Mint is charged by the United States Department of the Treasury to modernize its infrastructure, optimize service delivery, and update its core applications across U.S. Mint headquarters and regional branches.

The U.S. Mint’s Information Technology Service Provisioning and Operations (ITSPO) task order aligns with the U.S. Mint Strategic Roadmap to ensure the modernization of the Mint’s digital footprint, eliminate IT redundancies and support the Mint’s core values of service, quality and integrity.

“ECS has a longstanding reputation for establishing strong partnerships with our customers,” said George Wilson, president of ECS and 2019 Wash100 Award winner. “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Treasury Department by helping to drive new technology and processes throughout the U.S. Mint.”

ECS will provide comprehensive technology support for the U.S. Mint’s ITSPO task order, including IT operations, application management and development, cloud migration, and service delivery optimization.

ECS will leverage its experience providing customers with IT modernization and cloud-based solutions, data center operations, agile software development, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) integration.

“The U.S. Mint’s ITSPO task order involves a full spectrum of IT operational, application, and process optimization,” said John Heneghan, senior vice president of enterprise solutions at ECS. “As a longtime partner of the U.S. Treasury, we are excited to support the U.S. Mint in their IT modernization initiatives.”

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.

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Speedcast Extends Fleet Contract with Major Norwegian Ship Owner to Deliver Increased VSAT Connectivity; Athina Vezyri Quoted
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Speedcast Extends Fleet Contract with Major Norwegian Ship Owner to Deliver Increased VSAT Connectivity; Athina Vezyri Quoted


Speedcast Extends Fleet Contract with Major Norwegian Ship Owner to Deliver Increased VSAT Connectivity; Athina Vezyri Quoted

Speedcast International Limited announced on Thursday that the company has signed a multi-year fleet contract extension with a major Norwegian ship owner to deliver significantly increased VSAT connectivity along with the latest Iridium Certus back-up solution.

“This is a long-time Speedcast customer with a desire to take advantage of Speedcast’s high-speed VSAT service for increased bandwidth and faster speeds,” said Athina Vezyri, executive vice president of Maritime for Speedcast.

Speedcast will install its industry-leading SIGMA Gateway network management platform across the entire fleet of over 40 vessels. SIGMA Gateway seamlessly manages Speedcast’s global VSAT, L-Band, 4G/LTE and Wi-Fi services, bringing powerful capabilities to support vessels with advanced technology requirements.

“The upgrade will increase operational effectiveness and facilitate the customer’s vision of improved welfare for onboard crew, while SIGMA Gateway will support the company’s network management requirements — today and in the years to come,” Vezyri added.

About Speedcast International Limited

Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the world’s largest remote communications and IT services provider. The company delivers critical communications solutions through its multi-access technology, multi-band and multi-orbit network of 80+ satellites and an interconnecting global terrestrial network, bolstered by extensive local support from 40+ countries. Speedcast is uniquely positioned as a strategic partner, tailoring communications, IT and digital solutions to meet customer needs and enable business transformation.

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