government

Want to sell computers to the Marine Corps?

The Marine’s are looking for a few good vendors that want to sell them computers. They will even let you help develop the procurement procedure according to this request for information.

The Marine Corps plans on creating a contract vehicle for procuring desktops, laptops and servers. The plan will include procuring rugged and non-rugged computer in an efficient and cost effective way. The plan is to establish a common set of hardware platforms and the method in which those systems will be procured. Sounds like whoever helps establish the procurement procedure will be selling the Marines some hardware..

Not to be left out of environmental concerns computers must be manufactured and operate in environmentally friendly way. Whoever sells them the computers must also provide an efficient method of returning old and broken equipment.

The Marine Corps will hold an industry day conference to discuss the contract at 9:00 a.m. on April 16. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., will host the conference at the Jacobs Building, Quantico Center 1, 3850 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, Va.

All vendors interested in participating in the conference must notify Judy Campbell at 703-432-5096 or Theresa Minton at 703-432-5104 by 4 p.m. on April 13.

All submissions must be entered by April 30.

-j

Cybersecurity bill before Senate for approval

A cybersecurity bill is before the Senate for approval. The bill, if passed, would impose standards on the public and private sectors and certifications for cybersecurity professionals.

The legislation is aimed streamlining cybersecurity authorities, promoting public awareness and enhanci cybersecurity cooperation between government and industry, The bill would also increase cybersecurity education and research and development efforts.

So far as networks are concerned the bill would give the new national cybersecurity adviser the right to disconnect any network deemed critical to national security or the US infrastructure from the internet. This would only happen if the network is considered at risk for attack.

According to the article:

The senators also called for a public awareness campaign, a review of the laws that apply to cybersecurity and a report on identity management and civil liberties. They would also further involve the private sector in cybersecurity efforts through the establishment of:

* A group that would certify that products purchased by the federal government meet cybersecurity standards.
*
A panel of outside experts to advise the president on cybersecurity.
*
A public-private clearinghouse for information sharing on cyberthreats.
*
State and regional cybersecurity centers to help small and medium-sized businesses.

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. In the past couple of months I have mentioned several cybersecurity attacks, some successful and other networks at risk, in both the private and public sectors. It is a natural progression of this county’s government to step in when business, organizations, and government branches refuse to police themselves and protect their constituents and customers from harm.

On the brighter side a whole new market is opening up for security professionals and software. This is going to happen at the collegiate level as well as in the development of new security software. If you are looking for a career or career change this is an area that you should investigate.

-j