The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was recognized at ISC East, with two ‘ASTORS’ Platinum Awards for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
American Security Today honored the OPM for achievement for:
-
The Interagency Security, Department of Justice, for Excellence in Interagency Security Risk Management Process for Federal Government
-
The DOJ SEC Office of Personnel Management, for Excellence in Risk Management Process Training for State Government
On hand to accept the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Excellence in Homeland Security Awards was John Rossiter, Security Administrator, Security and Exchange Commission, Janet White, Education Program Director, Office of Personnel Management, Reid Hilliard, Department of Justice, and Kevin McCombs Security Specialist Office of Personnel Management (OPM.)
The 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The OPM team joined over 100 distinguished guests from National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Executives from companies allied to Government, gathered from across North America and the Middle East to be honored from disciplines across the Security Industry in their respective fields.
Recognized for their Innovative Training and Education Programs, Outstanding Product Development Achievements and Exciting New Technologies to address the growing Homeland Security Threats our Nation is facing.
American Security Today was formed after careful reflection of 9/11 and its aftermath when the Department of Homeland Security was established and there was an immediate explosion of new products and solutions for what was perceived as an imminent second attack on primary targets in the United States.
As time moved forward from 9/11 itself and in recent years, the threats to our nation have evolved from a large scale 9/11 type attack to:
- Domestic and International Terrorist Attacks carried out by ‘lone wolves’ and coordinated individuals
- Cybersecurity breach attacks against our government agencies, financial institutions and critical infrastructure facilities
- Unprecedented urban violence
- Cultural shifts and societal media bias, which make it increasingly difficult to secure our nation in this constantly evolving threat environment.
These current circumstances have put forward another rapid expansion of new ideas, products and solutions to combat these ever changing challenges.
These changes have called for a new generation of security experts in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields who need real time knowledge of our ever growing threats.
These experts include the Government at the Federal, State and Local levels as well as from Private Firms specializing in Physical Security, Port Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security responsible for implementing coordinated security measures to ensure our Nation’s Security and improve Public Safety.
Together, each of these entities work together seamlessly on the front lines of protecting our communities, to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Towards that end, the Office of Personnel Management recently signing academic agreements offering Federal Employees Reduced Tuition Rates and Scholarships to Pursue Post-Secondary Education with four new colleges and universities, bringing the total number of colleges and universities in the Federal Academic Alliance to 15.
The newest additions include:
- Catholic University of America Metropolitan School of Professional Studies
- Pace University iPace Program
- Park University, and
- Utica College
“This Federal Academic Alliance provides Federal Government employees and their families with access to opportunities to earn a variety of bachelor and master degrees,” said OPM Acting Director Kathy McGettigan.
“We will continue to work with colleges and universities to provide the Federal workforce with opportunities to obtain the education they need to meet today’s Federal workplace challenges.”
“The Alliance will also help agencies close critical skills gaps, enabling the Federal workforce to fulfill its mission to serve the American people.”
The Federal Academic Alliance provides an additional tool for agencies to address their respective critical skills shortages, retirement, and attrition exacerbating these skill gaps, hiring freezes, and anticipated reductions in most agency budgets.
The academic agreements provide reduced tuition rates from 5 percent to 70 percent and/or scholarships to Federal employees.
Some of the agreements also extend benefits to spouses and legal dependents of Federal employees.
The portfolio of these institutions include programs that address some of the Federal Government’s mission-critical occupation skills in the areas of Acquisition, Human Resources, Financial Auditing, Economics, Information Technology with an emphasis on Cybersecurity, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
OPM continues the effort to close skills gaps, increase Federal employees’ access to high-quality, affordable educational resources, and further develop and sustain the Federal workforce.
To learn more about the programs, admissions, and contact information for each school, please visit the Federal Academic Alliance wiki page.
OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance – with a Mission to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People.
