2025 Defense IT Summit Recap
The Defense IT Summit united federal and industry leaders to explore how IT modernization is reshaping the defense landscape.
Leadership outlined priorities and agency initiatives focused on critical areas such as AI in defense operations, CJADC2 and multi and hybrid cloud security. Attendees also gained insight into the evolving national security strategy, including advancements in zero-trust architecture, to learn the latest updates in national security.
2025 Priorities for Defense IT
Opening Fireside Chat
Defense Department Acting CIO Leslie Beavers will discuss key insights and challenges ahead for the agency and what this transition means for the future of defense technology strategy and leadership priorities.
Featured Speaker:
- Leslie Beavers, Acting CIO, DOD
Industry Perspective
The Defense Department’s communications technology is a conglomeration of different systems, vendors and structures. Senior directors from Verizon discuss the need for overall IT modernization, enhanced security, centralization of VoIP communications as well as emerging technologies like AI and benefits of managed services.
Featured Speakers:
- Lamont Copeland, Senior Director of Federal Solutions Architecture, Verizon
- David Rouse, Senior Director of Defense and National Security, Verizon
Zero Trust and Identity Management
Federal leaders are looking toward zero-trust infrastructures and security solutions to better defend networks across the national security landscape. Defense officials provide methods and processes to create a zero-trust environment for better security. IT leaders will discuss how zero-trust architectures enforce access controls and continuous monitoring safeguards sensitive defense data.
Featured Speakers:
- Gurpreet Bhatia, Principal Director for Cybersecurity and Acting CISO, DOD
- Kynan Carver, Cybersecurity Lead, Defense Market, Maximus
- Louis Koplin, PEO Digital, Department of the Navy
- Monica Montgomery, Deputy CISO for Management and Strategy and Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Office, NGA
CJADC2: Enabling Decision Advantage
CJADC2 is the north star for the DOD’s digital modernization efforts, uniting all the service branches in air, land, sea, cyber and space toward a common goal of connected, multi-domain operations. Join us as federal leaders discuss the progress they’ve made in pursuit of the strategy and what comes next.
Featured Speakers:
- Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO and PEO Digital Technical Director, Department of the Navy
- Tommy Gardner, CTO, HP Federal
- Christopher Redding, Technical Director, PEO Services, DISA
- Shery Thomas, Enterprise Innovation Officer, Navy Installations Command
Fostering Innovation in the Defense Department
The Department of Defense faces a constant need to innovate and maintain technological superiority. However, many promising research projects languish in the “valley of death,” failing to secure the necessary funding and support to move beyond initial prototypes. Join our panel as it explores the critical challenges of transitioning promising research from the lab to practical military applications.
Featured Speakers:
- Joey Mathews, Superintendent, IT Division, Naval Research Laboratory
- Kedar Pavgi, Director, Commercial Strategy and Operations, DIU
- Kaitie Penry, Director, Emerging Technology & Innovation, Naval Postgraduate School
AI and the Defense Mission
Fueled by advancements in technology like artificial intelligence and large language models, the rapidly evolving threat landscape demands a proactive approach from federal agencies. This panel will delve into how AI is reshaping strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure, warfighters and sensitive data.
Featured Speakers:
- Raj Dasgupta, Research Scientist, Naval Research Laboratory
- Joel Krooswyk, Federal CTO, GitLab
- Deepak Seth, Chief Engineer, Emerging Technologies Directorate, DISA
Lightning Rounds: Views from the Top
Defense leaders are managing, evaluating and assessing agencies’ IT resources to combat some of the most pressing national security challenges. Hear from experts on how they envision IT capabilities enabling missions while staying ahead of evolving threats.
Featured Speakers:
- Lam Nguyen, Chief Scientist, DOD Cyber Crime Center
- Louis Koplin, PEO Digital, Department of the Navy
- Collen Roller, Senior Data Scientist, Air Force Research Lab
Flywheel Awards Presentation
Award Winners
Rising Star: Glenn Parham, Digital Service Expert, Defense Digital Service
Emerging Tech Innovator: Brig. Gen. Michael McGinley, Director, GigEagle Agile Talent Ecosystem, Air Force
Cyber Defender: Charles Wille, Deputy Director, Readiness and Security Inspections, JFHQ-DODIN
Digital Transformer: Beth Caswell, Director, Digital Transformation & IT Portfolio Management, Department of the Navy
Data Advocate: Jesus Caban, Chief Data Scientist, PEO, DHMS
-
Defense Officials Talk Commercial-First Approach to CJADC2
Industry will play a large role in piloting and scaling solutions within the combined information and decision advantage approach in CJADC2.
4m read -
AI's Role in National Security Hinges on Data Quality
Defense IT officials warn of "hallucinations" and uncertainty in AI output, stressing need for rigorous validation.
3m read -
A Look at Efforts to Streamline Technology Innovation at DOD
Defense leaders are overcoming the "valley of death" by streamlining acquisitions and partnering with industry to accelerate tech adoption.
4m read -
Defense Leads Balance Legacy, Innovation in Move to Zero Trust
National security officials emphasize cultural change, collaboration and incremental progress in zero trust implementation.
3m read -
Defense Leaders Harness AI to Accelerate Innovation
Defense leaders are creating new pathways to scale emerging technologies like AI, enabling faster innovation and empowering end users.
2m read -
DOD Acting CIO: JWCC is First Step in Multi-Cloud Environment
Leslie Beavers discussed next steps with JWCC, zero trust, workforce and software development amid an evolving Mission Partner Environment.
3m read
