Strengthening Deterrence Through Enhanced Visibility and Strategic Tech Partnerships

Original Broadcast December 3, 2024

Presented by Atlassian & Carahsoft

Maria Banks, Director of Federal Sales at Atlassian, highlights the critical role of operational confidence and strategic tech partnerships in strengthening U.S. defense capabilities. She argues that true deterrence requires not only having the power to respond but also deep knowledge of those capabilities through consolidated visibility across technology platforms. Banks emphasizes that while the Department of Defense (DoD) has made extensive technology investments, its leaders often miss opportunities to engage vendors like Atlassian and its partners in unified data-sharing initiatives. By directly engaging with tech CEOs to discuss data integration across software environments, the DoD could gain real-time, actionable insights, fostering greater resilience and readiness. Banks also stresses the need for a cultural shift, where tech companies are valued as essential defense partners alongside traditional contractors. She points to initiatives such as Atlassian’s tech boot camp for Australia’s Congress as examples of how educating government leaders on tech can strengthen partnerships and improve decision-making.

Key Takeaways

1. Consolidating information across platforms would empower the DoD with real-time insights on its capabilities, strengthening deterrence and readiness.

2. Direct communication between DoD leaders and tech CEOs could foster collaboration, helping DoD tap into rich data and streamline operations across software environments.

3. Recognizing tech companies as strategic defense partners, similar to traditional defense contractors, would ensure alignment on shared goals and amplify the impact of digital transformation in defense.