Body cams expand, cyber agency launches and DISA deal protested

CBP takes body cams into the field

Customs and Border Protection has moved testing of body-worn cameras into the field as the second phase of its feasibility study of the technology continues.

In December, CBP completed the first test phase in training environments at the agency's training academies. Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske chartered an agency-wide working group to integrate the body camera technology into CBP's law enforcement operations after a comprehensive review of the agency's use of force policy in 2013.

The agency said in a Feb. 20 statement that the cameras will be tested at CBP facilities in Detroit; West Palm Beach, Fla.; El Paso, Texas; and Seattle and Blaine, Wash.

Phase II evaluation of body worn cameras is scheduled to be completed in mid-2015.

White House establishes cyber-threat agency

The White House on Feb. 25 formally established a new cyber intelligence agency modeled after the National Counterterrorism Center. The Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center is an effort to fuse intelligence to give agencies a clearer view of cyber-threat patterns.

A White House announcement said the new center does not give the intelligence community any additional authorities to collect intelligence or conduct operations. The Director of National Intelligence is in the process of organizing the new agency, which the White House expects to house about 50 people from different departments and agencies.

The new agency will "ensure consistent downgrading of intelligence to the lowest classification level to make government-held, classified information actionable and more widely available," Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

DISA's $1.6B deal with VMWare on hold after protests

The Defense Information Systems Agency has put a hold on a proposed $1.6 billion joint enterprise licensing agreement with VMWare, following a wave of protests from other vendors, Defense Systems reported.

DISA sought the agreement as a way to consolidate its work with VMWare and save money. When it issued its solicitation Feb. 9, the agency said only VMWare or one of its authorized resellers could bid. Since then, four companies -- Amazon Web Services, Citrix, Minburn Technology Group and Nutanix – have filed protests with the Government Accountability Office, claiming the agreement gives VMWare an unfair advantage.