3 DoD Software Modernization Priorities You Need to Know About
"We are making progress. This really is not just about technology. This is about changing our processes changing our approach to delivering and operating technology to IT systems and our cyber mechanical warfare systems as we move forward," said Robert Vietmeyer, DoD Director for Cloud and Software Modernization.
There has been a lot of buzz around the need to modernize software in the federal space and the Department of Defense (DoD) is no exception. In February 2022, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks, signed off on a memorandum that highlighted the need for a software modernization strategy to advance the DoD’s software capability. In a recent forum held by Executive Mosaic Inc., the focus was on the DoD’s efforts to modernize its software capability.
The DoD’s software modernization strategy focuses on three areas: 1) accelerate the DoD Cloud environment, 2) establish a software factory ecosystem for the DoD and 3) enable resilience and speed in its software capabilities.
- Cloud Environment
During the forum, it was clear that the ability to deliver software updates quickly for the DoD is critical to military operations, so that updates such as threat detection can be sent to Soldiers in the field of operations in a timely manner. To modernize its software capabilities, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Director for Cloud and Modernization, Robert Vietmeyer, emphasized the need to improve the DoD’s cloud technology through its infrastructure, DevSecOps tooling and by implementing the proper design patterns for both. The advantage of commercial cloud infrastructure according to Vietmyer, would be to enable the DoD to deploy applications worldwide regardless of their location. The DoD is focusing on edge cloud computing environment and collaborating with the intelligence community and military departments to explore where existing technologies like Azure Stack and AWS Outpost could build seamless cloud environments to extend into foreign allies’ soil like Japan and Europe. This so-called multi-tenant environment would enable seamless integration of technologies like Snowballs and Azure Stack Edge or equivalent vendors to build out an operational edge. Once these platforms become the DoD operational environments, the DoD can build advanced, resilient system engineering into those environments where the DOD can apply the Zero Trust framework to its applications. Here, technology vendors and channel partners can leverage their capability solutions and explore strategies to support the expansion of the DoD cloud infrastructure into U.S. allies’ territories. Technology vendors and channel partners that have an established organizational presence in these countries with cultural and linguistic fluency would be a welcome bonus.
- Software Factory Ecosystem and Resilience in Software Capability
To develop resilience and speed in its software capability, the DoD is focusing on expanding system engineering approaches that are also bringing changes to technology partners. Beginning with DevSecOps, the DoD is implementing a seamless integration of development, security and operations supported by automated platforms to raise its cyber posture. Software factories are seen as an operational system that incorporates development and security processes seamlessly within the cybersecurity accreditation boundary. In practical terms, the software development and security teams, regardless of their physical location, would have a direct link to the operations team, where the software is deployed. The system would be supported by services and tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to provide continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) that would ensure cybersecurity, functionality and reliability are maintained. The clear advantage of this framework is that it allows the DoD to push for changes rapidly into the environment and apply the pervasive zero trust framework at all stages of DevSecOps. That said, technology vendors and channel partners should be keen to offer the following while engaging DoD on their software modernization efforts:
- Provide technical competencies that included seasoned process management, high-performing IT talents and strong collaborators across multifaceted environments
- Engineer seamless integration of legacy and multi-cloud solutions within the Zero Trust framework
- Leverage AI to increase speed and efficiency in processing data but focus on providing the best end-user experience
- Emphasize relevant risk management portfolio and ability to apply agile solutions so that risks and errors are rapidly mitigated
- Challenges and How Industry Can Help
Moving forward with its software modernization efforts, the DoD highlighted key challenges that it still needs to overcome. Cloud infrastructure building, for instance, experiences various levels of adoption among followers. Factors that could facilitate adoption need to be identified to support its infrastructure evolution. This is similar to DevSecOps where people still think of the software development, security vetting and application deployment as being separate and unrelated to one another. This traditional view presents roadblocks to the DoD’s mission of integrating the DevSecOps process seamlessly. Software acquisition has also been deemed a slow process and the DoD is looking for options that are more agile to meet its demands for rapid software delivery. So, what can industry partners do to help the DoD in its software modernization efforts? Specifically, the DoD could use assistance in examining the current model or designs of the software development process, its implementation, and the tooling; then figuring out ways to advance the new approach that could support a more agile process of software modernization. Additionally, having a sufficient workforce to address the software advancement remains an issue for DoD that vendors can assist with via popular DoD contracting vehicles.
"We cannot do this without our industry partners. And I think it's an exciting journey. It's one where the defense department needs to be and one that is going to be increasingly important across all of all industry in American society as we move forward…," said Robert Vietmeyer, DOD Director for Cloud and Software Modernization.
