Monthly Archives: November 2011
NASA now seeking candidates for Astronaut positions
If you have dreamed of joining the Astronaut Corps, now is the time to apply. NASA is continuing space exploration programs that will include missions beyond low Earth orbit
NASA, the world’s leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission demands. Creativity. Ambition. Teamwork. A sense of daring. And a probing mind. That’s what it takes to join NASA, one of the best places to work in the Federal Government.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a need for Astronaut Candidates to support the International Space Station (ISS) Program and future deep space exploration activities.
Apply for the Astronaut Candidate Program at http://astronauts.nasa.gov/
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FYI Tidbits // In the intelligence community, a cosmic shift ~ to the cloud and beyond?
(Federal Computer Week) Serious change is afoot in the intelligence community. Some of the most opaque federal organizations are doing what might have sounded crazy five years ago: They’re moving their classified, sensitive information — some of it, at least — off their own servers and into the cloud. Moreover, they will be sharing that information with one another. “They” are a powerful group formerly known as the Quad: the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office and National Security Agency. Now that the CIA has joined the consortium, they are known as the Quint.
Read more/learn more: http://tinyurl.com/7ndaq6r
Q&A ~ Am a graduating U.S. student looking for opens doors in federal agencies
Question: I am slated to graduate from college Spring 2012, and I would really like to enter into the field of Intel analysis. I’ve seen some of your posts about your company and read that one post about a young person inquiring about how to break into the field as well as the interview video of you describing your career.
First off I thought it was very interesting and informative: You and many others in my internet scouring have suggested joining the military. Unfortunately I have had a history of asthma and allergies (I’m currently taking a year’s worth of allergy shots), so military is not an option.
Looking through your sites job openings, most seem to demand some experience, and although I know government agencies within the IC hire fresh college students, I would like to know what are my odds of getting in despite not having a military background.
Answer: If a medical condition prohibits from military service it is going to be a challenge but an intelligence career is indeed doable.
Here should be your battle plan:
Best regards, Bill Golden CEO, IntelligenceCareers.com USADefenseIndustryJobs.com USAJobZoo.com
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Have a question? Ask our career advisor at http://usajobsblog.com/ask-a-career-question
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When is a cloud just a dream ~~ rather than a savory Apple pie?
by Bill Golden CEO, USAJobZoo.com and IntelligenceCareers.com
Apple invested $300 million to build a cloud center at an internet and highway crossroads in North Carolina. The dream was that the cloud would bring jobs and growth to a community hard hit by foreign competition.
Certainly the cloud makes for a good enabler of telework and can help lower costs for businesses that are information-intensive.
There are costs, however. Local investments in such technology does not mean that there will be local jobs.
Apple got a $46 million state tax break in North Carolina to build one of its new cloud centers. The promise was that at least 250 jobs would be created.
So far the actual job count is perhaps 50 employed, or $920,000 in tax breaks per job. Combine state tax breaks with a local 50% reduction in Apple’s property taxes and it soon seems that Carolinians are paying their own wages via statewide taxes to work at the Apple cloud facility.
The future of jobs as one industry analyst frames such investments: “… in the newer digital economy, capital investments that a generation ago would have created thousands of new positions often equal only a handful today, with computers and software processing the heavy lifting while the key programming is often done by engineers back in Silicon Valley.”
The cloud also is a two-edged sword. So while the cloud enables telework and can help lower costs for businesses that are information-intensive, it can also be the vehicle for transferring work to whereever the work can be done at a lesser cost.
For communities such as the one in North Carolina that hosts the Apple cloud facility, the cloud may well cost them more jobs than it will create unless they find a way to harness the power of the cloud rather than just have it live in their backyard while paying for its existence through tax credits and lost state tax revenue which they will pay through other forms of taxation.
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SCIP DC Metro Chapter Presents eLearning WEBINAR ~ Increase Your Intelligence ROI
Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP)
A SCIP eLearning WEBINAR/Networking Chapter Meeting
Exclusive to Onsite Attendees ~~ Your onsite attendance is necessary to enjoy the Webinar.
