Katherine Ziesing | Canberra
“The pressure for ICT interoperability, simplicity and flexibility is only increasing,” CIOG Chief Peter Lawrence told the MilCIS audience this week.
“This is forcing us to think about the most effective and efficient way to operate.”
Lawrence was one of many speakers who said that there is more recognition that ICT is important to achieving the defence mission.
“We know we're not quite where we want to be but we are going in the right direction, particularly for operational support.” Lawrence said.
Looking ahead, Lawrence said that 2016 would see a shifting in focus from infrastructure to data and information, driving for greater levels of integration and role of industry to change and evolve to meet this challenge.
In response to a tongue in cheek question from the floor, he confirmed that Defence would continue to run XP until at least 2017-2018 until Windows 7 is rolled out at all network levels. But they are looking at ways to speed that up.
ADM note: ADM understands that there are some systems, such as MILIS, that will not operate on Windows 7 without a significant upgrade. Given there is no program (or funding) for an upgrade, this will prove an interesting challenge for the organisation.
“Keeping the lights on with a 'fix, break' mentality is not good enough,” AVM Andrew Dowse Head of ICT operations division, CIOG said.
As a key enabler, ICT should have the same availability and reliability of any weapons system that defence operates.
Christine Zeitz head of Lockheed Martin Australia’s IS&GS business was eloquent in explaining how the acquisition process sets the scene for partnership or a strict contract driven framework between defence and industry for the life of a program.
She also asked about the accountability of independent consultants given the large amount of work they perform for Defence. How is their performance measured as they don't fit into the company scorecard framework in the main.
“I have a dream,” she said. “That agility, simplicity and delivery will be keystones of defence ICT programs.”