911

Cyber Intelligence: E-911Systems – AHigh Value Cyber Target

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The implications of cyber attacks are getting more and more attention as of late and for good reason. Last week at the Government Security Conference, Gordon Snow the assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division added to the many reasons for concern.

In his comments Snow acknowledged concerns over cyber attacks that target the E-911 systems and the entire emergency first responder infrastructure. While these potential targets have been a concern for years, recent concerns about multi-modal cyber attack by terrorist have heightened concerns. Keep reading →

Published April 9, 2012 at 12:45 PM

Best Of 2011: Ten Years After 9/11 – Three Perspectives On Homeland Security’s Mission

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This is one in a series of articles highlighting Breaking Gov’s best stories of the past year. As we reflected on our 2011 coverage of innovation, technology and management amongst the federal agencies and workforce, this was among the stories that stood out as delivering key insight into the top issues facing today’s government community.

While many publications paid tribute to 9/11 this year, none explored the resulting creation of the Department of Homeland Security — and the largest U.S. government reorganization in half a century — better than Dan Verton. Dan succeeded in tracking down and interviewing three men who were instrumental in the birth and evolution of DHS: the nation’s first Secretary of Homeland Security; the deputy for counterterrorism on the National Security Council, and the CIA’s deputy director of intelligence. Keep reading →

Published December 29, 2011 at 12:00 PM

American Jobs Act: What The Nation Needs And Veterans Have Earned

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COMMENTARY: Nearly three million men and women have volunteered to serve in our armed forces since the attacks of September 11, 2001. These soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen left their families and risked their lives to fight for our freedoms overseas. They should not have to fight for a job when they come home.

That is why the president has championed the American Jobs Act, and why the Congress should pass his plan with urgent speed. It will help our veterans, who are just back from war, find a job. And it will give strength and stability to American families and communities. Keep reading →

Published October 7, 2011 at 12:38 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #4 Success Depends On Relationships, ‘Super System’

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If the experiences of DHS and ODNI are any guide, the success or failure of reorganization may depend on dynamics and relationships that transcend the immediate borders of the new department or agency.

A new government enterprise does not exist in a vacuum, but must operate within a super system of sister departments, White House councils and czars, and congressional oversight
committees. While these institutional actors are rarely taken into account by those who design a new agency, they can have a profound impact on those charged with building and running the organization. Keep reading →

Published September 2, 2011 at 3:00 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #3 Process Oversight, Effect Key To Mission

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While in the throes of merging multiple agencies and thousands of employees nearly a decade ago, DHS and ODNI leaders became so focused on the mission — keeping Americans safe — that key management functions often fell through the proverbial cracks and ultimately weakened capabilities.

Management, it appears, is central to mission. That’s Lesson Three in a report released this week by the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton detailing four lessons from the creation of and subsequent problems within the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Keep reading →

Published September 1, 2011 at 4:30 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #2 Leaders Must Embed Vision, Values

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The experience of DHS and ODNI suggest leaders must imbed the vision and values in the new organization for it to gain traction and succeed, but that doing so might rank among the most challenging tasks.

Intangible elements, or the “soft stuff,” such as communicating a new culture and identity while remaining sensitive to tradition, are often the toughest to tackle. Keep reading →

Published August 31, 2011 at 4:30 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #1 – Chain Of Command Can’t Stand Alone

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An in-depth analysis of flaws in DHS and ODNI reorganization efforts shows both would have benefited from strong leadership to articulate the mission and the reasons for change, guide the transformation, and meld together disparate entities and management approaches.

Essentially, chain of command is necessary, but not sufficient. Keep reading →

Published August 30, 2011 at 4:00 PM

9/11: Four Management Lessons For the Future

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Along with the obvious turmoil and political strife caused by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the historic tragedy set in motion the most significant government reorganizations in decades in the homeland defense and intelligence communities.

The effects of the reorganizations continue to reverberate today. For that reason, the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton released a report Tuesday detailing lessons from those efforts that may guide the Obama Administration in government reform and reorganization efforts currently under way. Keep reading →

Published August 29, 2011 at 5:00 PM