Increase Your Intelligence ROI—Before It’s Too Late
Tim Powell – President, The Knowledge Agency®
Venue Host
Northrop Grumman Information Systems
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Description
During an economic downturn, intelligence is more valuable than ever – and more vulnerable. Learn how decision-makers – your CI clients – use and evaluate intelligence products and providers. Learn how to use the Knowledge Value Chain® to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of an intelligence process or product – and to improve its ROI as a result.
Presenter
Tim Powell has served over 100 corporate, entrepreneurial, NGO, and government clients during a consulting career that spans four decades. He recently completed a 12-year assignment as an external intelligence liaison for a global Fortune 100 consumer goods corporation. For the past year he has focused on strategic issues related to health care.
Tim has been active in SCIP for almost two decades, serving as a chapter founder/leader (New York City), Board member, and frequent presenter. He is a winner of the Fellows and Catalyst Awards, and recently served as Chair of the Council of Fellows.
His books include Analyzing Your Competition and The Knowledge Value Chain® Workbook. He has an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Location (Directions Below)
Northrop Grumman Information Systems
7575 Colshire Drive, Room: 2213W McLean, VA 22101 (703) 713-4000
Please use parking garage behind the building and enter the building through the elevated pedestrian walkway on level 5 of the parking garage. Once inside the building, turn right after the coffee shop; the conference room will be on your right.
Directions
- From Reagan National Airport
Take the George Washington Parkway North approximately 6 miles to Route 123 South, McLean exit. Exit onto Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd.). Travel south for approximately 4 miles to traffic light at Colshire Drive. Turn left onto Colshire Drive. Follow to traffic circle and take 1st right.
From Reagan National Airport—Alternative Route
Take I-66 West. Take Exit 67 to Route 267 (Dulles Toll Road). Take Exit 19A, following signs to Route 123 South (Dolley Madison Blvd.) Tysons Corner. Go to the 2nd traffic light and turn left onto Colshire Drive. Follow to traffic circle and take 1st right.
From Dulles Airport
Take the Dulles Airport Access and Toll Road to Exit 19. Take Exit 19A, follow signs to Route 123 South (Dolley Madison Blvd.) Tysons Corner. Bear right onto Route 123. Go to 1st traffic light and turn left onto Colshire Drive. Follow to traffic circle and take 1st right.
From 495 Capital Beltway
Traveling North: Take Exit 46B North (McLean, Route 123). Stay on Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd.) to 2nd traffic light and turn right onto Colshire Drive. Follow to traffic circle and take 1st right.
Traveling South: Take the VA-123 South Exit towards Tysons Corner, Exit 19A. Continue on Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd.). Go to the 2nd traffic light and turn left onto Colshire Drive. Follow to traffic circle and take 1st right.
Agenda
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Registration and Networking
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM eLearning Webinar
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM Q&A and Networking
Refreshments will be provided.
Registration: Please note this program is a SCIP eLearning WEBINAR Exclusive to Onsite Attendees.
You will enjoy networking, education, and refreshments at our host site at Northrop Grumman Information Systems. Your onsite attendance is necessary to enjoy the Webinar.
Pleas register here: http://www.scip.org/Training/EventsDetail.cfm?itemnumber=15134
SCIP Members and Students: $10.00
Non-members: $20.00
Contact Information
Brandon Conroy, Brandon.conroy@ngc.com or 703.556.2579
Robyn Reals, SCIP, rreals@scip.org or 703.739.0696X107
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received, in writing, by Tuesday, November 29th, 2011.
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The future … tomorrow … not the day after
Bill Golden CEO, IntelligenceCareers.com
Life is good on most days. Seems though that change is constant.
Change doesn’t bother me. I expect change. I expect lots of change. I expect change at speeds that may seem to overwhelm and to even create obsolescence of products, skills and organization.
We may not be able to stop change but we can channel its energy.
The video below is by Microsoft and presents a vision of information interaction within the near future – less than five years from now. Most of the concepts envisioned already exist so … prepare for change.
