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If an apple a day keeps the doctor away – seems a storage array will pick you right up. That, according to the new Big Data Cure study just prescribed by MeriTalk. The report’s based on a survey of Fed execs working in agencies with healthcare missions.

So, let’s take a look at the chart. Sixty two percent say big data will improve patient care in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Military Health Systems. Sixty percent say big data will enhance their ability to deliver preventative care.

Out of the Lab
But, this is more than an academic exercise. One in three Feds say their agency has successfully launched at least one big data initiative. More vital stats – 35 percent use big data to improve patient care, 31 percent are pulling on big data to cut the cost of care, and 22 percent are successfully using big data to improve early detection.

Therapy Still Required
While Feds are upbeat about the big data prognosis, there’s clearly room for improvement. Only 34 percent have invested in IT systems to optimize data processing, just 29 have trained their IT teams to manage and analyze big data – and less than a third have educated their senior management on big data issues.

M2M
If big data’s big, it promises to be bigger with a little help from a new three letter acronym – M2M or machine to machine. While just 15 percent have implemented M2M, 53 percent plan to do so in the next two years.

With healthcare costs eating an ever greater percentage of the defense budget, big data may prove to be a critical new weapon in our arsenal. Read the study – it’s a lot shorter than Gray’s Anatomy.

My mother told me it was good to share my toys. Seems Uncle Sam can cut costs by sharing tech toys. That, according to a new MeriTalk study – Shared Services: Ready or Not?. The study’s based on a survey of 138 Fed IT execs at the MeriTalk Cloud Computing Brainstorm in January. For the multitaskers, too busy to read the study, the takeaways are below.

Rampant Redundancy
GAO reports 777 supply chain systems and more than 600 HR systems strewn across the Fed IT playground. Someone’s not sharing…

And the study puts the first numbers around the waste associated with Fed IT fiefdoms – $27.9 Billion. That’s the savings from shared simplicity. That’s about one third of the Fed IT budget.

Making Nice
Feds are in touch with the opportunity. Ninety six percent of survey respondents recognize the importance of shared services – and 72 percent say their agency’s tracking shared services as a strategic initiative for the CIO Council.

Reality Check
Okay, so we know it’s good to share, but who’s doing it? According to Fed IT execs, just over half of agencies are using any shared services and 44 percent are providing shared services. Top of the list of shared services apps: help desk, MDM, and finance. But – and it’s a big but – bear in mind, those shared services are only a fraction of those agencies’ IT consumption diet.

Get a Plan, Stan
So, we know that redundancy is rampant. Feds know shared services will unlock savings. Why aren’t we sharing more? It appears government-wide efforts are all at sixes and sevens. Just 40 percent of agencies have defined shared services goals and objectives. Only 32 percent have established service-level agreements. A paltry 16 percent have developed a financial model and chargeback system to deliver services to other agencies. Agencies call out procurement, security, culture, measurement, and infrastructure as key barriers to sharing the IT love.

First Things First
Cloud is clearly the pathway to shared services reality. While it certainly doesn’t absolve the sharing sins, FedRAMP takes a swipe at the shared security shyness. The FedRAMP OnRAMP allows agencies to see which CSPs are FedRAMP approved, by what agencies – and which CSPs are currently in the pipe. Important stuff as we run at OMB’s June FedRAMP deadline.

Play Nicely Together
And, the FedRAMP OnRAMP shows the value of government and industry playing well together – sharing information to accelerate change. What agencies need is a procurement platform and culture change to enable and measure progress. Perhaps a government-wide cloud broker that gets us out of solitary IT confinement?

It’s less than two months to May 11th. No, that’s not another OMB deadline – it’s Mother’s Day. When we’re able to save $27.9 billion by sharing, seems she really does knows best. Perhaps send her a copy of the study with that bunch of flowers this year?

Let’s change gears for this week’s circuit. Chance to step outside the Beltway and look under the hood in the mega-billion dollar state and local IT race. How’s transformation going – what’s fast and who’s furious?

