GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER CHAPTER - Jun 04, 2015 |
Chapter Hosts Heartland TechNet, Golf Tournament |
The chapter hosted its Heartland TechNet in June at the Bellevue Welcome Center support facility. Major companies sponsored 11 different booths. Vendors spared no expense in exhibiting and demonstrating their innovative products and services. Participating companies were 1 Staff Training, Omaha, Nebraska; Draycor, San Diego; Dynamic Systems Inc., Austin, Texas; Great Plains Communications, Blair, Nebraska; Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California; Iron Bow Technologies, Chantilly, Virginia; Juniper Networks, Sunnyvale, California; Software Engineering Solutions, Bellevue, Nebraska; Sterling Computers, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Vectrus, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and WESCO, Pittsburgh. At the event, Elizabeth Durham-Ruiz, technical adviser, C-4 Systems Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, said USSTRATCOM is one of nine combatant commands with a global perspective. There are nine diverse missions assigned, which creates a challenge to sharing information and getting it to one place. A new facility is being built to house USSTRATCOM, and wireless is being considered. There will be pockets of wireless within the new facility, but there are challenges on how to do this while creating an environment where workers remain efficient. Small tests are being conducted in the old facility to glean information on how to make the transition effective in the new facility. Surface pros are in use now by 25 senior leaders within USSTRATCOM. The takeaway is that collaboration across the board is key. In addition, Lt. Gen. Michael Peterson, USAF (Ret.), vice president for strategic initiatives, URS Systems Engineering and Information Solutions team, San Francisco, gave a broad overview of things to consider in today's information technology environment. He talked about the significance of understanding critical infrastructure; the necessity of an enterprise architecture; and the vulnerabilities created by second and third parties tied into the network. He talked about the possibility of conducting joint regional security—this would help with funding and impose a single security architecture. He discussed how important it is to keep one's work force trained. Cyber mission forces have a vital role and need to be embraced. As a matter of good policy, he mentioned taking a look at one's current applications periodically and figuring out what can go away. Both Peterson and Durham-Ruiz received chapter coins for addressing the assembly at TechNet. TechNet culminated with the chapter's 14th annual golf tournament, which was held at the Platteview Country Club in Bellevue. |
Event Photographs: |
Col. Jeffrey Granger, USAF, chapter president, shakes hands with Elizabeth Durham-Ruiz, technical adviser, C-4 Systems Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, a speaker at the June TechNet event. |
At the June event, Col. Granger (l) thanks TechNet speaker Lt. Gen. Michael Peterson, USAF (Ret.), vice president for strategic initiatives, URS Systems Engineering and Information Solutions team, San Francisco. |
At Heartland TechNet in June, attendees mingle at the exhibition of nearly a dozen vendors. |
Vendors demonstrate their wares at the TechNet exhibition in June. |