In Depth interviews – December 3

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

This is the In Depth show blog. Here you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

Today’s guests:


Guy Ben-AriDeputy Director of the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group, Center for Strategic and International Studies

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Two experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group join In Depth to discuss trends in homeland security contracting.

Guy Ben-Ari, deputy director of the group, and Priscilla Hermann, a research assistant worked on a report detailing contracting trends at the Homeland Security Department from the creation of the agency to today.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Contract Spending and the Supporting Industrial Base, 2004-2011 (link to the report)


Jason WilsonBloomberg Government Reporter

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Throwing money at data infrastructure is already the next big thing. Spending on data storage has almost doubled across the government since 2007, according to a an analysis by Bloomberg Government. But the breakdown in contracts might surprise you.

Jason Wilson, a BGov reporter, joins In Depth to discuss data infrastructure buys.

Annual Data Infrastructure Buys Increase 90% (related link – requires subscription)


Larry AllenPresident, Allen Federal Business Partners

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The contracting blacklist could be making a dramatic comeback. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill not only had a big impact on the environment, it’s also reshaping how the federal government uses contracting tools, according to Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners.

He joins In depth to discuss the recent suspension of oil company BP and its implications for federal contracting.

Link to The Week Ahead newsletter


Steve LordDirector of homeland security and justice issues, Government Accountability Office

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We all know how easy it is to complain about traveling. But the Transportation Security Administration wants to look at those complaints on a larger scale and figure out how to use them to improve.

A recent Government Accountability Office report found that TSA lacked “agencywide policy, consistent processes or a focal point to guide receipt and use of such information.”

Steve Lord, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office, joins In Depth to discuss the report’s recommendations.


Robert BigmanFormer Chief Information Security Officer, CIA

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In the cybersecurity world, there’s a difference between the solutions the government is looking for and what it should be looking for. It’s what makes the security planning process important. That was the theme at a Federal Executive Breakfast, sponsored by Deltek, today.

Robert Bigman, former chief information security officer at the CIA, hosted the event. He joins In Depth to discuss how agencies can build a thorough security plan.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.


Also on the show:

In Depth brings you the latest cybersecurity and defense news. Below, find links to the stories mentioned.

IG investigates incomplete encryption at VA (VA.gov)

Pentagon Solutions: Sequestration becoming likely scenario (Federal News Radio)

rained Navy dolphins losing out to robots (Federal News Radio)

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