If Uncle Sam’s modernization plans around cloud, data center consolidation, cyber security, big data, and mobility could use a tune up – seems the states are generating a lot of horsepower, but running into transmission issues. This according to a new MeriTalk study, the Big Five in Overdrive: Are State and Local Networks Ready?

Okay, let’s put the Big Five on the lift for a closer inspection.

Based on a survey of 201 state and local IT pros, the study tells us most agencies are revved up about the Big Five – everybody wants into the race. That said, 94 percent say their agencies are not completely prepared for the IT infrastructure impact. Fully 63 say the Big Five will cause network bottleneck risks. Eighty nine percent say they’ll need to upgrade network capacity to guard against traffic jams.

But, as the states move into the IT transformation passing lane, the network braking is just one of the concerns. Fifty nine percent note security woes and 44 percent worry about storage speed bumps.

So, how do we win this race? All eyes are on the driver’s seat. Fifty two percent of respondents question their leaders’ understanding of the Big Five’s impact on IT. State and local IT pros want better prioritization and coordination from leaders. They also call for budget to invest in network infrastructure and to standardize associated mapping.

If you’re not up for reading the study, tune in next Tuesday, March 25th at 2 p.m. EDT for the webinar. Wanda Gibson, CTO, Fairfax County, Virginia; Anthony Robbins, Vice President Public Sector, Brocade; and yours truly on the starters’ grid. It should be an exciting race.

Big data is good. Curing cancer. Trapping terrorists. Avoiding Armageddon.

Cyber leaks are bad. There’s a mountain of evidence on that front – we’ll call it Snowdonia. Sorry to the Welsh in the audience.

But concentrating intelligence could put big data and cyber security at crossed purposes. So how do we juggle these chainsaws without making a bloody mess?

MeriTalk sat down with 18 Federal big data and cyber security experts to discuss the art of the emerging science. Check out the study for yourself. Too busy? Here’s the small data download.

More Synergy than Static?
Big data can make cyber security stronger. Agencies are focused on leveraging the oceans of continuous monitoring data to better detect threat patterns. And, outside cyber security, big data’s playing a key role in ferreting out fraud.

Hardly surprising, U.S.-CERT is blazing the cyber trail – utilizing centralized analytics to hex hackers. Far from mailing it in, the Postal Service leverages big data to protect PII, improve mail processing, and stamp out postal fraud.

More Talk than Trousers?
But, beyond these early adopter examples, how much of this is real today – and is Uncle Sam equipped to surf the data torrent without springing a leak in his trunks?

It’s fair to say agencies are at different places in the big data equation. Sure, a few of the cool kids are hanging 10, but most are still at or near zero. Leaders are stoked about the potential, but bumming about budgets. Feds lack big data infrastructure and policy. They need to start with the fundamentals – filtering and characterizing data. They need dashboards to integrate input from multiple analytic engines to get to business insight. And, we’ve heard this before…Uncle Sam needs more highly trained data scientists.

Net Takeaways
Fed big data and cyber security leaders sound the alarm that bigger data sets make elements more sensitive – and amplify risks of unintended consequences. Yes it’s risky business, but ignorance is not a sound defense strategy. Read the full report.

There’s been hysteria about the grey tsunami since before I had grey hair. But, today seems Uncle Sam’s IT is really drowning in a digital-drop-out deluge. By all reports, Fed IT execs line up to jump overboard from the USS ITanic.

And, it’s not just grey beards – young IT leaders are pulling on life vests. Let’s consider those in the lifeboats – Simon Szykman, CIO, Commerce; Casey Coleman, CIO, GSA; Anil Karmel, deputy CTO at Energy NNSA; Anmy Torres, Deputy Division Chief, Cyber Acquisitions, Air National Guard; Major Linus Barloon, Chief of Cyber Operations at the White House – the list goes on… Let me know who I’m missing. It’ll be interesting to try to compile a full manifest.

Captain Cloud?
It’s difficult to single any exec out – but today’s the day Captain Cloud goes over the side at DHS. Yep, Keith Trippie, the innovation lead at DHS is putting in his last day at 7th and D St. SW. Keith’s been at DHS since ground zero. We’re all counting on Greg Capella and his shipmates to keep pulling on the innovation oars at ESDO.