Thanks to Shane Brooks for bringing this video to my attention.
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AFCEA Professional Education Cources ~ U.S. Intelligence Community
203 The U.S. Intelligence Community: Who Does What, With What, for What? November 29 – December 1, 2011; Fairfax, VA
This top-down course addresses the evolving structure and functions of the Intelligence Community. Topics include changing threats and challenges, resources and processes, intelligence programs, relations between intelligence producers and policy, military and other consumers, as well as useful information about the interaction between U.S. Intelligence and industry. Speakers in the course include authoritative representatives of many of the key intelligence agencies and organizations including the ODNI, CIA, NCTC, DIA, NSA, NRO, NGA, DOE, DHS, FBI, PDB, and the U.S. military.
205 Intelligence Support to Cyber Conflict December 6, 2011; Charlottesville, VA
The cyber/cyber intelligence issue is one of the most dynamic national security issues. Basic issues of doctrine and intelligence requirements are still being created and will continue to evolve over the next several years. Our cyber courses reflect and attempt to address these areas of change and uncertainty.
This one-day course is intended for individuals starting a career in the field or who are interested in separating the hype from the reality of intelligence in cyberspace. It introduces students to intelligence support to warfare conducted in cyberspace, and addresses computer network attack, defense and exploitation. This course covers the nature of cyberspace; understanding cyber attacks and adversaries in cyberspace; U.S. organizations; and the latest intelligence concepts to support computer network defense and offense. From indications & warning (I&W), battle damage assessment (BDA), and the thorny problem of attribution, this course will give you your crucial first steps to understanding your role in cyber conflict.
CYBER-SECURITY:
386 NIST 800-37 Security Certification & Accreditation of Federal Information Systems November 29 – December 2, 2011; Fairfax, VA
This course has been certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). This course will provide a comprehensive understanding and working knowledge of the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF). Training will cover the latest revisions of several NIST RMF-associated publications. This course will also help students prepare for the ISC2 Certified Authorization Professional (CAP®) Examination.
387 DoD Certification & Accreditation (C&A) Process (DIACAP) December 12 – 15, 2011; Fairfax, VA
This course has been certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). The instructor will address the importance of the DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP), as well as the laws, policies, guidance, and organizations on which the DIACAP is based. Training will also include information regarding the DIACAP Transformation and potential implications as well as mapping of DoD IA Controls to NIST Security Controls.
The AFCEA Training Ticket Program offers more purchase power with flexible vouchers. Visit www.afcea.org/education/pdc/voucheradd.cfm for more details.
For more PDC course information:
Print or download our January 2011 – January 2012 catalog in PDF format.
For full course descriptions, fees, instructor bios, and to register go to: http://pdc.afcea.org
Questions? Check FAQs, email the PDC Registrar at pdc@afcea.org or call PDC Registrars, Jill Malinchak or Gloria Kirkland at: 703-631-6137.
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U.S. Army Renews Partnership to Advance Educational Opportunities for Hispanic Youth
FORT KNOX, KY /PRNewswire/ ~~The U.S. Army today renewed its longstanding partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) by announcing its sponsorship of HACU’s upcoming 25th annual national conference as well as expanding its support of the HACU-Army College Tour program. The Army’s partnership with HACU is based on a mutual commitment to preparing Hispanic youth for academic and career success. Specific programs will provide students, teachers and school officials with information about the educational programs and resources available through the Army, both at the high school and collegiate level.
Over the past five years, the U.S. Army has provided $5.5 million per year in ROTC scholarships to 67 HACU-affiliated colleges and universities – totaling $27.4 million. During this period, the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) programs at these 67 HACU-affiliated colleges and universities have commissioned nearly 700 Army officers.
“The Army places a high value on education and is honored to collaborate with HACU to make a college education a reality for many young Latinos,” said Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command. “Through this important partnership, we can provide thousands of students and their parents with information about financial aid and educational resources available through the Army.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010 college enrollment rates among Hispanic high school graduates was 59.6 percent, the lowest among all ethnicities. With Hispanics representing the fastest growing ethnic minority in the U.S., the Army is committed to working with leading organizations such as HACU to ensure Hispanic youth are well-prepared to pursue leadership positions, whether as civilians or in service to the nation.
