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Issue 5 September/October 2010 IT Talk this issue First NASA IT Summit p.1 Heard at the IT Summit p.2 2020 Vision p.4 IT Summit Award Winners p.5 Stennis Opens Records Facility p.6 Office of the Chief Information Officer NASA CIO: Linda Y. Cureton

First NASA IT Summit Explores Tech Innovations NASA’s first IT Summit brought together collaborative and transparent fashion. We 941 people to explore the outer reaches promoted integration and communication of information technology from August within NASA by bringing together our own 16 to 18 at the Gaylord National Harbor in IT community across all Centers, all at Maryland. once. Opening our Summit to renowned IT professionals such as the ‘Father of the Presenters from around the country Internet’ as well as other Federal CIOs, shared their expertise on themes ranging private sector, academia and researchers, from social networking and green IT to has infused new best practices and cross innovation, infrastructure, operations and IT IT Summit pollination throughout the IT community,” security and privacy. Fast Facts said NASA Deputy CIO Deborah Diaz. After the public event, NASA IT staff Plans are under way for a 2011 Summit in convened meetings for the IT Management San Francisco from August 15 to 17. • 941 attendees Board, The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Council, Deputy CIO Council, and 17 Check out features throughout this issue • 23 exhibitor NASA IT working groups. Because of the devoted to the IT Summit, including quotes booths critical mass of NASA IT staff gathered from our featured speakers (page 2) and in one place, many working groups insights on the future of NASA IT from • 118 speakers were able to have face-to-face, cross- NASA CIOs (page 4). at 63 breakout functional meetings for the first time. For example, the ODIN Program Board, the sessions Postmasters Working Group, NOMAD Customer Advocacy Council, the Public Key • 575 people Infrastructure Group and the OCIO Strategic tweeting and Communications Committee held their 1,480 tweets first joint meeting to discuss improving IT using “#NASAit” communications across the Agency. “The 2010 IT Summit helped us get closer to those goals through the sharing of IT innovations across the Agency while learning from the efforts of other agencies and the private sector. I have no doubt this Summit was a critical step in strengthening our Photos, presentations IT operations and achieving my vision to and videos of the have the best IT organization in the Federal Summit are available at: government,” said NASA CIO Linda Cureton. www..gov/offices/ “This Summit has enabled us to work ocio/itsummit/ and exchange innovative ideas in a more NASA App HD Headlines Now Available from the for iPad Summit “NASA Aims To Be Heard at the Summit... Government’s ‘Best IT Organization,’” The NASA App HD invites you to InformationWeek discover a wealth of NASA information “Kundra Challenges right on your iPad. Feds To Spend The application Smarter on IT,” Info collects, customizes Week and delivers an extensive selection “IT Chief Could of dynamically Shift Funds for updated mission Agencies’ Internal information, images, videos and Twitter Tech Projects,” “We come from different parts “…[I]n the Obama administra­ “NASA has been very “…[T]he applications “It’s critical to realize that “The PC era is over. It’s 1981 feeds from various Nextgov of the country but are united in tion, we’re focusing on how successful, precisely because marketplace is changing cyberspace is a central again! What the heck do our commitment to providing to turn around how we’re its scientific missions have radically. The end game is nervous system of today’s you mean by that, Dave? online NASA sources “NASA Sets NASA the finest IT and use spending money to make sure been mission-centric— very interesting. First off, we advanced economics. What I mean is in 1981, the in a convenient, Its Sights on of technology to enable that the projects are providing managed in a mission-centric will get to something called The global information IBM personal computer was mobile package. our mission. With President Off-loading IT dividends for the American way, focused. However, in applications components as and communications released. That was an ignition It’s available free of Obama’s new initiative for people. The first thing is that the IT department, one of the a service, where I won’t buy infrastructures are highly point. From 1981 all the way Functions and charge on iTunes or in space exploration, we must we launched the IT dash­ missions of IT is to support all an ERP [Enterprise Resource interconnected across borders up to the present, we had the the App Store directly Boosting Security,” be able to overcome the board within 60 days. There of those scientific missions. Planning] system, but bits and and jurisdictions and threats PC era. It wasn’t just about on the iPad. More challenges that lie ahead.” Nextgov are a number of accomplish­ You are an infrastructure. pieces of systems, and use to all legitimate activities in individual PCs—it changed information can be ments that move us closer That means, in many cases, —Linda Cureton, CIO, NASA them when I need them. That cyberspace are global and the way we talked about found at: “NASA in Position to making sure that we have designing and building happens today…. But that’s transnational in nature.” computing. I would even say a higher statistical likelihood systems that are multimission not the ultimate endgame, getting into the Internet and To Foster Global —Mark Bregman, Chief www.nasa.gov/nasaapp that projects will deliver. When in nature. So one of the key the ultimate endgame is the web was a way of linking Technology Officer, Cybersecurity,” we launched the dashboard, points I hope you will take applications will go away.” these systems together. When Symantec InformationWeek it was a huge shift. We moved away from my presentation is we start looking at mobile —James Stikeleather, Chief from an environment that was that designing communication computing, we’re seeing Innovation Officer, Dell “Bolden Comments closed, opaque, to an environ­ and information infrastructure another change in the market Services on Employees, ment that became transparent, architectures must be viewed place. We’re now shifting to Contractors at open. The challenge was shin­ from a multimission point of a mobile environment, an ing light on over $76 billion on view because you have to embedded system model NASA IT Summit,” IT investments.” persist over many different being the focal point.” Federal Computer missions.” Week —, CIO of the —David W. Cearley, Vice United States —Vint Cerf, Vice President President and Gartner and Chief Internet Fellow in Research, Evangelist, Gartner, Inc.