OPM – SOS?
But, let’s get beyond the anecdotal. We decided to scan the horizon on USAjobs.gov on March 3rd. Iceberg ahead. There are 2,559 open Fed “technology” jobs – 547 in a 50-mile sail of D.C. Of the total tech empty berths, only 1,256 are open to non govies – so 1,303 are only open to existing govies. Seventy percent of vacancies require mid-senior experience – GS11-15. The agencies with the biggest tech talent troubles – VA, DoD (HQ, Army, Air Force, Navy), HHS, and Interior. And, to rub salt in Uncle Sam’s wounds, there’s clearly a huge leadership vacuum – 124 SES vacancies.

Marie Celeste?
This isn’t the typical appointee ship jump linked to the end of an administration – we’re not two years into Obama II. And, many of those leaving are career govies in their prime. We’re witnessing a massive brain drain – agencies are dangerously short of IT innovation navigators.
And, let’s forget new ideas – and instead focus on keeping the lights on in IT. Without knowledge of where the bodies are buried, agencies may find themselves marooned with their legacy systems.

Why the Sea Change?
Well, it’s a perfect storm. A rudderless OMB. Uncle Sam’s innovation agenda’s all wet – data center consolidation and cloud transformations are mostly high and dry. The high-water mark on Federal pay hasn’t moved in four years – consider gas and real-estate inflation. Add in the lack of empowerment – CIOs watched Richard Spires, the alpha CIO, walk the plank. And to add insult to injury, consider the public floggings on healthcare.gov and Snowden. The motto for Federal IT should read the beatings will continue until morale improves…

Truth is, our best and brightest Feds know the answers to Uncle Sam’s IT scurvy won’t come from inside. Here’s hoping those execs stay engaged in the community. That said, a complete mutiny’s not the answer – somebody needs to skipper the ship.

We need a new initiative to boost Fed IT morale. If we fail to recruit now, Uncle Sam’s IT infrastructure may capsize. Considering the OPM data, I’d recommend agencies open up jobs to non Feds – and lower their seniority expectations or boost compensation. Something’s got to give. FITARA’s a start – but we need to chart a new course to reach dry land.

Again, let us know of other Fed IT execs that have announced plans to jump ship. Let’s get a better sense for the problem so we can chart a tenable course forward.

The basis of this idiom is, you get nothing for nothing. Well, I’m going to take a bite out of that one. Next week is Telework Week. And, while the ethics rules are clear about the fact that you can’t buy Feds a fancy lunch, it seems Feds will pocket some nice change from Telework Week.

Let’s take a closer look at the stats and data side dishes – and remember, these numbers will only get fatter next week. More than 137,000 mobile folks have already pledged to telework on the Mobile Work Exchange site – Mobile Work Exchange is MeriTalk’s sister organization. Ninety-nine percent of those pledges are Feds. That’s five percent of the Federal workforce. Pledges will avoid driving 6,593,760 miles. Some road trip – that’s more than 265 times around the globe.

And, by stepping off the gas, pledges will save a total of $11.7 million during Telework Week – that’s $584 million per year. They won’t pump 784,000 in gas next week – sorry Exxon. The average Fed will save $85 during Telework Week – which tastes like a $4,255 annual pay raise. And, what goes great with a good meal? Wine [or Whine], but less of it this time. Pledges will save an average of 3.5 hours by cutting out the commute during Telework Week. Less road rage, more time to hug the pillow, walk the dog, and, of course, deliver more value to Uncle Sam and the taxpayer.

Real savings for Feds who haven’t had a pay raise in years. Less traffic on the roads. Less pollution in the environment. More time in your day. Seems the oil companies are the only ones who’d say that tastes bad. (more…)

FedRAMP has been around for a while – and there’s a good bit of confusion. You can read the manual – but at 49 pages and growing, it’s not exactly a page turner. There are three flavors of approved FedRAMP CSPs. So far, we think we have 11 cloud service providers – 10 industry and USDA. OMB’s deadline for mandatory FedRAMP for all government cloud services takes effect in June of this year. There is ample opportunity for better communication among agencies using and issuing authorizations.

