Training Conference: Cloud Computing for DoD & Government

Please join me at the Cloud Computing for DoD & Government training conference, February 22-24, 2010 at the Hilton Old Town in Alexandria, VA. This unique conference agenda blends interactive workshops and actionable information with an unprecedented opportunity to network with government cloud computing leaders.

The conference kicks-off Monday with class-room style sessions where attendees will examine the strategies behind cloud standards and security. The second day features presentations from leading government cloud implementors, prepared to share their real world experiences and learnings. Speakers include:

• Patrick Dowd, Chief Architect, NSA - "Requirements for Collaboration in the Cloud"
• Peter Tseronis, Deputy Associate CIO, US Dept. of Energy - "The Federal Cloud Computing Initiative and the Progress-to-Date"
• Dr. Stephen M. Jarrett, CTO ISR/IO/IA & Cyber Security, US Navy SPAWAR - "Securing Cloud-Based Applications"
• June Hartley, CIO Department of Interior - "Application Hosting and Cloud Computing"
• Henry Sienkiewicz, Technical Program Director, DISA - "Cloud Computing with RACE"

Day three is also fully loaded featuring:

• Maj Gen Stephen Gross, USAFR, Mobilization Asst to the Chief of Warfighting Integration and CIO - "The USAF's Position and Initiatives in Cloud Computing"
• William C. Barker, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, NIST - "Applying Various Virtualization Techniques within the Cloud"
• Peter Mell, Cloud Computing Project Lead & Senior Computer Scientist, NIST / James Tsujimoto, Office of Government Wide Policy, GSA - "Cloud Computing: Secure and Effective Use"
• Dr. Mary Ann Malloy, Warfighter Architecting, The MITRE Corporation - "Tactical Cloud Computing"

I will also be giving a presentation, "Supporting DoD Operations with Cloud Computing", on the third day.

The regular price for attending this three day event is $999. Discounts are available for members of the Military, Government and Academia. I have also arranged for an additional $150 discount for "Cloud Musings" readers that sign-up for all three days. To get this special discount download the booking form and fax to (416) 597-4721 or simply call Mark Osborne at (416) 597-4721.

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Review: Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing by Eric Marks and Bob Lozano

Recently, I had the privilege of reviewing an advance copy of Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing by Eric Marks and Bob Lozano. Available now for pre-order on Amazon, this guide is a crystal ball into the future of business. Not a technical treatise, this excellent book is an insightful description of how cloud computing can quickly sharpen the focus of information technology and line executives onto the delivery of real value. Using clear prose, Eric and Bob explain how cloud computing elevates IT from it's traditional support role into a new and prominent business position.

In Chapter 4: Strategic Implications of Cloud Computing, the reader will learn why the cloud will soon become a mainstream component of every chief information officer's toolkit. By skilfully blending business environment context and business model evolution, the authors build a strong case for the inevitability of cloud computing. For me, the key takeaway was Chapter 5: Cloud Computing Adoption Lifecycle, within which an effective and efficient methodology for adopting cloud computing was presented.

I commend Eric and Bob for producing what will soon become a leading industry reference. If you're serious about leveraging cloud computing for the business value it provides, I urge you to place your advance order today.

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DoD Cloud Computing Session at 5th International Cloud Expo

I'm happy to announce that I will be presenting on DoD Cloud Computing Advances at the 5th International Cloud Expo, April 19-21, 2010 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. My session will examine specific projects and mission goals that are driving the cloud computing projects at the Defense Information Systems Agency, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency.

Registration for this event is now available.  If you have any specific areas you would like for me to cover, just leave you comment or suggestion right here. I look forward to seeing you there!



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InformationWeek Prediction: Cloud Computing for Classified Software

Yes, I know you're sick of all the predictions, but I just can't resist pointing you to Nick Hoover's "5 Predictions For Government IT in 2010". In summary:

1. Cybersecurity Will Continue To Be On The Front Burner
2. More Agencies Will Begin Forays Into Cloud Computing, Including Public Clouds
3. Transparency Won't Always Be Easy
4. Dashboards Will Push Agencies To Improve Performance Management
5. IT Procurement May See Some Tentative, Incomplete Reform


Of course, the cloud computing prediction interested me the most. According to Nick, 2010 will see early cloud computing projects moving into production and the use of cloud computing technology for classified activities via the DISA RACE program! Even with these steps forward, security and procurement will still offer challenges.  Read the complete article for more.





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"Shaping Government Clouds" Just Released

As part of the On The Frontlines series, Trezza Media Group has just released it latest on-line electronic magazine. "Shaping Government Clouds" includes:

• Pete Tseronis, Chairman of the Federal Cloud Advisory Council, shares his thoughts on how to embrace clud computing possibilities;
• US Army Major Larry Dillard explains how the Army Experience Center used the cloud to enhance recruiting;
• Experts from Citrix, HP and SafeNet discuss how they are using the cloud in government solutions;
• And much much more!!

The ezine also reveals my answer to the question "Cloud Computing: Real or Fad?".
 
