The WashDCY2K workgroup had their meeting tonight. There was a fairly light turnout, no where near the 500 person capacity and more like 200 or so (which was fine with us since that meant there was more food available at the pre-meeting buffet... :0)
Presenting were Janet Abrams (assistant director, Presidents Council on Y2K Conversion) and Joel Willemssen, GAO squared off to update us on what going on.
Highlights are consistent with what most have read already reference 95-95% compliance on mission critical Federal systems. Most of the deliquent systems are located in DOD, but the Pentagon has apparently assured Koskinen that none of these systems will impact national security.
Interesting note: FAA originally focused on 7 critical systems, but now is tracking over 990+ systems they consider critical. 200 are still undergoing remediation/testing. However, confidence is high that there will be few disruptions (hmmm... whatever they say.. right?)
Cory Hamasaki was there, but didn't ask any questions.. Just sat there with his laptop clicking out his next Y2K weather report for his paying audience. I think Y2K has become a money maker for him and that's disappointing.
Jim Lord was there as well, sporting some interesting looking sideburns. In a humourous moment, he stood up in the Q&A session and addressed the "Pentagon Y2K papers" and asked why the Army and Air Force versions were not available like the Navy one is.
Janet Abrams, apparently not having ever met Jim, mentioned that Jim Lord had presented the report several weeks ago... wherein Jim cut her off and said... "I'm Jim Lord"... to which we all had a good laugh... :0)
Anyway... she actually thanked him for posting stirring up the hornet's nest because apparently the uproar suddenly caused a surge of communications from the utilities who had been slow to respond to previous requests for information.
One point that disturbed me was that she stated that one their major concerns is the international arena where Y2K related info is sketchy or non-existent. Anyone there could only leave with the impression that this lack of info from overseas could have drastic psychological impact on foreign markets. I asked her whether Clinton had addressed Y2K in his APEC speech, or whether APEC was dealing with the issue there as was initially the plan, but she couldn't answer my question.
When I asked whether the State Dept travel advisory would create a condition of market fear overseas, she only stated that Wall Street would know more about Y2K preparations than they currently know. To which I responded, "I guess Wall Street isn't talking with you"... (I was tactful).
Abrams was quite intelligent and well versed on the issues, but she freely admitted that she is not John Koskinen. However, she did make out the point that while Koskinen tends to be an optimist, she is more pessimistic in just accepting what she hears. She demands more reassurance from both federal and private sectors. And thus far, she has heard and seen enough to feel confident the power and lights will be on and the bank accounts secure. Willemssen also expressed optimism that there would be few major disruptions here in the US on a national scale.
But she and Willemssen both expressed continued concern about the state and local authorities and the fact that end to end testing cannot be fully implemented in govt systems until all components are deemed remediated. So they expect there will still be some problems, but not economic show stoppers.
That's my synopsis for now considering the time.
Regards,
Ron |
