Top Takeaways from the Defense IT Summit
National security leaders broke down some of the key developments happening in the national security landscape and what they mean for defense operations. Officials discussed progress around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data centricity, cloud and more at the Feb. 9 Defense IT Summit in Arlington, Virginia.
AI is entering its next wave.
The Defense Department is prioritizing responsible AI development through problem-driven data management, talent management and product management, said Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office CTO William Streilein.
Army Software Factory CISO Angel Phaneuf noted data is a strategic asset. AI and machine learning technologies can give the ability to forecast the enemy’s movements and potential threats in the DevSecOps framework. These technologies can identify patterns, threats, and enable commanders to anticipate and prepare for various scenarios.
“We’re in a new version of ‘Oppenheimer,’ we are at a race to get to AI faster, but not just get to it, get to it where we can actually ingest it,” said Defense Innovation Unit AI/ML Program Manager Jaime Fitzgibbon.
DOD is honing in on culture.
DOD is prioritizing a culture of innovation through efforts like its software factories and new leadership visions.
Lt. Col. Charlie Bahk, director of the Marine Corps Software Factory launched last year, said the service utilizes assets from the Army’s software factory to utilize the inherent tech talent within the Marines’ own workforce.
“Innovative ideas — I see them come in from our allies and partners. … I see them come in from our warfighters,” said Principal Deputy CIO Leslie Beavers. “I need to institutionalize innovation.”
Cybersecurity is everyone’s issue.
DOD is reviewing implementation plans for zero trust submitted from across the services. Next steps on the plan hinge on Congress’ continuing resolution.
Especially amid government-wide cloud development and shifts in AI priorities, moving data securely is top of mind for officials like Department of Homeland Security’s Don Yeske who is opening up more jobs for cybersecurity professionals amid these new demands.
Beavers noted that cybersecurity isn’t just a national security or department issue, it’s everyone’s issue.
Cloud services for defense are evolving.
As the Defense Department gets ready for future iterations of its Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract, officials see a need to create standards for cloud and cloud security.
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) J-9 Hosting and Compute (HaC) Deputy CTO Korie Seville said he wants his office to be the “warfighter’s cloud provider of choice.”
This evolution in cloud will be critical to accomplishing data–centricity efforts amid the shift from network-centric environments where standards will also play a key role toward CJADC2 realization.