Mount Everest Consultancy

"Being 'Brilliant at the Basics' is not just a slogan; it is a mission imperative." Honorable Kirsten Davies, Department of War CIO.

For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Department of War is highlighting a crucial truth: no matter how advanced our technology gets, defense always starts with foundational cyber hygiene across both IT and OT environments.

Four habits to focus on this month and beyond:
🔹 Be Aware of connected risks
🔹 Be Vigilant with access and phishing
🔹 Be Secure through patching and encryption
🔹 Be Connected by reporting suspicious activity

How is your organization reinforcing the basics this month?

Department of War Champions 'Brilliant at the Basics' for Cybersecurity Awareness Month The Office of the Chief Information Officer launched the War Department's "Brilliant at the Basics" campaign for Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

For traditional SMBs, federal contracts, capital access, and specialized financing programs are critical lifelines. Widening the eligibility pool means smaller companies may soon be competing directly against multi-hundred-million-dollar entities for the same dedicated resources.

Policy defines opportunity. As these standard definitions evolve, staying informed and vocal is vital for founders and operators.

How do you see this potential policy shift impacting your sector?

Trump Administration Wants Billion-Dollar Businesses to Qualify as ‘Small’ Higher revenue and employee limits for small businesses that get federal contracts and loans could disadvantage the smallest companies, their owners say.

Another major executive shakeup in the defense sector.
L3Harris Technologies has removed CEO Christopher Kubasik following an ethics investigation. Notably, this marks Kubasik’s second ethics-related departure from a major defense contractor in 14 years, following his 2012 exit from Lockheed Martin.
A few key takeaways from this development:
Board Governance: Boards are taking a zero-tolerance approach to executive conduct, prioritizing corporate governance and ethical standards even at the highest levels.
Corporate Culture & Risk: For prime defense contractors handling critical national security contracts, leadership integrity remains just as crucial as operational ex*****on.
Succession & Stability: The focus now turns to how L3Harris manages leadership continuity and maintains stakeholder trust during the transition.

How do you see this impacting governance standards across the defense industry?

L3Harris ousts CEO Chris Kubasik over unspecified 'conduct,' stock drops 4% Chris Kubasik was ousted as Lockheed Martin's incoming CEO in 2012 after what that company called a "close personal relationship with a subordinate employee."

Protecting domestic manufacturing isn't just an economic move, it’s increasingly viewed as a core pillar of national security and supply chain resilience. The question now is: Can U.S. domestic supply chains ramp up capacity quickly enough to meet the surging demand?

Drone stocks rally after Trump orders tariffs on foreign-made components The U.S. is looking to scale defense manufacturing and chip away at China's drone dominance.

For those interested in CMMC I training, The Ohio State University is offering a course on this topic. Please feel free to enroll using the link below: https://lnkd.in/ezc7ShHU

The course fee is $295. You may contact [email protected] to request a 50% discount code.

Class is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Though we embrace diverse viewpoints and backgrounds, we share a unified future. The enduring strength of our country is rooted in its people, its foundational constitutional principles, and the common liberties we enjoy.

Together, we can continue to foster a society defined by opportunity, dignity, and mutual respect for all.

May God bless the United States of America. Happy 250 years of independence.

Happy Independence Day from Mount Everest Consulting 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate our nation’s freedoms while reflecting on the responsibilities we share. We believe that true organizational and community strength is built on faith, service, and integrity.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12

Wishing our clients, partners, and community a safe, joyful, and reflective Fourth of July.

Friends in the Baltimore area, if you are aware of individuals experiencing homelessness, please feel free to share the following resource:

Location: 300 East 29th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

Services Provided: Free food, clothing, and toiletries

Date and Time: Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced plans to resume the rollout of its new electronic health record (EHR) system, marking the end of a three-year hiatus. The transition period was utilized to address technical challenges and optimize the platform to ensure a seamless experience for both healthcare providers and veterans.

Key Highlights of the Resumption:
I. System Enhancements: The hiatus allowed for critical software updates and workflow refinements based on initial pilot feedback.

II. Strategic Phasing: The rollout will proceed with a renewed focus on site readiness and comprehensive staff training.

III. Improved Patient Care: The unified system aims to centralize veteran health data, facilitating more coordinated and efficient care across the VA network.

After three-year hiatus, VA to resume rollout of new electronic medical records system | Mount Everest Consulting After a three-year pause, the Department of Veterans Affairs is resuming the rollout of its electronic medical records system.: https://lnkd.in/eKz7akea

The U.S. Navy is restructuring its acquisition enterprise by creating five new Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) organizations as part of a broader reform effort. These new PAEs: Maritime, Undersea, Industrial Operations, Strategic Systems Programs, and Marine Corps build on the initial Robotics and Autonomous Systems PAE and each will be led by a single, accountable senior official. The model consolidates authority for contracting, technical oversight, life-cycle management, and sustainment planning, which were previously dispersed across systems commands, to cut bureaucracy and accelerate decision-making. Navy leaders intend the PAE construct to move the organization away from a compliance-driven, fragmented structure toward one centered on speed, innovation, and disciplined risk management. This reform, aligned with the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, will become the standard for the Navy’s acquisition enterprise, with additional PAEs for aviation, mission systems, and mu*****ns under development and potential future PAEs for shore and supply functions under review:

Navy unveils acquisition reform, establishes five more PAE organizations -… | Mount Everest Consulting The U.S. Navy has announced a significant restructuring of its acquisition enterprise with the establishment of five new Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) organizations as part of a broader, department-wide acquisition reform effort: https://lnkd.in/e4Kx7TTK