The Main Objectives of the Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence - Report Example

Running head: IT CONFERENCE WHITE PAPER Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference Insert Insert Grade Course Insert Tutor’s Name 16 March 2011 Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference Introduction One of the main objectives of the Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) is provision of security clearance to the Army’s intelligence community. The inclusion of the National Guard Bureau (NGB), Accessions Command, and the US Army Reserve Command (USARC) to the clearance process is set to increase the caseload by October 2011 with the expectation of incorporating the whole Army community later. In addition to this, the PSI-CoE has been actively establishing means of tackling the risks involved in the current program that will have an impact on the crucial activities of the mission. However, the PSI-CoE has also indicated its interest in increasing effectiveness, efficiency, cost saving and productivity of the program. Army requests are currently the only requests being processed by the CoE; this however rules out the army reserves and the national guards. The main objective behind this move was to ensure the CoE had the sole responsibility of issuing security clearances and at the same time, bring down any other channel apart from the CoE that issued security clearances. Initially, about 36% of the total requests are being accepted with percentage destined to rise significantly after merging. Pros and Cons Pros The APG will acquire a new platform, while at the same time the additional technical personnel will boost its operations by making it efficient and effective. The APG NEC is currently indicated to lack high bandwidth pipes connecting its different locations, thus the building up of an updated network infrastructure will upgrade the process of attaining and working on the information received in the APG NEC. In addition to this, supplementing technical support will also increase efficiency and effectiveness of the Aberdeen Providing Ground Network Enterprise Center. The joint services between the various departments of security will enhance corporation between the numerous personnel involved in the different departments. A good example as indicated is the facilitation of the military intelligence (COEMI) by the Intelligence command (INSCOM). In addition to this, workstation maintenance is destined to be provided by the APG NEC especially if the joint services between the CoE and the MI are undertaken. Moreover, improvement of security is guaranteed upon undertaking the course of action. This will be made possible as the crucial facilities such as the technical and network infrastructure will undergo upgrading or complete makeover. Self-reliance and self-containment will also be upheld in missions, as it will provide the APG NEC with greater flexibility. In order to achieve self-reliance, the mission will rely on organic staffing (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 7). The incorporation of new buildings in the program has a long-term effect on the program as it increases the space needed for expansion. According to the Personnel security investigation, it was noted that the CoE needed room for expansion and growth (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 7). Greater flexibility is enhanced as the DAA operations are carried out under the G2. In addition to this, the CCF will acquire more space for the test and production development. The investigation also indicated that the establishment of a new workstation was not necessary from APG NEC as the workstations are linked to the INSCOM forest. This therefore indicates that the system administration will be co-located at COE. In undertaking these courses of action collectively, the ultimate cost of ownership will be lowered (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 9). Controlled access and verification of the personnel accessing the data and servers are some of the benefits that will be derived from the course of action to be undertaken by the personnel security investigation center of excellence as it will enhance security. According to the Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence the APG has been singled out as having updated data center. In addition to this the APG is attributed to having an expansive space of production. The updating of data will enable the APG to be at same level with the modern state of affairs (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 4). Cons According to the Personnel security investigation, the additional technical personnel that are crucially needed at the APG will mean an increase cost. Increase in cost raises issues concerning funding of the whole program. Concerns regarding the funding of the program are not the only factor that is critical, but also the timing of the funds play a great role. Security is also another issue that has raised concerns. According to the Personnel security investigation, the APG had raised issues with the layer of security for the personnel security investigation portal. In addition to this, the network connectivity between APG and CCF had proven to be contentious issue. This has been caused by lack of high bandwidth pipe that linked the APG and the CCF. The APG is also facing issues relating to flexibility, the change control board (CCB) and the DAA approval time is said to be longer (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 4). It is impossible for the APG to host development initiatives due to the fact that it is meant to undertake network production. The cost incurred for incorporating both the management and operation of HP and CISCO will be regarded as extra costs as these costs are not accounted for in the agreements (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 5). The APG NEC was unable to offer workstation maintenance due to the fact that CoE is part and parcel of the MI domain (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 7). In the investigation carried out by the Personnel Security Investigation one of the issues that emerged was license issues. It is indicated that the APG did not have explicit rights to the software they used, as they did not own even one of the software licenses (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 5. Funding concerns is another issue that was identified as crucial by the Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence. In the funding concern, the timing of the money was identified as critical as it affects the course of action to be undertaken (Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference 4). Assumptions In the assumptions attained, the percentage in time for IT systems is predicted to be high to a mark of 83.33%. The presence of the staff is significant, as the staff will be working in two shifts. In addition to this, there is a requirement that expects all the technicians involved in the various fields of service to be certified before undertaking the job at hand. Incorporation of CISCO call management system is expected to be fully utilized. In summation, the assumptions indicated have been set with focus been placed on improving services within the Center of Excellence. The requests being processed at the initial stages are below the 50% mark with high expectation of a significant rise to above the 50% mark. This therefore means that the assumptions indicated are designed to assist in accomplishing and achieving the high expectations predicted for the future. The funds are also indicated to be available for facilitating the proposed changes. Recommendation A thorough survey should be undertaken before commencement of any proposed changes. The data acquired in the survey should indicate the available facilities that can work simultaneously and therefore operated as joint services, available facilities that need to be independent considering their operations and equipments that need upgrading. The survey should be conducted by interviewing different personnel and inspecting the equipments and machines in use. On completion of the survey a report should be written indicating the current state of affairs at the Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence. The report is to be used as evidence in attainment of funds for undertaking of the essential changes needed. Works cited Personnel Security Investigation – Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) IT Way Ahead Conference. 2011. (Attachment) Read More