The U.S. Navy must “elevate the management†of its digital strategy and prioritize information technology efforts within the department, Navy Undersecretary Thomas Modly wrote in an opinion piece published Monday on Defense One.
Modly noted that the Navy must develop a strategic plan to keep up with an “information-cognizant†culture by fostering the department’s IT talent and establishing relationships with industry. He added that the Navy must adopt an enterprise mindset for future investments; ensure the interoperability of systems and data; and fortify such systems against the exploitation of weak information security protocols and networks.
Modly also suggested the Navy lead artificial intelligence and machine learning efforts, especially amid predictions that U.S. adversaries will “exceed our ability to convert those private-sector capabilities to military applications.†Other recommendations that Modly posited include imposing costs on those who illegally obtain the government’s proprietary data and encouraging educational institutions to develop potential technical experts that can aid in military missions.