There’s a lot of talk about innovation and public-private partnership. Hats off to Dave McClure and the team at GSA for great common-sense decision making. GSA’s changing the game on FedRAMP – increasing transparency – to deliver better outcomes. MeriTalk in collaboration with GSA will launch the new FedRAMP OnRAMP. Hosted at the MeriTalk Cloud Computing Exchange, this is a one-stop shopping online portal to answer the big four questions below. It’s a forum for public-private FedRAMP and cloud security discussion.

Net, net – here are the key questions:

• What are government’s FedRAMP cloud service provider options?
• What new FedRAMP cloud service options are coming and when? There are 11 in the pipeline for FedRAMP certification and six lined up to enter the process – but who are they?
• What’s the government’s RoI on FedRAMP – how much has government saved by centralizing security certification?
• How much does it cost and how long does it take for cloud service providers to go through FedRAMP?

MeriTalk will preview the new FedRAMP OnRAMP at the first Cloud Computing Caucus Advisory Group meeting at noon on February 27th on the Hill – Rayburn Hearing Room B369. Maria Roat, FedRAMP Director at GSA, will moderate the public-private session on FedRAMP. Space is limited.

We expect heavy traffic on the FedRAMP OnRAMP.

Look forward to meeting you this Thursday at the Rayburn Building.

Between FISMA, Continuous Monitoring, HSPD-12, et al – Feds are adopting a belt-and-suspenders approach to security.  And, if that wasn’t enough, Snowden’s taught the Prez about DLP.

But, there’s no point in locking the door and leaving the windows wide open – right?  A new study from the Mobile Work Exchange, MeriTalk’s sister organization, shows Uncle Sam’s mobility Achilles’ heel.  This study is based on data Feds input into the Secure Mobilometer.

I’ll try to keep this short so you can read this on those unsecured iPhones and droids – you know the ones you keep in your other pocket…
Let me be clear, these security issues don’t apply to Blackberrys – or for that matter, papyrus scrolls.

So, here’s the skinny on Feds’ mobile security from the study:

• 57 percent of government agencies failed the mobile security test
• Only 25 percent have received mobile security training – Digital Government Strategy eat your heart out
• Only 50 percent have proper mobile device management programs at their agencies
• 25 percent don’t use passwords
• 33 percent of those with passwords admit they’re easy to crack – 1234 anybody?
• Six percent write down their password – post-it note on the back?
• 31 percent of Feds use public WiFi
• 52 percent don’t use data encryption or multifactor authentication

And, before you jump on the Fed bashing bandwagon, please note, Feds did better than their private-sector counterparts who took the test.

Wanna know your mobile security?  Check out the Secure Mobilometer and download the study here.

I’m in the middle. I wore my brother’s hand-me-downs. I had to sit between my brother and sister on road trips. PaaS is the middle child in the Fed cloud family. Stuck between IaaS and SaaS, all too often, he’s overlooked by his Uncle Sam.

At a time when government IT program clangers are dinner conversation across America, maybe it’s time to bounce the little fella on his uncle’s knee? So, the timing of MeriTalk’s new study, “PaaS or Play? Cloud’s Next Move,” is perfect as we bring our families together to talk turkey.

Different Gravy

The study tells us Uncle Sam can carve $20.5 Billion in savings by developing and testing new apps in the cloud.

Family Feud

Based on a survey of Fed IT execs, the study provides new insight on our dysfunctional Fed app development family. The average application development process takes three and a half years. Forty-one percent of Feds say their agency’s applications are outdated and 77 percent say new app development is vital to agency mission success. And, here’s the evil stepparent, 50 percent say government’s missing out on benefits due to contractor lock in.

