DIA CIO Doug Cossa discusses cybersecurity, network automation, and AI at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Topics: JWIX modernization project, zero trust and automated network paths, supporting employees with disabilities, AI program partnerships, and the Mars AI system for media analysis.
DIA is modernizing its IT network by upgrading hardware and implementing network automation, while also focusing on cybersecurity to defend against threats from both outsiders and insiders.
DIA has developed a comprehensive AI strategy that includes building infrastructure and tools, experimenting with AI technologies, and recognizing the importance of human analysts in interpreting data.
Deep dives
JWIX Modernization
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is in its second year of modernizing the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWIX). They have made significant progress in phase one, which involves a technology refresh, replacing aged network hardware such as routers and switches. Redundancy in network lines and equipment is also a focus, ensuring failover capabilities and full redundancy across critical network components. This has been a major success for DIA over the past year.
Cybersecurity Inspection Program
DIA has implemented a Cyber Inspection Program for agencies and locations that connect to JWIX. The program has transitioned from initial assessments to continuous assessments, monitoring factors such as user account and hardware management, technical guidelines implementation, patching, and insider threat monitoring. The program also incorporates zero trust requirements and will assess agencies' progress in complying with the seven pillars of zero trust. The inspections include virtual inspections, red team assessments, and an evaluation of response capabilities.
Improving IT Workforce
DIA is focused on enhancing its IT workforce by providing career advancement opportunities and better integration of military personnel within the CIO organization. They offer a program called Education with Industry, allowing employees to rotate within IT companies in the industry, learning best practices and bringing them back to improve operations. DIA also emphasizes internal rotations within the organization to gain diverse experiences. Additionally, DIA has prioritized supporting employees with disabilities by establishing a 508 program to provide reasonable accommodations and enable access to video interpretation services within secure facilities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation
DIA has developed a comprehensive AI strategy in partnership with various directorates and organizations. The strategy focuses on multiple pillars, including career development, standards and governance, infrastructure and tools, experimentation, mission support, and partnerships. They are building the necessary infrastructure and tools to enable AI capabilities, experimenting with technologies to integrate various intelligence functions, such as tasking, collection, and analysis. DIA's AI efforts encompass areas like military intelligence, media exploitation, and leveraging large language models. They recognize that while AI can help narrow focus and provide efficiencies, human analysts are crucial in interpreting intent and identifying anomalies.
The Defense Intelligence Agency runs the federal government's top-secret IT network. DIA is in the middle of a major modernization of that network. And in addition to running new routers and switches, DIA also wants to upgrade to more network automation and help lay the groundwork for the intelligence community to leverage AI. Cybersecurity is also essential, both to defend against outside hackers and prevent insider threats. For the latest, I spoke with DIA Chief Information Officer Doug Cossa.