DISA’s new strategic plan sets agency’s course through 2022

by Noreen Costello
DISA Strategic Communication and Public Affairs

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) released a strategic plan for the years 2019 through 2022 via the agency’s website July 10.

The document is an overarching framework that informs planning priorities, resource allocation, and assessment criteria to ensure the highest levels of performance and productivity on an enduring basis.

“This four-year plan focuses on our future within the Department of Defense (DOD) and the ever-changing cyberspace environment. It focuses on developing and reinforcing trusted partnerships to connect and protect the warfighter in cyberspace while contributing to the lethality of our joint fighting force,” says Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Norton, director of DISA and commander of the co-located Joint Force Headquarters – DOD Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN), in the introductory message.

Three goals supporting the agency’s mission “to conduct DODIN operations for the joint warfighter to enable lethality across all warfighting domains in defense of our nation” are at the heart of the plan. They are:

• Operate and Defend.
• Adopt, Buy, and Create Solutions.
• Enable People and Reform the Agency.

“These are the same goals Admiral Norton set forth when she took command of the agency in 2018,” explained Army Maj. Lisa Kirby, who led the strategic planning effort. “The strategic plan codifies those goals and aligns them with defined objectives and capabilities that support those objectives, reinforcing the agency’s execution.”

The seven strategic objectives are:

• Modernize the infrastructure.
• Enhance operations.
• Optimize for the enterprise.
• Strengthen cybersecurity.
• Drive innovation.
• Enable people.
• Reform the agency.

The plan also includes guiding principles, “a broad philosophy to guide the accomplishment of all strategic goals and objectives.” They are: improve customer service, collaborate to innovate, measure what matters, and take prudent risks.

Finally, a technology roadmap describes the path DISA will use to achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the strategic plan. It provides a framework to explore technologies that will contribute to a more secure, coordinated, seamless, transparent, and cost-effective architecture for the DOD that transforms data into actionable information and ensures dependable mission execution in the face of a persistent cyber threat.

“Our strategic plan aligns with national and DOD strategies aimed at improving the national defense posture,” said Kirby. To ensure it remains current, the agency will review and update the document at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Posted July 10, 2019