Protecting US interests in the Indo-Pacific: DISA's expertise on full display at AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific


By Lia Carvalho, DISA Office of Strategic Communication and Public Affairs

October 28, 2024
 
Photo of the Hawaii Convention Center. A building with triangular shapes and lots of glass with palm trees on the sidewalk.
The Hawaii Convention Center, the venue for the 2024 AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific conference.
 
As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, the stakes are higher than ever for the U.S. military to stay ahead of emerging threats. China’s growing military power and territorial ambitions pose significant challenges to U.S. national security interests, and the region has become a focal point for global competition.

To address these challenges, the Defense Information Systems Agency is leveraging its expertise in IT and cybersecurity to support U.S. military operations in the region. At the 2024 AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific conference, held Oct. 22-24, DISA experts took center stage, sharing their insights and expertise with industry leaders, government officials and military personnel.

DISA experts led discussions on key focus areas, including:

  • Hybrid cloud solutions: DISA is driving innovation in hybrid cloud solutions, including OCONUS Cloud, enabling the agency to provide more agile and efficient cloud services to the Indo-Pacific.

  • Emerging technologies: The integration of emerging technologies such as Zero Trust, ICAM and data management is transforming modern warfare, and DISA is developing innovative solutions to stay ahead of the threat.

  • JITC agile testing: DISA's Joint Interoperability Test Command is leading the way in agile testing methodologies, ensuring that new technologies and systems are seamlessly integrated into the DOD’s global IT environment.

    • DISA demonstrated a strong leadership presence at the conference, with the DISA Pacific commander and his field office chiefs from DISA Japan, Okinawa, Guam, Alaska and Korea all participating and exhibiting. Additionally, DISA’s Procurement Services Directorate, Office of Small Business Programs, Strategic Partner Integration Office, and Joint Interoperability Test Command exhibited at the event, showcasing the agency's capabilities and solutions.

    Photo of (from left) Brad Wright, Steve Mathews, Brandon Glover and Air Force Capt. Timothy Kokotajlo posing for the picture while standing behind a table at their theater session, "DISA Hybrid Cloud Broker: Recognizing Mission Requirements to Deliver Solutions."

    DISA cloud experts discuss their theater session, "DISA Hybrid Cloud Broker: Recognizing Mission Requirements to Deliver Solutions," at the AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific conference in Honolulu Oct. 23, 2024. From left, Brad Wright, chief of the Hybrid Cloud Broker Office; Steve Mathews, cybersecurity technical advisor; Brandon Glover, deputy chief of the Hybrid Cloud Broker Office; and U.S. Air Force Capt. Timothy Kokotajlo, cloud program manager, all with DISA J9 Hosting and Compute.

    “We recognize the importance of this conference in bringing together the best minds to address the complex challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region,” said Marine Corps Col. Jared C. Voneida, DISA Pacific commander.

    “As the U.S. military faces an increasingly complex and dynamic threat landscape, DISA's commitment to providing cutting-edge IT infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities will be essential to maintaining a strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific region.”