Building an Open Data Culture for Defense Flexibility and Resilience

Original Broadcast December 3, 2024

Presented by Cloudera & Carahsoft

Jon Veal, GVP of Defense & Intel at Cloudera, discusses the growing commitment among defense agencies to create an open data culture that enhances mission readiness and supports the warfighter. This approach is focused on enabling internal data sharing within agencies to ensure that data is usable and accessible for various purposes while maintaining stringent security and governance. Veal emphasizes that over the past few years, agencies have increasingly prioritized making data open and reusable, allowing them to derive more value from existing information. At the same time, this open data culture must be carefully managed to ensure that sensitive information is protected. He highlights the importance of flexibility in modern data strategies, noting that agencies must be able to operate across a range of environments, from on-premises to edge computing and cloud platforms. This flexibility ensures that agencies are prepared to respond to dynamic, unforeseen operational needs, whether in traditional environments or in the field. Furthermore, Veal underscores the importance of data resilience and secure sharing with coalition partners, such as through efforts like CJADC2, to improve coordination and decision-making across multiple military and intelligence entities. By enhancing internal data access, securing data-sharing protocols, and maintaining operational flexibility, agencies are better equipped to navigate evolving challenges and maintain a technological edge in defense operations.

Key Takeaways

1. Agencies are developing an open data culture, making data accessible internally to meet mission needs, while ensuring robust security and governance.

2. The ability to deploy data resources anywhere—from on-premises to edge computing and across multiple cloud environments—gives agencies the flexibility to adapt to unexpected challenges.

3. Sharing resilient and secure data with coalition partners, such as through initiatives like CJADC2, strengthens collective capabilities and decision-making on the battlefield.