A government cloud computing resource center is also included with cloud computing "Future Vision" video clips from:

• Henry Sienkiewicz, DISA
• Mike Krieger, US Army
• Robert Carey, US Navy
• Ron Bechtold, US Army
• Curt Aubley, Lockheed Martin
• David Smith, Citrix Systems
• Ronald Ritchey, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Tim Harder, EMC

Read it today!  Or better yet, download it as an excellent reference. You too can become a government cloud shaper !!



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Fed Tech Bisnow: If Nostradamus Did RFPs?

Nostradamus may no longer be with us, but check out the "beltway" predictions from Tech Bisnow!

"Two hot trends almost all mentioned: early uptick on M&A and cloud computing ubiquity"

• SAIC guru Mike Daniels
• Federal marketing wiz Mark Amtower
• Winvale group managing partner Kevin Lancaster
• DoD consulting guru Rob Guerra
• Information Experts CEO Marissa Levin
• LondonInk’s Bob London
• Criterion Systems CEO Promod Sharma
• Holland & Knight’s Adam August
• Cisco distinguished fellow Alan Balutis

(My humble prognostication is also included.)






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Navy CANES and Cloud Computing

During the first quarter of 2010, the Navy is expected to make the first selection for the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise System (CANES). CANES is just one component of the Navy’s overall strategy for its future information technology infrastructure. According to Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, deputy chief of naval operations for communications networks and deputy chief information officer, CANES will provide 75,000 seats on 192 ships and submarines and at nine maritime operation centers across the fleet. CANES also represents the Navy’s response to fleet demands for a robust tactical network. Some also argue that CANES is the Navy’s transition to virtualization, SOA and cloud computing adoption strategy. If this discussion interest you, please read my article on the subject recently published in Military Information Technology magazine, "CANES and the Cloud".

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GovCloud, "Cloud Musings" rated "Influential" by Topsy

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My sincere appreciation and thanks goes out to Topsy for rating my tweets as "Influential"!

Topsy is a new kind of search engine that sees the Internet as a stream of conversations. By viewing people and their online conversations as a web of relationships, the Topsy engine rates how each person influences other people to read, talk and think about things. Topsy uses influence rankings to measure the likelihood that people with pay attention to a person's tweet. Influence for Twitter users is computed using all historical retweets: millons of real, public statements indicating who’s listening to whom. Roughly the top 0.2% most influential of all Twitter users are tagged “Highly Influential”, and “Influential” tags appear for the top 0.5% most influential Twitter users. Using this rating, GovCloud and "Cloud Musings" tweets were ranked as "Influential".

Thanks also goes out to my dedicated followers in the "Twitterverse"! Without your interest and valuable interactions, nothing is possible. I look forward to continuing our enlightening conversation in 2010.

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Jill Tummler Singer Appointed NRO CIO

Effective January 1, 2010, Jill Tummler Singer will take the reigns as CIO for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). As the CIA Deputy CIO, Ms Tummler has been a proponent of cloud computing for the United States Intelligence Community (IC).

According to a recent article by Jeremy Geelan, " She believes that the cloud will provide a “faster, better, cheaper, and safer” Information Technology solution for the IC. There are shared beliefs among those in the cloud computing community that 2010 will be a break-out year for clouds - and for enterprise cloud computing, in particular. The IC is actively piloting an Enterprise cloud that will meet its unique mission and security requirements."

I, for one, share this view and see the IC community as a key early adopter of cloud computing technology. With it's pioneering efforts, the FUD (Fear, uncertainty and doubt) surrounding this new approach to providing real value in information technology will be replaced with professional reason and effective risk management. In October 2008, I actually wrote a whitepaper on the use of cloud computing by the national security community. At that time, many doubted that the government would ever embrace cloud computing. Needless to say, I'm really excited about the possibilities!!

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Most Influential Cloud Bloggers for 2009

Thank you Ulitzer and SYS-CON Media for naming me to your list of the most influential cloud computing bloggers for 2009. My hearty congratulations go out to the other bloggers that also made the list.

Cloud computing definitely made its mark in 2009. The government space on which I focus has clearly made this a top priority. I look forward to continuing my education and advocacy role in 2010.

Happy New Year !!

The World's 30 Most influential Cloud Bloggers

Cloud Expo on Ulitzer 1 Dustin Amrhein 11 Kevin Hoffman 21 Greg O'Connor 2 Ezhil Babaraj 12 Alin Irimie 22 Maureen O'Gara 3 Tony Bishop 13 Kevin Jackson 23 Mark O'Neill 4 Reuven Cohen 14 Fuat Kircaali 24 Bill Roth 5 Ernest de Leon 15 David Linthicum 25 Ellen Rubin 6 David Dean 16 Lori MacVittie 26 John Savageau 7 Ray DePena 17 Bill McColl 27 Michael Sheehan 8 Dana Gardner 18 Paul Miller 28 Roman Stanek 9 John Gauntt 19 Louis Naugès 29 John Treadway 10 Jeremy Geelan 20 Greg Ness 30 Alan Williamson

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