Over the past twelve-years, SDS has been involved in a variety of projects reflecting the evolution and quick expansion of the Internet and related technologies. The fast evolution of the Internet was unfortunately accompanied by a flood of security breaches and well known hacking incidents, which became the initial firing shots in the on-going struggle between security professionals and the legions of hackers and designers of viruses, penetration tools and other security breaching software. SDS' involvement with IT related security focused on Cisco solutions in particular and standards based methodologies from bodies such as ISC2.
In the late 1990s, SDS started a new initiative targeting the implementation of International Standards Based Management Systems in general and ISO 14000, Environmental Management Systems, in particular. We were one of the first firms to deploy ISO14000 Management Support Systems, which were tailored for individual clients in industries such as science research and pharmaceuticals.
The turn of the century found our organization focusing more on business processes, standards based solutions and the impact of human decision-making on risks and performance factors. In parallel, we started a process, which shifted our product lines from over the counter client-server products to web-enabled, tailored solutions. This shift in focus proved prophetic in that, by the summer of 2001, we were primarily engaged in the development of process analysis driven solutions and research into security at various levels, from IT to culture. Then came September 11, 2001…
In 2002, SDS was approached and asked to participate in a series of homeland defense related projects by Environmental Resources Engineering and the University of Colorado at Colorado Spring’s (UCCS) Network Information and Space Security Center (NISSC). We have focused much of our research, development and deployment efforts over the past four years on homeland research, risk and threat management, disaster preparedness and business competitiveness. In 2003, SDS began an association with AC Macris Consultants, a firm focusing on contextual business leadership. Today, SDS is deeply engaged in studies and solutions focusing on the effects of terrorism, Globalization, off shoring, technology, government policy and other factors important to business competition, security, military and law enforcement.
Since 1989, SDS has been researching methods for delivering solutions faster and with greater quality. Our research involved a variety of tools and strategies, which initially focused on rapid development of software and databases. Over the past five years, the research coallesed around a philosophy and approach that extended beyond IT and software to expert services and management consulting. Working with AC Macris Consultants, the philosophy and approach were standardized under what we refer to as the Thorough and Urgent Delivery (TUD) method. TUD delivers accelerated ROI realization through a variety of means, including:
- Ensuring that benefits accrue from the earliest possible point in the engagement process,
- Leveraging prototyping and early deployment to validate requirements and expectations,
- Employing highly productive tools in areas related to information technology and performance metrics delivery,
- Reducing costs and the ensuring effective communications between the client and SDS teams.
In practice, TUD can deliver almost immediate returns by contributing to more effective decision making, analysis and implementation.