Since Sliced Bread…

The study highlights PaaS’ potential to rain down benefits Inside and Outside the Beltway. Ninety-two percent say PaaS is vital to broader cloud transition, 90 percent say it’s key to FDCCI, 73 percent link it to big-data rollout, 69 percent flag it as mobility mobilizer, and 42 percent say it’ll improve security. And, slicing to the business issue that thwarts OMB’s big five super programs, 79 percent link PaaS to shared-service adoption.

Are We There Yet?

So if 95 percent of Feds dig PaaS, where are we on implementation? Disappointingly, just 12 percent of Feds say they’re using PaaS today. “Why?” I hear you cry. Here’s cloud’s crazy aunt in the closet again – 67 percent point to security as the spoiler. But, folks who tasted the PaaS pie give it yum-yum reviews. Far from a turkey, 83 percent of PaaS pilgrims say they sailed across the cloud transition with no fear of the Mayflower springing a leak.

Sid Vicious?

Guessing PaaS will become an increasingly appetizing cloud-menu option. Like me, PaaS may be the punk kid, but sometimes the punks rock.

A picture’s worth a thousand words. What’s it they say about books and covers?

Let’s level here – if you ask America for adjectives to describe Feds – risk-taker and innovator wouldn’t make the top 1,000. But we know differently. And, on the heels of the shutdown, what better time to recognize Feds’ grit and gumption? We’re people, not statistics – right?

High Flier?

By day, mild-mannered IT exec, Simon Szykman, CIO at Commerce, likes to walk on the wild side – literally. Check out this snap of Simon wing walking at 2,000 feet. Yep, take a leaf out of Mr. Szykman’s book – turn convention upside down. Sorry, I can’t resist – Simon’s got a whole new perspective on cloud, he’s not afraid to make the leap. Evel Knievel, eat your heart out.

Zoom in on Innovators

Keep an eye peeled for the new MeriTalk Zoom feature. Each month, we’ll get up close and personal with a new Fed IT exec – new insight on the innovators.

Simon Szykman shows that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – not exactly sure how that works on an iPad…

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Don’t mean to rain on the parade, but what hasn’t been said about cloud computing?

How about are Federal agencies making any real progress in cloud and are we saving any money? That, and the new Cloud Computing Caucus, are on the menu as Fed cloud leaders and the Hill huddle at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on January 16.

Cloud First Consumer Guide

So Cloud First made Feds move three apps to the cloud. But, what did they move and how’s it working? Well here’s the Cloud First list from OMB. MeriTalk decided to reach out to the Cloud First app owners at the agencies and find out what’s working. We’ll preview the Cloud First Consumer Guide at a government-only breakfast on January 16, and you’ll have to attend to get in the know. Government folks sign up here.

Cloud Computing Caucus

Congressmen Issa (R-Ca) and Connolly (D-Va) want to get to grips with Cloud in a more tangible way. That’s why they’re co-chairs for the soon-to-be Cloud Computing Caucus. The caucus will make the Hill geek chic – helping members and staff catch up on cloud cool. I’m not supposed to give away too many details before January 16. Want more information? Sign up here.

Cloud Computing Brainstorm

Oh, and I almost forgot, all of this is taking place at the MeriTalk Cloud Computing Brainstorm at the Newseum on January 16. You’ll hear from Dave McClure at GSA on the government-wide cloud forecast. Then Fed cloud experts on FedRAMP, cloud brokering, and public and private hosting options.

We’ve got 200+ Fed cloud experts registered. There are only 20 spots left. Register now or risk getting left out in the rain.

I studied English and Economics in school – but I must confess, sometimes I didn’t do all the reading. Sometimes I’d skimp on Joyce and Friedman. Fast forward 25 years, and I’ve learned to do the homework – but aren’t we all looking for a shortcut? For those who want to get Big Smart on Big Data, I’d thoroughly recommend you read Ms. Jean Yan’s excellent “Big Data, Bigger Opportunities” whitepaper. It’s well researched, written, and sourced. But, for those of you that want your data by the cup, here are the CliffsNotes:

BD’s Daddy: BD ain’t new. Doug Laney with META Group – now part of Gartner – coined the BD term in 2001.

