Experts Focus on "New Normal" in U.S. National Security; New Technologies and Business Models Tame 'Big Data,' Advance Mission Performance, Reduce Costs

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite what may be the most challenging environment ever for U.S. national security and homeland security organizations, new technologies and solutions are making it possible to improve national security mission performance at an affordable cost. 

That was the message today from the 2nd Annual SAP NS2 Solutions Summit, sponsored by SAP National Security Services™ (SAP NS2™), where more than 400 government executives, program managers, analysts, technical directors, consultants, and journalists heard from a variety of top experts on how to cope with a "perfect storm" of security challenges.   

"The new normal" in U.S. national security, both abroad and at home, includes a longer list of more complicated threats; unprecedented cuts in military and intelligence spending; and a tsunami of data being collected by more and more humans, machines and networks. 

"This is the toughest environment I've ever seen for national security," says SAP NS2 President Mark Testoni, a 30-year veteran of public sector management.  "Traditional technologies and business models are not going to keep up."    

"The good news is we're seeing an incredible convergence of new technologies – Big Data platforms, real-time analytics, geospatial – which can be blended with legacy solutions to turbo-charge performance while trimming costs.  SAP NS2 is offering these new alternatives in a market that desperately needs innovation."       

SAP solutions featured at the event – all tailored to the needs of U.S. national security and critical infrastructure organizations and delivered by SAP NS2, an independent, 100%-U.S. subsidiary of SAP – were Real Time Situational Awareness; Information Integration; Actionable Insights and Big Data Analytics; Smart Mobility & Apps; Performance Management; Condition-Based Maintenance; and Geospatial with SAP HANA.   

Keynote speakers at the event were Gen. Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan; and Frances Townsend, chair of the SAP NS2 Board of Directors and former assistant to President George W. Bush for homeland security and counter-terrorism.

Other prominent experts included Jason Matheny of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA); Carmen Medina of Deloitte; Phil Mudd of the Crumpton Group; Victoria Romero of Charles River Analytics; Noah Shachtman of Foreign Policy magazine; and Tom Wein of Behavioral Dynamics Institute.

SAP NS2 also used the occasion to highlight its commitment to veterans' causes, starting with launching a new training and employment assistance program for U.S. military service veterans. 

NS2 Serves will offer training courses in SAP solutions geared for national security applications, leading to certifications that will be valuable in many career paths in the U.S. and worldwide.

Over a three-month period, full-time, paid trainees will undergo training in business process integration; military supply chain management (SCM); presentation and communication skills; preparation of a case study to solve a customer problem; weekly discussions with a business mentor; "soft skills" training and support; and access to an exclusive job fair with potential employers.  Trainees will receive a monthly stipend; mid-term bonuses for completion of requirements; and, upon graduation, placement assistance to work for SAP NS2 or another organization in its partner ecosystem.  Training will kick off in Bethesda, Maryland, on March 3, 2014 and continue through the end of May.  Interested parties may visit www.SAPNS2.com/veterans to get more information and submit a resume.

In another show of commitment to veterans, SAP NS2 shared its stage with Billy Hurley, a Navy veteran and PGA TOUR professional, representing Birdies for the Brave; and Steve Kupcha, a longtime activist for veterans, representing the Military Warrior Support Foundation (MWSF).  In partnership with Bank of America, MWSF under its "Homes4WoundedHeroes" program, awarded a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home near Charlottesville, Virginia to wounded veteran Mitchell Grimes, Specialist, E-4, U.S. Army retired.  Specialist Grimes served as an infantryman from October 2009 to March 2013 and was wounded by an enemy rocket near Kirkuk, Iraq in 2011. 

"As a company, we never forget that some of the chief beneficiaries of our work are all the military personnel from the front lines to the back office who rely on us to help them perform their missions more effectively," said Testoni.  "From our new NS2 Serves program to our other vets-related initiatives, we are deeply committed to giving back to our community." 

About SAP National Security Services™ (SAP NS2™)
SAP National Security Services, Inc.™ (SAP NS2™) is an independent U.S. subsidiary of the global enterprise software company SAP, offering a full suite of world-class enterprise applications, analytics, database, cyber security, cloud, and mobility software solutions from SAP, with specialized levels of security and support to meet the unique mission requirements of U.S. national security and critical infrastructure customers. In addition to software solutions, SAP NS2 offers consulting and support services from credentialed experts in the national security space. See how SAP NS2 can help your organization run faster, smarter, leaner in the most secure environments at www.SAPNS2.com. Follow us on LinkedIn (SAP National Security Services) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/SAPNS2). SAP National Security Services™ and SAP NS2™ are trademarks owned by SAP National Security Services, Inc.

Military Warriors Support Foundation
Military Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by Lt. General, Leroy Sisco, USA (Ret), in 2007. Their Mission is to provide support for our nation's combat wounded heroes and Gold Star Families as they transition out of the military and into their new civilian life. This is a very fragile time for these heroes, and their families, and it is the foundations goal to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition. These programs include home donation, academic and employment assistance, as well as recreational activities. For more information please visit MilitaryWarriors.org.

SOURCE SAP National Security Services