WASHINGTON — Dana Deasy, the Defense Department’s chief information officer, and Air Force Lt. Gen. John N.T. “Jack” Shanahan, director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, host a roundtable discussion on the enterprise cloud initiative with reporters at the Pentagon Aug. 9, 2019. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Carroll)
By Jim Garamone, Defense.gov
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department’s chief information officer says technology underlies the department’s National Defense Strategy, and he has put together a high-speed team that can capitalize on breakthroughs.
Dana Deasy testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee Tuesday. Although he has been the chief information officer since May 2018, the most recent National Defense Authorization Act called for persons in his position to be confirmed by the Senate.
Deasy came to the job after a career in the private sector. He’s worked in manufacturing, oil, financial services and more. He noted that in every one of those jobs, technology enabled progress, and he has carried that knowledge with him to his government job.
Deasy is responsible for the department’s Digital Modernization Strategy. This advances the National Defense Strategy’s vision of leveraging technologies. He and his team concentrate on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and command, and control and communications.
‘‘We developed the first cloud strategy to move the department toward enterprise warfighting cloud,’’ he said. ‘‘We wrote an artificial intelligence strategy that outlines five pillars critical to accelerating DOD’s adoption and integration of AI (artificial intelligence).’’
On his watch, the department began the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center as the focal point to accelerate and scale the Defense Department’s fielding of AI capabilities. ‘‘We have developed a comprehensive cybersecurity program that addresses our greatest cyber risks and creates accountability to ensure “improvements are made,’’ he said.
‘‘Since the day I arrived, my goal has been to ensure our warfighters have the tools they need to fight and win in the great power competition. This drives everything I do,’’ Deasy said. ‘‘Technology is foundational to how our warfighters will fight now and in the future.’’