Five “V”s: A lot of folks define BD through the three “V”s – volume, velocity, and variety. Add in two more: veracity – integrity/provenance – and value – usefulness.

Data Explosion: TechAmerica tells us that 80-90 percent of all existing data was generated in the past two years. The New York Times has generated three billion words since inception – Twitter users generate eight billion words every day.

Search Surge: Google Trends show U.S. search interest in BD was up 90 percent between 2011 and March 2013.

Gartner Gauge: Gartner says government is the hot spot for BD. Gartner predicts worldwide IT spending associated with BD will hit $56 billion by 2016 – that’s not just government.

Prez Profile: The White House formed a BD Steering Committee in 2010 – it identified 17 Federal BD case studies.

No Cake Walk: Speed bumps on the BD highway. Challenges include: talent – accent on data scientists – leadership, capacities – that’s tech – and, not to be left out, our old friend, budget.

Risky Business: And, speaking of old friends, here comes cyber security to rain on the BD parade. Yes, security is, and should be, a significant concern. Riding shot gun, we’ve got the look-before-you-leap factor. We need to be cautious not to attribute cause-and-effect just because data trend in the same direction.

And, now for the big finish. A big thank you to Ms. Jean Yan for the whitepaper. A big hand for the teams at the White House – NITRD – GAO, GSA, and OPM for their respective BD projects. MeriTalk hosts our own Big Data Exchange to bring together BD leaders from across government. We welcome govies on November 6th. And, if you’re really interested in making your brain bigger, check out additional BD research reading.

That’s it for Summer. Bummer. Sure, Fall’s fun. But then it’s the big W – no, not that W. Even Republicans are relieved he’s not coming back to D.C. So, what do we have to look forward to this Fall? It’s a new Federal year – so farewell to furloughs. Let’s hope Obama and Boehner hug it out – and slay the sequestration serpent. Oh, and as we prep for the big chill, mobility’s warming up Federal productivity. Mark your calendar to join me at the Mobile Work Exchange Town Hall Meeting on September 12th. Despite the change of season, seems Feds are still doing Summer-saults for mobility.

Monetizing Mobility

A new MeriTalk study, “Feds on the Go,” puts mobility in a new light. First, it tells us that better mobile infrastructure could boost Fed productivity by $14,000 per year, per employee. Stay tuned for the how.

Mapping Mobility

The study puts new sunshine on Feds’ remote work behaviors. Eighty-one percent of Feds “remote in” weekly, 54 percent daily, and 45 percent connect several times a day. The average Fed puts in nine hours overtime per week – checking their email from outside. And, the laptop’s still the remote work go-to pony – 88 percent fat finger it. Other popular steeds, smartphones and tablets – 53 and 19 percent, respectively. However, while most Feds use laptops, the volume’s certainly much higher on smart devices – that’s a walk versus a gallop.

Maximizing Mobility

Okay, now back to how to unlock $14,000 mobile productivity gains per person. And, this dips beneath the BYOD buzz. It’s about the network nexus. Eighty-two percent dial down on frustration with current connectivity and mobile access – 65 percent are inhibited by slow connections and 57 percent are strangled by security. Seventy percent say they can’t access all of the information they need remotely. Download the full study to get all the stats for success.

Okay, now for the dismount. Figure many of you are reading on the go. Don’t want the cup to clog your connectivity conduit – so I’ll keep it short. Stop by the Mobile Work Exchange Town Hall Meeting to connect with over 1,000 Fed mobility leaders – including keynote from ATF CIO Rick Holgate, Marine Corps, NRC, USDA, Coast Guard, DHS, and more.

And, don’t shed a tear for Summer. The heat’s on in mobility this Fall – see you on September 12th at the D.C. Convention Center.

There was a CIO called Vivek;
Who said Fed IT was a wreck;
His cloud vision was true;
His dashboard was new;
Now he’s moving to Harvard – what the heck.

Does Vivek’s departure move you to verse? Care to pen your own limerick or even a sonnet? Lost your poetic license? Just let us know how you feel about our first Federal CIO.