Traditionally, defence has been synonymous with innovation, driven by the need to be ready to respond to conflicts and push technology to the limits. However, in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, a shift is happening. New technologies such as cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and data collation/exploitation have emerged; however, the defence industry still lags behind the private sector in adopting and leveraging these advancements.
As technology plays an increasingly pivotal role in modern day conflicts, ensuring effective digital transformation has become one of the defence sector’s most critical tasks. While a resistance to change and a lack of strategic focus has made this a struggle to date, there is now a gradual shift in mindset coupled with lessons learned from the private sector, which is beginning to have a positive impact.
With this new mentality, there are several benefits that digital transformation can achieve:
- Automation: harnessing digital technologies like automation can not only save resources but also boost efficiency. For example, automated drones can enhance situational awareness without endangering soldiers’ lives. Drones can also speed up maintenance tasks on buildings and vehicles by conducting faster visual inspections and securely logging reports in the cloud.
- Mobile communications: effective communication is a critical asset for soldiers in the field, making command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) a central aspect of digital transformation. The increasing rise of asymmetric warfare, and the need for seamless interoperability among systems and networks to support operations, has further highlighted the importance of these capabilities.
- Cybersecurity: the escalating risks of cyber warfare, system hacking, and infiltration have increased the importance of data security in any digital transformation agenda. Meeting rigorous military standards requires safeguarding data against attacks whether it is at rest, in use, or in transit. This means hardware and software must be encrypted, along with system hardening, peripheral control, and centralised management.
As modern defence strategies undergo digital transformation, the concept of 360-degree defence is gaining momentum. This means creating a purpose-built, interconnected defence network that enhances operations by prioritising safety, reliability, and efficiency. From a soldier's perspective, the end user device (EUD) stands out as the most crucial technology, providing rapid access to real-time data, intelligence, and communication during operations. However, in recent years, inadequate strategic investments have resulted in many outdated devices that are bulky, cumbersome, and power-hungry.
Fortunately, there is a growing range of specialised communication devices available that combine the best of both worlds. These devices offer the user-friendly functionality and familiarity of consumer devices while ensuring rugged reliability and security required for effective field communications. Many of these devices are compact and lightweight, providing enhanced mobility and rapid access to intelligence on the go. Plus, they are designed with exceptional power efficiency, reducing reliance on external power supplies.
Despite the benefits of digital transformation, it’s not a quick fix and requires time and ongoing effort to achieve. As such, it’s critical for defence organisations to choose the right strategic partners who can play a pivotal role in their effective digital transformation plans.
Specialist vendors and manufacturers now offer proven, innovative solutions that address the digital challenges faced by the defence sector. Rather than developing customised solutions from scratch, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions tailored to industry requirements can be obtained at a fraction of the cost. However, it’s crucial these devices are robust enough to withstand the rugged demands of frontline service.
To learn more about the importance of strategic partners in effective digital transformation in the defence sector, download Getac’s latest eBook.
The eBook is available here.