DISA at the Center of Pentagon’s IT Modernization Plans

by Lloyd McCoy Jr., Consultant

Despite its relatively small size within DOD, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has an outsize role in the Pentagon’s IT initiatives. When it comes to technology, DISA’s efforts are structured around four strategic goals:

• Evolve the Joint Information Environment
• Provide Joint Command and Control
• Operate and Assure the Enterprise
• Optimize Department Investments

These goals are in keeping with DISA’s role as the purveyor of command and control systems, enterprise infrastructure, and storage for the Department. DISA’s mission also places it in the unique position of be in the center of every facet of the Pentagon’s overall IT modernization goals and thus a key insertion point for the product community. DOD CIO Teri Takai’s “10-Point Plan for IT Modernization” is aimed at meeting the Department’s IT challenges and is a key facet of its overall goals of cutting waste and saving money. Several of those modernization goals with DISA’s role in them are as follows:

• Standardize IT Platforms
  • DISA is establishing software standards for DOD’s mobility program
  • DISA’s data centers are establishing the standard
• Consolidating Enterprise Networks
  • DOD to move most services and applications to DISA’s core data centers by the end of FY18
  • DISA plans to modernize voice, video, email, and other collaboration services and offer them over the internet
• Delivering Enterprise Cloud
  • DISA designated the DOD cloud broker
  • DISA’s Defense Enterprise Email, a cloud service, hosts over 1.5 million email accounts
• Strategic Sourcing for IT Commodities
  • DISA actively involved in Joint Enterprise Licensing Agreements
• Strengthen Cybersecurity
  • DISA’s Security Requirement Guides provide implementation guidelines for hardware and software
  • DISA chairs voluntary information sharing program with defense industry

Learn more as we take an in-depth look at the central role DISA plays in Defense-wide requirements and acquisition on March 20 at 11 a.m. to gain insight into:

• What DISA’s unique responsibilities are in the areas of, Mobility, Storage and Cloud, Cybersecurity, and more
• How to craft effective messaging to address DISA’s technology challenges
• Which programs and initiatives represent actionable opportunities for the IT product community