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Infrastructure protection has many elements, but the first step is determining what we need to protect. According to William Flynn, director, Protective Security Coordination Division at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), "We know what is important to government, but we have to understand what the interdependencies are." From the data collection angle, infrastructure protection has made quantum leaps, and the ability to analyze the data also has come a long way, he explained.

Intelligence Community Directive 501 served as the focal point bringing together a constructive dialog among intelligence experts who discussed the standards that their agencies must meet to share information in a panel on intelligence sharing at the AFCEA Homeland Security Conference. Once again, governance was fingered as the biggest issue being faced. Excellent leadership is needed to change the culture and to gradually change the organization. Policy guidelines must show that information sharing is the normal course. What should not be shared should be by exception, said Vance Hitch, Chief Information Officer, Department of Justice. "We need a Google for cops and a Google for intelligence agents," he added.

The American Recovery and Investment Act is infusing $2.7 billion in funds to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but that is both the good news and the bad news. Along with the stimulus money comes increased reporting demands and enhanced transparency requirements as well as an obligation to quickly pump the money into the economy. Distributing the funds must occur while ensuring quality contracting, good business practices and flawless spending. Not only will the agencies receiving the funds have additional administrative burdens, but industry will also have new reporting requirements in any contracts receiving these funds, related Richard Gunderson, acting chief procurement officer, DHS.

CSC has signed a five-year, $53 million information technology services contract with BHP Billiton Petroleum.

The U.S.

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has received a $90 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce solid rocket propulsion systems for al

BAE Systems has been awarded an order to provide 5,685 Vehicle Emergency Escape Window kits from the U.S.

QinetiQ North America's Mission Solutions Group has been awarded a three-year, firm-fixed-price contract to deliver security services to the Naval

Vangent Incorporated has received a contract through the 350th Electronic Systems Group at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, to modern