The Defense Department mandated that all DOD organizations procure their cloud capabilities using the recent Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract vehicle managed by DISA’s J9 Hosting and Compute. As DISA undergoes its own cloud and data-center modernization journey, its Deputy CTO for Compute and J9 HaC Senior Technical Advisor discusses the department’s challenges and priorities ahead of this quickly changing landscape to support warfighter readiness and connectivity globally.

Guest Speaker

• Korie Seville, Deputy CTO for Compute and J9 HaC Senior Technical Advisor, DISA

With more attention and resources put into software factories, the Defense Department is prioritizing keeping up with the fast pace of technology development in new ways. Hear how federal leaders are using DevSecOps and Agile development processes to modernize IT systems and infrastructure that are supporting new defense weapons systems and programs.

Panel Speakers

• Lt. Col. Charlie Bahk, Software Factory Director, Marine Corps
• Rob Vietmeyer, Chief Software Officer, DOD
• Dave Lago, Product Manager, Vulcan, DISA Hosting and Compute Center

The Defense Department’s major cloud contract vehicle, JWCC, is ushering in a new age of cloud modernization. Cloud leaders are touting its benefits in the partnerships it is creating in the intelligence community to bring cloud in at all levels — leading also to more efficient approaches in cybersecurity. This panel will discuss how the services are strategizing this new opportunity to bring security at the forefront of cloud migration.

Panel Speakers

• Don Yeske, Director, National Security Cyber Division, DHS
• Jay Bonci, CTO, Department of the Air Force
• Edmond Kuqo, DevSecOps Lead Engineer, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic
• Frank Reyes, TCS Cloud Solutions Leader, Maximus

As the military services work more toward multi-domain operations, DOD is seeking to connect its multitude of networks and data points to ensure seamless command and control on the battlefield. Hear about the tech developments the services are working on toward these concepts and what they mean for the ongoing pursuit to connect all domains across air, land, sea, cyber and space.

Panel Speakers

• Keegan Mills, Engineering and Cyber Technology Lead, Marine Corps Systems Command
• Randy Young, Technical Management Department Director, PEO C3T, Army

Language models and artificial intelligence tools have potential to transform how technology teams work. Learn about how these leaders view new technologies that will transform defense operations and how they see these breakthroughs impacting the future of national security.

Panel Speakers

• Amanda Bullock, AI Lead, Air Force Research Laboratory
• Jaime Fitzgibbon, AI/ML Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit
• Bharath Nagaraj, Field Technical Director, AI, Cohesity
• Angel Phaneuf, CISO, Army Software Factory
• William Streilein, CTO, CDAO, DOD

A candid discussion around the state of national security, threats to critical infrastructure and the modernization and cybersecurity initiatives underway from DOD; all of which [advanced strategies and capabilities] demand additional skillsets and expert personnel to support such efforts. Gain insight into the defense department’s recently released cyber Workforce strategy—from up-skilling and incentives to new qualification and certification programs—to drive recruitment opportunities across the cyber community.

Guest Speaker

• Leslie Beavers, Principal Deputy CIO, Department of Defense

Award Winners

Cyber Defender: Anthony Giljum, Director, Engineering and Technology Transformation, DHA

Emerging Tech Innovator: Jennifer Hay, Director, Defense Digital Service

Cloud Innovator: Ryan McArthur, JWCC Program Manager, DISA

Digital Transformer: Venice Goodwine, CIO, Air Force

Data Advocate: Eileen Vidrine, Chief Data & AI Officer, Air Force

Rising Star: Nicole Thompson, Digital Services Expert, Defense Digital Service

NextGen Champion: Sharothi Pikar, Deputy CDAO for Acquisitions, DOD