CTOvision

In this podcast I interviewed Linda Cureton, CEO and Founder of Muse Technologies. Linda was formerly the CIO of NASA, and an accomplished author. Muse Technologies offers consulting services, strategy development and program development. As the CIO of NASA, Linda was key in implementing numerous advancements, including one of the largest clouds available to federal agencies. Linda and I talked about some of the challenges facing federal decision makers, and how she sees some key technologies (such as cloud, mobile and more) enabling and interfering with workflow. Linda wrote The Leadership Muse in 2012, in which she details encounters with great leaders (find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or iTunes). You can connect with Linda on her website, Twitter or with her on LinkedIn. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast Ray Falcione of Brocade personally invites CTOvision podcast listeners (and our blog readers) to the Federal Forum 2013. Ray Falcione is a senior business manager responsible for the intelligence community for Brocade. Brocade has partnered with MeriTalk to host an event that should be excellent. You can read my preview of the event here. Ray is especially excited for the keynote by Terry Halvorsen, the CIO of the Navy, among other speakers at this event. It will start with breakfast and registration at 7:15 AM on the 6th of August at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center. There will be three independent tracks, Strategic Optimization, the New Network Manager and some Technology Deep Dives. As well, the day will end with a special roundtable of former IC executives, including Bob Bigman, former CISO at CIA, Jill Singer, former CIO at NRO and our own Bob Gourley, the former CTO at DIA. This will be a special day, so make sure to sign up with code “Smart 13.” You can sign up here. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.  

In this podcast I interviewed Curt Beckmann, Principal Architect, Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Brocade. Curt is extremely influential in the Open Networking Foundation and spends a lot of time working with groups creating new, more agile network standards. A software defined networking (SDN) and cloud evangelist, Curt and I got into some of the nitty-gritty of how SDN and cloud can make agencies more agile and efficient, save money, and better meet future challenges. Curt discussed how networking has gone from a computing bottleneck into a computing enabler, as SDN decouples data from the instructions. This allows for enhanced computing flexibility. Curt discussed what he sees as some of the value adds of public, private and hybrid clouds, and the ways that they can help agencies with tough computing problems. One value he sees in using hosted cloud services is gaining evolutionary steps in software and hardware, without having to pay for upgrades. He also believes that SDN and cloud architecture offers an OPEX savings which then can be re-invested in better service and additional delivered capabilities. He sees the cloud as a way to provide shared services with incremental costs and minimal upfront investments. Lastly we discussed some myths that surround SDN, including costs, what the OpenFlow capability means and whether or not the network stack should resemble the compute stack. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I interviewed Pushpa Chandra, Principal Product Manager at Silver Tail. Pushpa has been working with big data for years, and is a part of the Silver Tail team that develops their web capability. Silver Tail was recently purchased by EMC, and is a part of their RSA security portfolio. Pushpa talked a little about how our current security models and capabilities are not ready to meet the threats they face. Targeted and complex attacks are able to foil our defenses, and attacks such as DDoS pick away at our network capabilities and limit their effectiveness.  Recently, Silver Tail released the fourth generation of their web capability, which delivers an enhanced visualization platform as well as a streaming analytics capability. This allows users to more easily interact with the data they are viewing, and offer them enhanced decision making. If you have more questions on Silver Tail, find them on their website, here. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.  

