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Government solution providers say they expect to see dramatic changes in security in the wake of the Washington Navy Yard shooting spree that resulted in the death of 12 people in addition to the man authorities said is responsible for the shooting.
That individual, Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, worked at The Experts, a solution provider based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. with a government-focused practice based in the Washington, D.C., area.
"One can only assume contractors are going to be looked at more closely with regard to background checks and clearance," said a 30-year executive for a government integrator in the Washington, D.C., area, who did not want to be identified. "I am sure there are people out there right now who have clearance that shouldn't. I think the government has to make a decision on whether it will review all clearances it has provided and start looking more closely at people."
[Related: Navy Yard Shooter Worked At Solution Provider 500 Company]
The government IT executive speculated that federal agencies may ask supervisors overseeing government contracts to immediately flag "out of the ordinary" behavior of government contractors. "These things just don't happen. There are always signs, whether it is Fort Hood or Sandy Hook," he said. "This is very, very sad. You have 12 innocent victims that were just going to work on Monday morning, trying to make a living, just like you and me."
Changes already appear to be under way. President Obama Tuesday ordered an extensive review of the security clearance process. An official review already is being undertaken by the office of the Director of National Intelligence. That review stems from a 2012 report from the Government Accountability Office that highlighted the extensive costs associated with conducting an investigation on individuals seeking top-secret clearances.
"At the president's direction, OMB [the Office of Management and Budget] is examining standards for contractors and employees across federal agencies," said White House press secretary Jay Carney in a briefing with reporters on Tuesday. "This is obviously a matter that the president believes and has believed merits review."
The CEO for a Southeast government integrator, who did not want to be identified, said he believes the Navy Yard shooting ultimately will lead to changes in how IT contractors are approved to be on a government site. "It's going to take more paperwork to get contractors on-site," he said.
What's more, he believes there will be increased use of biometric security on government facilities. "There ought to be retina scans to get into these bases," the CEO said.
Industry observers and recruiters involved in placing IT talent in the public and private sectors told CRN that hiring should involve taking into account more than a candidate's credentials.
"As an industry we put way too much emphasis on certifications and documentation and that winds up clouding our judgment when it comes down to people, talent and capability," said Lee J. Kushner, founder and CEO of L. J. Kushner and Associates, a firm that specializes in recruiting information security professionals.
NEXT: Tighter Restrictions Coming For Government Contractors?