To get more TD SYNNEX Public Sector Market Insight content, please visit our Market Intelligence microsite.
About the Author: Toan Le is a senior analyst on the TD SYNNEX Public Sector Market Insights team covering the Department of Defense and intelligence community.
Related Blog Posts
Cybersecurity, Education, Market Intelligence
This year’s annual EDUCAUSE Conference took place in San Antonio, Texas, where higher education leaders shared key insights into top edtech trends, priorities and challenges shaping the higher education landscape. The 2025 Educause Top 10 priorities list addresses how higher education technology and data leaders can work together to restore trust within the education sector by building competent and caring institutions through collaboration, consistent results and shifting from monolithic systems and processes to more flexible and unified solutions.
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Education, Market Intelligence
This year’s annual EDUCAUSE Conference took place in San Antonio, Texas, where higher education leaders shared key insights into top edtech trends, priorities and challenges shaping the higher education landscape. The 2025 Educause Top 10 priorities list addresses how higher education technology and data leaders can work together to restore trust within the education sector by building competent and caring institutions through collaboration, consistent results and shifting from monolithic systems and processes to more flexible and unified solutions.
Yvonne Maffia
Big Data, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, Technology
Hello from DoDIIS in Omaha, Nebraska! TDSYNNEX Public Sector is once again attending, so if you didn’t make it out to the city that invented the Reuben sandwich, we’ve got you covered. The conference kicked off with a heavy focus on several prevailing themes, notably: cybersecurity, deterrence, interoperability, and data centricity. If you read that list and thought AI was missing – fear not – it was included in discussions, but primarily as a vehicle for aiding in the intelligence community’s (IC) top priorities.
Susanna Patten
Big Data, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, Technology
Hello from DoDIIS in Omaha, Nebraska! TDSYNNEX Public Sector is once again attending, so if you didn’t make it out to the city that invented the Reuben sandwich, we’ve got you covered. The conference kicked off with a heavy focus on several prevailing themes, notably: cybersecurity, deterrence, interoperability, and data centricity. If you read that list and thought AI was missing – fear not – it was included in discussions, but primarily as a vehicle for aiding in the intelligence community’s (IC) top priorities.
Susanna Patten
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The 2024 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference took place in New Orleans, Louisiana earlier this month, where state leaders shared key insights into FY25 top technology priorities, challenges and lessons learned. Some of the key focus areas included AI, with emphasis on generative AI (Gen AI) tech, data management, governance, privacy and accessibility, cybersecurity and risk management and digital services and modern government.
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The 2024 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference took place in New Orleans, Louisiana earlier this month, where state leaders shared key insights into FY25 top technology priorities, challenges and lessons learned. Some of the key focus areas included AI, with emphasis on generative AI (Gen AI) tech, data management, governance, privacy and accessibility, cybersecurity and risk management and digital services and modern government.
Yvonne Maffia
AI, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the declaration of “Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” originally created by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in 2004. Since then, we’ve seen vast amounts of change and innovation in the sector. We’ve also seen continually updated legislation, new technology and opportunities for IT companies to penetrate the market as federal agencies continue to watch threats evolve.
Susanna Patten
AI, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the declaration of “Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” originally created by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in 2004. Since then, we’ve seen vast amounts of change and innovation in the sector. We’ve also seen continually updated legislation, new technology and opportunities for IT companies to penetrate the market as federal agencies continue to watch threats evolve.
Susanna Patten
Federal Fiscal Year End, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
At this point, anyone keenly watching the budget process every year can tell you the likelihood of a continuing resolution (CR) being passed as opposed to a new budget by Oct 1st is all but guaranteed. CRs act as a temporary stopgap designed to avoid a government shutdown. However, it also locks funding to the previous fiscal year’s level and prevents new projects from getting started. Projects then remain under operations and maintenance until a new budget, with new requirements, is passed.
Susanna Patten
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
The US military information network comprises over 15,000 classified and unclassified networks facilitating information exchange for service members worldwide. Known as the Department of Defense Network (DoDIN), it includes devices such as computers, mobile phones, weapons, servers, and data systems consistently serving military personnel at all levels. Data sharing across these devices has been under frequent threats of cyberattacks by adversaries and necessitates keen vigilance by the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) to manage risks and vulnerabilities.
Toan Le
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
The US military information network comprises over 15,000 classified and unclassified networks facilitating information exchange for service members worldwide. Known as the Department of Defense Network (DoDIN), it includes devices such as computers, mobile phones, weapons, servers, and data systems consistently serving military personnel at all levels. Data sharing across these devices has been under frequent threats of cyberattacks by adversaries and necessitates keen vigilance by the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) to manage risks and vulnerabilities.
