Federal Information Technology Reform Act Symposium Series The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) represents the most comprehensive overhaul of Government IT since Clinger-Cohen. OMB is preparing implementation guidance for the requirements of the law, however, each Federal agency will need to develop their own implementation policies and processes. FITARA changes the Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) role si...

Department of the Army Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT) is holding an Industry Day on May 28 to engage industry and academia in discussion on a Cyber Innovation Challenge that leads to an OTA-based funding award. The Industry Day addresses how the Army plans to use the Section 845 Prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) authority to access new cyberspace capabilities that build upon, re-use and augment...

Despite the extensive global attention and resources to countering national and international terrorism, Australia's national security organizations face the ongoing challenges of preventing and responding to the continually evolving national security environment. In the last few months alone, the emergence of ISIS and introduction of new national security and anti-terror legislation continues to place a spotlight on Team Australia's borders,...

Opening with the theme of risk and threat management, the conference emphasised the importance of engagement and communication by bringing together a broad range of stakeholders who actively exchanged ideas, initiatives and opinions around optimising student security. Although campus and student security it is not an area that is easily managed, the conference showcased the proactive initiatives and ideas being implemented with a series of cas...

ADAPT Open Meeting Agile and EVM in DoD: Progress and Challenges April 17, 2015 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM Navy League Building2300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA Continental breakfast at 8:00 AM Purpose A discussion with two senior DoD leaders of the changing IT policy towards adoption of Agile, and the challenges of applying EVM to acquisitions that are now employing Agile methods. Speakers DoD IT Policy Update - Efficiencies and Acquisition Reform...

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." - John Muir Digital connectedness makes us vulnerable. Cyber threats are one of the defining perils of our time. They threaten national and economic security and are aimed at governments, corporations, organizations of all types, and individuals. Personal devices, shopping, entertainment, telecommunications, manufacturing, supply chains, enterp...

Bending the Cost Curve: PlugFest PLUS In a June 13, 2014 speech at the Atlantic Council, Dr. William LaPlante, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions, announced that the Air Force is launching an initiative to improve acquisition processes by "Bending the Cost Curve." (Watch Video) He explained that Air Force Acquisition processes are too rigid and too slow to keep pace with emerging global technologies. The result is higher...

Hosted by Defence SA, this two-day strategic event will look at Innovation, Ingenuity, and Industry best-practice in developing defence capability.

As Northern Australia continues to establish itself as a key military and strategic region for the ADF and its partners, further investment is needed to support the multitude of major defence projects and the necessary infrastructure required for their operation. The north has proven to be an attractive and resourceful location for defence/industry with close links to the Asia Pacific, a strong economy, existing military presence & capabil...

In the wake of increased international defence spending, hostile territorial disputes and an overall shift in the balance of power in the Asia Pacific region comes a need for a united Australian Defence Force and an aligned, cooperative and consultative defence/industry partnership. The procurement of non-military equipment and infrastructure will continue to become increasingly prevalent in supporting the personnel and operational requirement...