The Army’s chief information officer, Jeffrey Sorenson, is spearheading an effort to consolidate the Army’s email system. They also plan to outsource its operation to make it more efficient, cost-effective and secure.The Army has invited companies who are bidding on the email contract to partner up with the Defense Information Systems Agency. DISA operates 13 computer centers worldwide and would be able to house the email system.
Using numerous systems creates a more vulnerable environment for potential cyberattacks. Multiple systems can also lead to large administrative costs, so the consolidation would be a large cost-cutter. Sorenson hopes to have the entire Defense Department using it in the future.
The department hopes to have the service completely consolidated by fall of 2011. Due to the fact that it is going to be built on Microsoft Exchange 2010, Warren Suss, president of Suss Consulting, remarked, “No matter who bids, Microsoft is the winner.â€