“The lack of financial means should not be a barrier to earning a college degree and embarking on a successful career,” added Maj. Gen. McDonald. “The leadership skills that ROTC develops will not only serve our nation’s defense, they will also serve our communities when officers return to civilian life as business leaders, engineers, physicians and perhaps even as educators,” added Maj. Gen. McDonald.
Army representatives will join HACU at the organization’s national conference from Oct. 29-31 in San Antonio. The conference is expected to draw more than 3,000 students, college and university administrators and educators and community leaders. There, Army officials will meet with attendees to share information about its educational resources and leadership development programs.
In addition to the national conference, the Army is expanding its support of the HACU-Army College Tour program which brings high school students to college campuses – some for the first time – to learn more about pathways to higher education. The program allows student and guidance counselors to meet with university and Army officials to learn more about financial aid, admissions processes and campus life. This fall the HACU-Army College Tour program will return to the University of Texas at San Antonio (Nov. 7-11) and will expand to Florida International University in Miami in early 2012 (Feb. 22-24).
“HACU and the Army have a rich history of collaboration to improve the success of high school and college students,” said Antonio Flores, President and CEO of HACU. “We are excited to continue providing high school students the vital tools necessary to pursue and attain a college degree through the HACU and U.S. Army University Tours program, which last year served more than 600 students.”
About the United States Army Accessions Command (USAAC)
The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,400 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.
SOURCE U.S. Army
CONTACT: Deisy Verdinez, +1-512-794-4725, dverdinez@theaxisagency.com
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Online Network Security Webinar ~ November 15, 2011
November 15th Event to Address Leading Security Issues, Six Steps Businesses Can Take to Protect Critical Data Assets from Cyber Attacks
MT. PROSPECT, IL /PRNewswire/ ~~ National managed security solutions provider, CoreLink Data Centers, (www.corelink.com), and StillSecure, a network security solutions provider, announced today they will present a free one-hour webinar on November 15(th) at 12:00 p.m. CST entitled “Beyond the Firewall – Top Network Security Issues and Six Ways to Avoid Them.” The webinar will address how businesses can safeguard against today’s sophisticated cyber threats in a time of increasingly stringent government regulations, escalating personnel costs, and tightening budgets.
During the webinar, Tom Stimmel, CoreLink’s Director of Operations, and Neil Carter, StillSecure’s Senior Security Network Engineer, will discuss the six critical tools to managing a firm’s network, and how CIOs, business owners, IT managers and security professionals can prevent against, and detect, cyber attacks before they wreak havoc on a company’s reputation and bottom line.
“The best defense is a solid offense, and organizations that actively prepare for cyber attacks will be the winners in the long run,” said Stimmel. “An online network security solution can provide both the flexibility to accommodate infrastructure growth and changing business requirements.”
“Compromised networks and security breaches, in addition to having the potential to devastate a company’s short-term profitability, severely damage business reputations when critical customer data is involved,” Stimmel continued. “Large and small companies across all industries cannot afford to ignore online network security. In this day and age, it’s not if, but when, an organization will be attacked.”
“Most small and medium sized organizations today lack the intellectual and financial resources necessary for protecting their IT assets independently,” said StillSecure’s Carter. “Tom and I will explain how managed security solutions can safeguard against costly security breaches while protecting bottom line profitability.”
CoreLink and StillSecure will present the free Nov. 15th webinar from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST. Attendees can register for the event here. System requirements include Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server for PC-based attendees; Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer for Macintosh®-based attendees.
From its Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Seattle data centers, CoreLink supports and protects business networks against the most sophisticated worms, trojans and viruses. The company provides customers with relentless managed security solutions, continuous expert help, and full transparency backed with a 100 percent Uptime Service Level (SLA) guarantee.
Contact CoreLink Data Centers for more information about managed security solutions and data center services, including managed services and enterprise hosting or call 866-435-2375.