Videos of many of the IT Summit speakers can be viewed at www.nasa.gov/offices/ocio/itsummit/

Making IT Stellar at NASA Public site: www.nasa.gov/ocio Internal site: insidenasa.nasa.gov/ocio 2020 Vision 2010 IT Summit Award Winners Glenn We asked some of our NASA CIOs their vision for NASA’s IT by 2020. On August 18 at the Summit outside of Washington, DC, NASA presented these Sustainability of services outside of and within awards to recognize outstanding efforts by the NASA IT community as well as mem­ NASA. Commodity solutions Summit bers of the academic and teaching community who have incorporated NASA tech­ will be completely outside of nology into their educational efforts. NASA and more utilitarian in nature. Yes, the cloud will be mature enough to provide OCIO Excellence in OCIO Humanitarian Award: OCIO Excellence in IT infrastructure services of all Leadership: James Williams Ernest Lopez Security: Joseph Rossoll types. Development tools for the James Williams models Ernest Lopez has demon­ Joseph Rossoll demonstrated end users will be easy to use. IT transformational leadership strated significant, enduring outstanding contributions to organizations will be responsible qualities at NASA through contributions to humanity the advancement of informa­ for configuring these capabilities, his innovative work including through his extensive efforts tion security. He is a nationally developing strategies and helping launch NASA’s Nebula, helping underserved people recognized leader and NASA ensuring that emerging a cloud computing initiative. in the US and Mexico. He has resource in real-time data My vision is to create the best Anytime, anywhere technologies are beneficial to With its world-class personnel, mentored students, helped systems and data security. IT organization in the Federal collaboration and access to OCIO Excellence in The NASA Glenn NASA. Additionally, the current science, and technology rebuild orphanages, and Government well before 2020. information. Customer Service: OCIO Advancement in Research Center gap between mission IT and capabilities, the Goddard assisted in migrant camps This is a vision based on project Linda McMillen Infrastructure or Cost had a three-day administrative IT will be non­ — Cathy Mangum, Langley Space Flight Center enjoys in Mexico. When home, he execution, results, innovation Linda McMillen embodies a Savings Award: existent. Special IT for missions Research Center an exceptional heritage at volunteers at a regional food Sustainability Summit and value to the mission. For “customer-obsessed” attitude Grace DeLeon will be in the architecture of IT, the cutting edge of space bank in San Jose, CA. September 14 to 16, NASA this means improved through her work, which Grace DeLeon’s efforts on and skills will be transportable. and environmental science. 2010 thanks to the IT management and planning, Moore’s Law predicts that includes chairing the NOMAD OCIO Excellence in the collaborative effort including the implementation of — Jim Rinaldi, Jet Propulsion by the year 2020, Goddard Customer Advisory Council, Innovation: local area networking up­ between the ODIN a strong enterprise architecture Laboratory computing capability will be which, under her leadership, Michael Seablom grades have saved costs by staff and governance process to five times more powerful than prioritized areas to better- Michael Seablom has been reducing redundancy while and the Safety, Health optimize the mission. In order today. Whether in the form of serve NASA customers and a leader in the develop­ providing the capability of in­ and Environmental to look at that future, we need quantum computing or another their e-mail needs. ment of the Climate@Home creasing bandwidth without (SHED) team. The to look at IT across the Federal advanced capability, GSFC’s prototype. Climate@Home is added infrastructure. Government, not just at NASA. OCIO Excellence in a project to evaluate climate Summit highlighted information technologies will We need to look at how to use enable more powerful sensors, Teaching: Pam Leestma change forecasts using the OCIO Student Innovator: green initiatives and technology and how to use producing exponentially more and Neme Alperstein idle capacity of a global net­ Danielle Wood featured hands-on innovation, manage IT to the detailed data, which will be Pam Leestma and Neme Alp­ work of computers offered Danielle Wood won for demonstrations, betterment of the citizens and interpreted through even more erstein won for their unique by volunteers, instead of inspiring the K–12 and peer vendors and breakout what we need to do as a country. In 2020, IT will be integrated sophisticated modeling. team teaching approach that traditional . community through NASA- sessions on topics into our work environment uses technology to connect related outreach activities — Linda Cureton, NASA In 2020, the GSFC team will ranging from waste to the point that it is almost their sixth- and second-grade OCIO Faculty Research and educational interactions still be driving the means by students in California and reduction strategies transparent. Our employees Award: Dr. Carl White as an intern with NASA’s IT will play a major role which mankind observes, New York. Their students Dr. Carl White won the award Innovative Partnership to environmentally will take IT for granted as they in the next 10 years by use a variety of mobile devices measures, and predicts the have interacted with astro­ for innovation in his NASA- Program at GSFC and NASA friendly computing significantly reducing to connect to global networks state of our global environment; nauts and scientists using related research at Morgan Headquarters and as a and office supplies. waste while increasing to access applications and the understanding of our podcasts, video conferences, State University. NASA Student Ambassador. efficiencies throughout data whenever and wherever Sun, solar system, and the webcasts, blogs, websites our Federal Government. they want. The CIOs will beginnings of our universe; and and virtual field trips. We envision deployment leverage customer relationship the identification of exoplanets OCIO Mentor: of a comprehensive set of managers, enterprise architects, capable of sustaining life. The Herbert W. Schilling collaboration tools, allowing and solution architects to attainment of that knowledge Herbert W. Schilling has for a variety of secure, on- work closely with the missions will continue to improve the been an advisor and men­ demand communication from to understand and meet all lives of millions, sustain and tor for many NASA science, any location, featuring built-in their needs. The missions will advance our national economy, I see NASA’s IT as a combination technology, engineering and records management. Video consider the CIO offices close and fire the imaginations of a of value-added services and math outreach efforts with and audio conferencing, IM, strategic partners as they jointly new generation of scientific managed services. The value- high school students includ­ e-mail and file sharing should solve the aerospace problems leaders. And I believe that add consists of solutions which ing the Glenn Research be available from any device, of the future. information technology will are unique, versus commodity- any location, any time. continue to be a tool to sustain Center Explorer Program and like. These solutions can be — Michael Bolger, Kennedy and enrich that effort. Young Day. He (Left to right): Herbert W. Schilling, Michael Seablom, Linda McMillen, Grace accessed from anywhere on — James Williams, Ames Space Center also serves as a mentor and DeLeon, Joseph Rossoll, Linda Cureton, Ernest Lopez, Pam Leestma, James any computing device. These Research Center — Adrian Gardner, Goddard coach for NASA employees. Williams, Neme Alperstein, Dr. Carl White, Danielle Wood and Deborah Diaz solutions will be a combination Space Flight Center

