08/13/08 04:20 pm ET
Will support for current information technology efforts continue with the next administration? The Army IT chief isn’t so sure.
Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Sorenson, during a morning keynote on Wednesday, predicted 18 months to two years of uncertainty in program funding, leaving all departments in a state of flux. That will be followed by an inevitable change in priorities, which could threaten initiatives that are already under way.
So what happens in the meantime? Sorenson said he will focus on getting current initiatives done, and new initiatives started so the next administration -- if willing -- can pick up where this one leaves off.
Specifically, he emphasized the need for continued centralization of network services to simplify processes for the military. “We want to get to an ideal ‘end state,’” Sorenson said, where enterprise network capabilities provide universal processes across the military.
He used the experience of the warfighter as an example of the challenge. Traditionally, multiple deployments in one military career could involve a slew of different e-mail addresses and communication devices, as well as training in a variety of data storage and collaboration procedures -- all of which meet a specific Army organization’s standard. The Army has been focusing on changing that -- centralizing network services to create a universal system across the department, combined with consistent communication capabilities.
A number of initiatives reflect that effort. Fixed regional hub nodes (FRHNs) are being deployed in five locations -- Europe, Southwest Asia, the Western Pacific, and the East and West coasts of the United States -- to provide constant, overlapping satellite, voice and data communication capabilities around the globe. And the CONUS Theater Signal Command was approved in July 2007 to act as the center of operation in the continental United States for LandWarNet, which is the network portal of information that supports warfighters, policymakers and support personnel. Also, Theater Network Operations and Security Centers offer cyber protection for LandWarNet, combined with improved information-sharing capabilities.
Those examples, of course, don't begin to cover all of the Army’s IT initiatives. So with the next administration, what will stay and what will go? No one knows for sure, Sorenson said.
“It’s going to be unsettling,” he said.
COMMENTS
Another "not invented here" illustration - DISA already provides these same services to all DoD and has plans for expansion. The Army just needs to get connected to an already existing service provider rather than inventing their own.
Dave 08/20/08 08:34 am ET
In order to fund Information Technology, one must first identify all necessary funding requirements. This process does not exist in the Army due to the lack of understanding in regards to their C&A efforts.
Mr. Sorenson stated: getting current initiatives done, and new initiatives started so the next administration -- if willing -- can pick up where this one leaves off. He is current in saying leaves off, but should have said dropped off as these initiatives are not on any itinerary from previous years, but are the whimsical fantasies of the brass that the CIO is supposed to fund with existing funds that were acquired to fix previous initiatives.
It is said that the Truth will come out, the Army does not look at truth, but looks to falsehood for their own truth.
Robert Edwards 08/14/08 06:43 am ET