About StillSecure:
For IT executives facing escalating security threats and evolving compliance requirements, and data centers looking to cement long-term customer relationships, StillSecure designs and delivers managed network security and certified compliance solutions so you can focus on growing your core business. As opposed to vendors with uncertified partial fixes, or worse, self-audited solutions, StillSecure unites our security experts with our certified processes and innovative technologies to provide holistic solutions that eliminate the need for dedicated resources juggling multiple vendors, products and requirements. For more information please call (303) 381-3830 or visit http://www.stillsecure.com.
About CoreLink:
CoreLink is a leading data center hosting and managed services provider of critical infrastructure services delivered on a “state of the art,” robust and environmentally friendly technology platform. By leveraging data centers in Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Seattle with access to massive and diverse network connectivity, CoreLink delivers small, medium and large enterprise customers and service providers with high quality and uniquely agile, data center services. CoreLink’s focus on aligning customer needs with the proper solution, combined with a relentless focus on service, provides the flexibility and peace of mind all businesses require from a data center provider.
For more information, please call 866.435.2375 or visit our website or check out more at CoreLink Data Centers’ blog, CoreLink on Facebook and @corelinkdata on Twitter.
SOURCE CoreLink Data Centers
Web Site: http://www.stillsecure.com
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Walmart Foundation Grant to Help Connect 1,000 Veterans to Green Job Opportunities
Initiative builds on the Walmart Foundation’s $20 Million Commitment to Support Veterans Jobs
BELLEVILLE, IL /PRNewswire/ ~~ The Walmart Foundation today announced a two-year $750,000 grant to Veterans Green Jobs. With this funding, Veterans Green Jobs will connect with 1,000 veterans through its training and employment initiatives and place many of those veterans into full-time green sector jobs. This is the latest commitment under the Walmart Foundation’s recently announced five-year, $20 million giving initiative aimed at combating the high veteran unemployment rate.
The grant was announced during a “Hiring our Heroes” veterans job fair in Belleville, Illinois, one of 100 job fairs Walmart has sponsored through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for recently returned veterans is 12 percent.
“The idea that our nation’s heroes are being forced to transition from the frontlines to the unemployment line is one of the worst realities we can imagine,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Through Walmart’s support of Veterans Green Jobs, our partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other outreach, we’re doing our part to ensure our veterans have the support they need and the career opportunities they deserve.”
“Walmart is at the forefront of Fortune 500 companies hiring returning veterans and assisting organizations in reversing the high rates of joblessness among our veteran population,” said Dr. Mit Parsons, Veterans Green Jobs’ co-founder and board chairman, and a U.S. Army veteran. “Veterans Green Jobs is thankful for the partnership we have forged with Walmart in leveraging career opportunities that are focused on environmental sustainability. We share with this strategic partner a commitment to making veteran employment happen with ‘boots on the ground’ – one veteran at a time.”
Since 2009, Walmart has donated more than $1 million to Veterans Green Jobs, resulting in training and jobs for more than 350 veterans.
For more on Walmart’s commitment to veterans, please visit: http://www.walmartstores.com/veterans. For more information on veterans and transitioning military career opportunities, please visit www.walmartcareerswithamission.com.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
About Veterans Green Jobs
Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) is a national 501 (c) (3) nonprofit whose mission is to engage, transition and connect military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities that serve our communities and environment. Under a contract with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, Veterans Green Jobs weatherizes income-qualified homes in Colorado. In partnership with conservation corps and land management agencies, the organization helps veterans get skills and training in outdoor conservation and natural resource management in eight western U.S. states. VGJ is currently creating an outreach, recruitment and placement program that will connect veterans with green industry employers and certified training programs. The nonprofit’s Go Green Warehouse is a discount home improvement materials store whose sales proceeds support job and training programs for military veterans. See www.veteransgreenjobs.org for more information.
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SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
CONTACT: Phillip Keene, 1-800-331-0085, http://walmartstores.com/reporter
Web Site: http://walmartstores.com
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