In this podcast I interviewed Reagan Kling, Director of Federal Programs at Platfora. Reagan has over 25 years of experience working with the federal government. Platfora transforms Apache Hadoop™ from batch engine into a subsecond-interactive, exploratory business intelligence and analytics platform designed for business analysts. This has never been done before, and getting there involves far more than putting a pretty user interface on top of Hadoop. Reagan and I discussed the value that Platfora can add to an organization, and why enhanced business intelligence built on Hadoop is so important. We talked about how In-Memory processing allows access to big data in sub-second results, providing the computing speed necessary for real-time access and decision making. Platfora is based on HTML5, which provides a strong and flexible foundation for display and interaction. Platfora offers business intelligence for your big data, providing analytics without requiring coding knowledge. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I interviewed Jim Mills, Federal Account Manager at AppSense. AppSense looks to empower enterprises to liberate employees while providing the appropriate levels of governance and security. Their vision is a people-centric world, where technology is a transparent enabler of productivity. AppSense recently teamed with CTOvision to conduct the 2013 Federal User Experience Survey (some info here). We talked about how the federal enterprise environment is moving to a multi-platform environment, executives are showing a great deal of demand for multi-platform, while technologists worry about being able to deliver seamless integration and security. Jim hopes this survey can help Federal IT decision makers to move forward with a multi-platform environment. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I interviewed Alicia Saia, Senior Manager, Solutions Marketing, Public Sector at MarkLogic. Alicia and I talked a lot about how MarkLogic is helping to change the way people look at data, how it integrates with their current generation and legacy systems, and how MarkLogic is helping agencies and corporations do business better. Alicia talked about how MarkLogic offers a data layer that provides automatic aggregation and index, to speed search and discovery. Databases with the MarkLogic data layer are characterized by flexibility, interoperability and speed. Some companies that have recently used MarkLogic to great success (and great ROI are Sony and Springer). Alicia talked about how easily MarkLogic connects with both Hadoop (HDFS) and legacy systems, allowing for true de-siloing without collocation. If you’re looking for more information on MarkLogic and Hadoop, go here. Alicia mentioned a couple of interesting use cases, including one with Raytheon, and another supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I examine some of the top cyber stories of the past week.There are many Apache websites unsecured, data breaches continue to cost the US more than any other nation and more. As well we delve into HHS’s new Datapalooza initiatives and some neat Android sensors developed by DARPA. Track issues of high interest to the chief technology officer, chief information officer, chief information security officer and enterprise technology team. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I interviewed Bob Butler, Chief Information Security Officer at IO. IO is the leading provider of next-generation modular data center technology and services designs, engineers and delivers cloud enabling data center infrastructure and software for the world’s largest enterprises, governments and service providers. Bob spoke a bit about his varied and decorated career, including retiring from the US Air Force as a Colonel and service in the Defense Department’s senior executive service. Mr Butler was also the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. Bob Butler’s service has made him an expert in the field of security, both in the physical and cyber domains. Bob and I talked about how he believes that we do not have a solid foundation for a secure stack, and he thinks that the security offered by IO’s data centers provides the foundation necessary. Bob sees no real difference between the physical and cyber domains and believes that proper planning and foresight takes the intersection of the two into consideration. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I examine some of the top cyber stories of the past week. The Chinese IP theft issues are still going strong, requiring comment from the President as well as leading some people down some pretty freaky paths. GSA has unveiled their government-wide MDM program which will be a big boost to mobile security in the federal space. As well, the Treasury Department is saving money on printing coins using data analytics (w00t w00t). CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast I discuss some of the weeks' mobile news. Including the following: Jawbone bringing the UP bracelet application to Android Google Merging Android and Chrome OS Watching NCAA Tournament buzzer beaters Amazon's $99 tablet and how it will affect Apple Google Keep, their note taking capability Subdermal bluetooth implants CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Ryan Kamauff In this podcast I discuss some of the weeks earlier cyber news, including some effects of sequestration, news on a proof of concept by NIST and some thoughts on mobile security. It is the product of yesterday’s and today’s cyber dailies. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Ryan Kamauff In today’s podcast Bob Gourley and I discuss the value of Mobile devices in the enterprise. We talk about using the Cloud to protect the enterprise and the data center, and architectural decisions surround cloud and mobile computing. Bob and I dip into wearable computing (I cannot wait, he is a little less excited), and talk about how it can (or will?) affect the future of mobile computing. Lastly, we discussed the issues that mobile devices have with creating content versus consuming it, and how they can be advanced to help support creation and enterprise tasks. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Ryan Kamauff In this podcast I interview our own Bob Gourley to discuss Big Data. We talked about what Big Data is, how it is created and how to manage it. Also, we talked about some of Bob’s favorite Big Data uses, where he’d like to see it (hint: DC Traffic), and some current uses of Big Data. Bob mentions the National Cancer Institute funded Frederick National Laboratory, winner of the 2012 CTOvision Government Big Data Solutions Award (more details here). CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Bob Gourley In this podcast we discuss some of the impacts of sequestration, and dive a bit deeper into the impact that these cuts are having on federally focused conferences. We also discuss other ways that government professionals can keep learning about advanced technologies, like more use of webinars and online demos and the CTOlabs directory of disruptive technology.   CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.  

By Bob Gourley In this podcast we explore the topic of Cyber Threat Amnesia, the observed historical tendency of people in leadership positions in organizations to forget that they face a dynamic, changing threat that will always be there trying to find a way in. We also talk about ways that Cyber Threat Amnesia can be mitigated and perhaps one day cured. As always we appreciate your feedback. Do you have suggestions on ways to reduce Cyber Threat Amnesia  If so please contact us and help us solve this apparently never ending issue. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Bob Gourley In this podcast we provide an update on the recent Chinese espionage stories including discussion of Mandiant’s recent reports, and we talk about Jason Healey’s well articulated opinions on what should be done about the threat.  We also provide other context on the technology news and analysis you will want to track. We also announce a new event, the 16-17 April HP Government Software Summit. We hope to see you there. Please stay in touch and let us know what other topics we should cover for you in these podcasts.   CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Bob Gourley In this podcast we provide context on several upcoming technology events in the DC area and dive deep into the technology news impacting federal enterprise technologists. We also provide an admin note in response to your inputs. Our goals with this podcast series is to provide context for technologists on the go, and your input indicates you want more. Many have told us they want these podcasts to be longer, with more context (since many of you have longer commutes). Others have indicated a desire to hear more interviews and deeper dives into technology. We will work to address all those inputs. To provide us more feedback please contact us here.   Topics in this podcast include: The 25 Feb IBM Analyst Notebook event, the 7 March Data Center Brainstorm, the 7 March Government Big Data Forum and the 8 April DIA Mission Conference. For more info on these and others see: http://ctovision.com/cto-events/ Some recent “FUD” on military use of industrial control systems. The unfair treatment of Raytheon by some in the press.   CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

