DOD deputy CIO outlines challenges: Handling threats, new tech with shrinking budgets

 

Connecting state and local government leaders

Defense Department Deputy CIO Robert Carey discussed the steps the department is taking to protect its networks, add new tech and manage operations in a shrinking budget environment.

This story has been updated to correct Robert Carey's title within DOD.

The Defense Department has a difficult path to follow over the next several years when it comes to managing and defending its computer networks. Shrinking budgets, cyber threats, the introduction of new technologies and management of ongoing military operations are just a few of the tasks that are keeping the department on its toes, said Robert Carey, the Defense Department's deputy CIO.

Speaking at the 2011 Executive Leadership Conference in Williamsburg, Va., Carey said one of his job’s main challenges is providing secure service and access to warfighters. Military personnel expect to be able to connect into the network wherever they are, and he added that implied in this connectivity is trust that the data is secure and accurate.

Among the issues facing DOD’s ability to provide secure data to its forces are:

  • Exploding technological frontiers.
  • Demanding operational scope.
  • Increasing cyber threats.
  • Shrinking budgets.
  • Demanding efficiencies.

Carey reached out to the government IT audience for assistance in achieving the DOD’s network security goals. “This is like a team sport,” he said.

DOD is also trying to eliminate the stovepipes in its cybersecurity operations. But it is difficult to move from unique, proprietary systems to universally accessed capabilities that are useful across service boundaries, he said.

Despite its necessity, cybersecurity must not stifle innovation, Carey said. Instead, security measures must be “baked in” from a program or technology’s beginning, rather than bolted on as an afterthought, he added.

But DOD still has some security hurdles to clear. These include digital persona protection and mobility. Although the military has a very clear idea of personal security and how to provide it, protecting an individual’s online persona from hackers is an issue that it is still working out.

The other major effort facing DOD is embracing commercial wireless technology in a manner that is both economical and secure. With some 1.4 million active-duty personnel and several large wireless projects under way, DOD is trying to meet its goal of providing secure wireless access while its budgets are under pressure. “This is a very different focus on the problem than it was before,” he said

Some of the mobile issues that the DOD is currently wrestling with include:

  • Enterprise management.
  • Data protection.
  • Access control.
  • Public-key Infrastructure.
  • Software/applications.
  • Training.

However, Carey said that mobile devices require an overview that focuses on their security capabilities. This is important because military handheld devices must be able to access classified data, he said.

The department is also examining cloud computing options, which it has laid out in its DOD IT Enterprise Strategy and Roadmap, Carey said. One of the department’s ongoing efforts is consolidating its numerous data centers to make the system more efficient. But the ultimate shape of the network will be driven by the budget profile. “There’s just no two ways about it,” he said.



X
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Learn More / Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Accept Cookies
X
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.

Allow All Cookies

Manage Consent Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies - Always Active

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data, Targeting & Social Media Cookies

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. These cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using this toggle switch. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. Additionally, you may contact our legal department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My Rights link

If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (such as a plugin), we have to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the web. This may affect our ability to personalize ads according to your preferences.

Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.

If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a privacy request at our Do Not Sell page.

Save Settings
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Cookie List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Functional Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Performance Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Social Media Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Targeting Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.