Making IT Stellar at NASA Public site: www.nasa.gov/ocio Internal site: insidenasa.nasa.gov/ocio Remember to Practice JPL Network Good Records Opens Records Facility Launching Conversations: Engineer Retention NASA’s John C. Stennis Space management,” said Stennis specifications and storage Recognized as Center cut the ribbon August Chief Information Officer Dinna criteria set forth by the Marshall’s Video Blog Management of Federal by Emily Townsend, Strategic Communications Team Lead, Schafer Corporation/MSFC Rising Star records, both physical 24 on a new, storm-resistant Cottrell. “This facility ensures National Archives and Records and electronic, is the Records Retention Facility the required Federal records Administration (NARA). With The 2010 Rising Star events, Center or Agency vices. Filming takes place in legal responsibility of that consolidates and protects are preserved, managed and completion of the new building awards program initiatives and other topics of the Center Director’s office, all Federal employees records storage at the nation’s accessible to all interested in May, Stennis became the first recognized Joy Laibl, interest. The site also includes in the television studio or on and many contractors. premier rocket engine test personnel.” NASA Center to open a NARA- the manager of the facility. This facility will also compliant storage facility. a blog, which employees are location. Offsite production NASA is currently The new storage facility will Network Engineer Group house history office operations. encouraged to use to discuss allows the opportunity to share enhancing requirements house and protect the history Stennis leaders used with Office of the Chief subjects presented in the Marshall’s unique facilities with and tools to facilitate “The opening of this dedicated and the historical documents Hurricane Katrina mitigation Information Officer of Center Director video or any employees and provide insight better records records storage facility related to Stennis and its funds to renovate an existing ’ Jet Propulsion other topics. into ongoing work around the management at the emphasizes the importance rocket engine test work. It building to meet the new At Marshall Space Flight Laboratory (JPL). Center. Lightfoot has recorded Agency. of record retention and data was designed to meet all codes. The 2005 storm Center (MSFC), the Office From its start during the time videos at both the Ares 1-X The annual award, damaged several Stennis of the Chief Information of the Launch Pad and the Lunar cosponsored by facilities that previously Officer (OCIO) teamed up Review, the blog was initially Lander Test Bed. Future plans Federal Computer housed records, highlighting with the Office of Strategic used to help keep Marshall include recording at other Week, Government Participants in the the need for a more protective Analysis and Communica- employees up to date about worksite locations as often as Computer News ribbon-cutting event storage environment. tions (OSAC) to create a the progress of the review. feasible. (GCN) and Washington (included from left to new vehicle encouraging Since then, the blog has right): Stennis Center The records retention facility Technology, selected better and more frequent evolved into an interactive Blog posts by individual users Operations Deputy now serves as a central location 24 up-and-coming two-way communication forum for employees to share are read frequently by Mar- Director Gay Irby, for all NASA records at Stennis. professionals in between MSFC’s Director open dialog with the Center shall’s leadership team, who NASA Chief Information It allows for maximum efficiency Government IT who and employees. The online Director and each other about then provide responses. . Officer Linda Cureton, by combining records and have made “an early— Stennis Director Patrick video blog called “Launch- a diverse range of topics. Launching Conversations has records management personnel and substantive—mark Scheuermann, NASA ing Conversations” began in proven to be a successful tool in the same location. The facility Employees are encouraged to in the government IT Chief Archivist Jane September 2009. for Marshall’s Center Direc­ can accommodate 20,000 openly share their ideas, opin­ community.” Odom, Stennis Chief tor and employees. Within the cubic feet of records storage This forum includes a regularly ions, concerns or questions on Information Officer Dinna first four months of operations, Laibl’s work includes Cottrell and Stennis and offers storm-resistant recorded video message from the blog. more than 5,000 of Marshall’s performing assessments Deputy Chief Information protection. Marshall Center Director Robert The Center Director videos nearly 7,000 employees visited of supercomputing Officer James Cluff. Lightfoot to Center employees are recorded and produced the site. Responses continue architectures, mass providing insights into current by Marshall’s television ser- to be overwhelmingly positive. storage, networking, visualization and audio and video post­ NSSC Upgrades Online Services production hardware and software, in www.nssc.nasa.gov/customerservice addition to making recommendations The NASA Shared Services Center The NSSC Information Center provides on emerging network (NSSC) has increased its focus on a significant upgrade to the NSSC’s technologies. providing self-service opportunities website’s search capabilities. The to NASA employees. The NSSC software crawls knowledge articles, web Information Center is a new, web-based content, and public documents in the tool that puts nearly 1,000 Frequently NSSC TechDoc electronic library. This Asked Questions (FAQs) at the fingertips enhancement will allow end users to of website end users. FAQs can be find Service Delivery Guides, reference searched and browsed by category. materials, and other documents with ease. The improved site search will End users have the ability to rate FAQs also simplify site navigation and help to and provide feedback so that content ensure that customers find the specific weaknesses can be addressed. The page they need. feedback can be provided anonymously and takes only seconds to share. Future upgrades will allow employees There is also a convenient method for to create a personalized account, electronically submitting a help desk subscribe to FAQs and receive case to have a specific issue addressed notifications when they are updated by the Customer Contact Center. or changed.

