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After September 11, 2001, the United States committed to stopping Al Qaeda, and within a year the terrorist organization was operationally frozen. But the fallout from smashing this bureaucratically structured group led to a new franchised version, with the organization now reaching out to other smaller groups and providing training and support.

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.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has been awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies Incorporated to s

Northrop Grumman Corporation's MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV)

Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a $3.3 million task order to analyze technical data and e

Elaine Duke, undersecretary for management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), opened AFCEA's Homeland Security Conference in Washington, DC, with both encouragement and advice for the commercial sector. The department is looking forward to partnering with industry; however, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, companies can expect more government oversight during acquisitions.

Battelle Memorial Institute has been awarded an increase of $78.5 million for a cost-reimbursable-type

Raytheon Company is being awarded a $15 million modification to a previously awarded