First, an Introduction is In Order…

Let me introduce you to the National Security Presidential Directive 54 (NSPD-54) a.k.a. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (HSPD-23) a.k.a. the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI) or more simply, “Project 12.” All of these names refer to a multi-billion program proposed by President Bush in January of this year, wherein the basic goal of the program is “to better protect computer networks and systems, and to improve information technology processes and policies,” according to a NextGov article.

Pretty much everything else about this project is under lock and key. A few details have been forth coming over the last few months, but by and large, the initiative’s depth and breadth have yet to be released to the public.

Some have argued that we need not worry about the unknown quantities of this program – like cost, management parameters, and objectives – because it is, after all, about security. I for one have heard this argument way too many times for my own comfort, and anytime someone is so bold to suggest such a thing, it makes me all the more suspicious. Over the next few days, I’ll try to put a face to this phantom and we’ll see if the lines between the dots can become clearer. I’ll discuss what is known about CNCI, including the twelve programs that were outlined at a recent government cybersecurity symposium; I’ll outline what direction I think this wind is blowing, with regards to who’s steering this ship on Uncle Sam’s side of the family; and finally, we’ll do some number crunching and some contractor watching, to get a feel for how the procurement of this lovely directive can be bollixed.

Please stay tuned.  I am Edwin Constant and The Co-Op is just getting revved up.

– The Co-Op is a haphazardly updated column, focused on the mysterious and bewildering world of United States government procurement. The views and opinions of its author(s) are usually based in hard fact, but contradictory information is always welcome. Cheers.