Making IT Stellar at NASA Public site: www.nasa.gov/ocio Internal site: insidenasa.nasa.gov/ocio 2010 IT Showcase at Langley

Langley Research Center (LaRC) held an ODIN Information Technology Showcase on Thursday, July 22 to focus on the benefits of “green IT.” The event, which hosted 476 employees, highlighted products and services available through ODIN, along with new, innovative products and technologies from several ODIN vendors such as Lockheed Martin, Apple, Verizon, Microsoft, AT&T, HP and Dell.

Top row (left to right): NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and CIO Linda Cureton officially open the exhibitor area; Google’s Vint Cerf gets down into the audience to answer questions. Middle row: NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Communications Alan Ladwig announces IT award winners; NASA staff tour the exhibit and “Petting Zoo” area; a robot at the exhibit area. Bottom row: NASA Deputy CIO Deborah Diaz talks with NASA CTO for IT via an “Anybot” with a video monitor on its “head” and wheels that Kemp could control from his location in California; IT Awards; Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour gives a talk called “Zero to Breakthrough Mentality” at the awards luncheon.

Making IT Stellar at NASA Send feedback about IT Talk to John Hopkins at [email protected].

For more information on the Office of the Chief Information Officer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration www.nasa.gov/ocio

Office of the Chief Information Officer insidenasa.nasa.gov/ocio (internal NASA network only) 300 E Street SW Washington, DC 20546 www.facebook.com/NASAcio www.twitter.com/NASAcio www.nasa.gov