By Bob Gourley In this podcast we offer assessments on two coming events of high interest, the 7 March Government Big Data Forum and the 8-10 April DIA Worldwide Mission Conference. We also offer context on these stories:  Important Observations on Pentagon IT from Arthur Herman and John Scott and Joint Information Environment – Increment II? This could soon be the hottest program in DoD IT.  CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

  In this podcast we review a great post by GSA's CIO on Big Data, we talk DoD budget issues and coalition matters.   CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.  

By Ryan Kamauff In today’s podcast, I discuss some of the early mobile news of the week. Topics discussed include: Android 4.2.2 could roll out this month Google’s Big Potential Problem: The ‘Galaxy’ Brand is Starting to Beat the ‘Android’ Brand BlackBerry bribes — ah, rewards — app developers with a limited edition red Z10 Why I continue to jailbreak 200 Million Workers Want Windows 8 Tablets, Not iPads Rumor: Apple’s next iPad mini to pack 324ppi Retina display HTC Earnings Reveal New Foray Into Emerging Markets ASUS MeMo Pad is Official, Features Android 4.1 and 1024 x 600 Display ‘Evasi0n’ Arrives as First Untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 5 and iOS 6.x You can find the full reports here and here.   CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

  Gartner projects that by 2016, 70 percent of leading BI vendors will have incorporated natural-language and spoken-word capabilities. This is consistent with things I have been learning from leaders in this space like Thetus, Cloudera and Datameer.  Here is more from their 24 January 2013 release on the topic: By 2016, 70 percent of leading BI vendors will have incorporated natural-language and spoken-word capabilities. BI/analytics vendors continue to be slow in providing language- and voice-enabled applications. In their rush to port their applications to mobile and tablet devices, BI vendors have tended to focus only on adapting their traditional BI point-and-click and drag-and-drop user interfaces to touch-based interfaces. Over the next few years, BI vendors are expected to start playing a quick game of catch-up with the virtual personal assistant market. Initially, BI vendors will enable basic voice commands for their standard interfaces, followed by natural language processing of spoken or text input into SQL queries. Ultimately, “personal analytic assistants” will emerge that understand user context, offer two-way dialogue, and (ideally) maintain a conversational thread. “Many of these technologies can and will underpin these voice-enabled analytic capabilities, rather than BI vendors or enterprises themselves developing them outright,” said Douglas Laney, research vice president at Gartner.” Gartner provides more detailed analysis in their report titled ”Predicts 2013: Business Intelligence and Analytics Need to Scale Up to Support Explosive Growth in Data Sources.” The report is available on Gartner’s website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=2269516. To track these trends closely be sure you have signed up for our CTOvision.com Daily.  You can also choose to select weekly editions of our reporting including the Government Big Data Weekly and the Analytical Tools Report.  

In today's Podcast, I discuss BlackBerry 10, RIM's name change and the Z10 and Q10 BlackBerry smartphones. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.

In this podcast, Bob and Ryan discuss some of the recent government and cyber news. OMB releases IT accessibility guidance German Activists Punch Out Big Brother’s Eyes Weatherford Outlines DHS Cybersecurity Goals DOE to invest $9 million in solar big data projects Navy delays NGEN decision to May US looks hard at China over cyber-espionage Data encryption adds twist to ransomware Balancing IT security at the Postal Service We hope you enjoy the show, please find the full posts on CTOvision.com, here and here. CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.  

Today I discuss some of the mobile news from earlier in the week. I do not really get into BlackBerry (that will be a separate post). I discussed the following topics in this post: Nexus 7 sequel rumors T-Mobile’s iPhone monthly installments Gameloft’s big Q4 earnings The Pebble Smartwatch Corning’s Gorilla Glass sales Samsung’s big Q4 Huawei as the third smartphone maker globally Open Garden and TextMe teaming up iOS 6.1 The 128GB iPad 4 NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 reference devices. These were all covered in daily mobile reviews as well on CTOvision.com (found here and here). CTOvision Podcasts are available in iTunes and via our RSS feeds for listening in your favorite device. Please subscribe for content while on the go.