Toan Le
AI, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
With the increasing prominence of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), numerous state governments are creating taskforces on AI to help determine their state’s AI strategy.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence
Defending against cyberattacks is an ongoing battle for the Air Force, Army, and Navy, and requires strategic maneuvering and intelligent solutions. An integral part of these solutions has been the collaboration and technical support from the defense industrial base (DIB). Recently, the principal cyber advisors from each branch announced their challenges and priorities geared toward addressing cyber needs.
Toan Le
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence
Defending against cyberattacks is an ongoing battle for the Air Force, Army, and Navy, and requires strategic maneuvering and intelligent solutions. An integral part of these solutions has been the collaboration and technical support from the defense industrial base (DIB). Recently, the principal cyber advisors from each branch announced their challenges and priorities geared toward addressing cyber needs.
Toan Le
FAA, Federal Government, Market Intelligence
Given the numerous commercial airline safety incidents in the news within the past few months, it should be no surprise that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and government legislators have taken an interest in improving the safety of US airspace. The FAA is looking into and implementing new solutions to improve airspace safety, and government legislators are funding airspace safety initiatives.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Federal Fiscal Year End, Federal Government, Market Intelligence
You read that title correctly; here we are near the end of another federal fiscal year. If you’re thinking it feels like Congress just passed the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget, you’re correct. Half of FY24 was spent in a state of continuing resolutions, with the passage of a final budget a whopping six months into the year, in March 2024. Federal agencies have had effectively half the time they would be allotted in an ideal fiscal year timeframe to spend less, the same, or in some cases more money.
Susanna Patten
Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
In a contest this year of “Most Popular IT Market Trends” it’s highly likely artificial intelligence (AI) would win first place. Federal agencies have released troves of related guidance in the past year, including an executive order, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memos, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) protocols, and the Department of Defense’ (DoD) AI Strategy. So much of the discussion around AI up until very recently though has been just that: discussion.
Susanna Patten
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 fiscal year-end is coming to a close for 46 states, which means that it’s time to put on those running shoes and take advantage of any last minute, end-of-year opportunities. State, local and education (SLED) organizations are already game planning where to funnel resources and dollars in next year’s budget, highlighting the top priorities and challenges that will shape future downstream requirements.Key points to keep in mind:
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 fiscal year-end is coming to a close for 46 states, which means that it’s time to put on those running shoes and take advantage of any last minute, end-of-year opportunities. State, local and education (SLED) organizations are already game planning where to funnel resources and dollars in next year’s budget, highlighting the top priorities and challenges that will shape future downstream requirements.Key points to keep in mind:
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Market Intelligence
Recently the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a roadmap entitled Vision for the IC Information Environment to outline a vision to protect the nation from adversaries and maintain a “strategic advantage" over those intending to harm its information infrastructure. The roadmap contains recommendations from a collaboration of more than one hundred technical leaders from the intelligence community (IC).
Toan Le
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Market Intelligence
Recently the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a roadmap entitled Vision for the IC Information Environment to outline a vision to protect the nation from adversaries and maintain a “strategic advantage" over those intending to harm its information infrastructure. The roadmap contains recommendations from a collaboration of more than one hundred technical leaders from the intelligence community (IC).
Toan Le
Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently released its Final Rule on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In doing so, they created numerous new requirements state and local governments need to adhere to in designing their digital offerings including adding video narration options, making websites compatible with assistive technologies and making web page labels descriptive.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology, Transportation
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are all the rage as of late, and one sector where they can provide innumerable benefits deserves special attention – transportation.
Yvonne Maffia
Big Data & Analytics, Healthcare, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
Maternal and child health (MCH) has become a top concern nationwide, particularly in disadvantaged, underserved and rural communities. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States is experiencing a maternal health crisis nationwide, as it has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income nations; increasing rates of complications from pregnancy or childbirth; and persistent disparities in such outcomes.
Yvonne Maffia
Application Lifecycle, Market Intelligence, Technology
Federal officials have released a first of its kind Strategy focused on the security of the government’s space-based platforms and infrastructure, and the impact commercial solutions may have on supporting the continued need in this space; pun intended. According to the document, the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Commercial Space Integration Strategy is a first for the Department of Defense, and “provides a vision for prioritizing and aligning efforts to integrate commercial solutions into our national security space architecture.”What’s this for?
Susanna Patten
Application Lifecycle, Market Intelligence, Technology
Federal officials have released a first of its kind Strategy focused on the security of the government’s space-based platforms and infrastructure, and the impact commercial solutions may have on supporting the continued need in this space; pun intended. According to the document, the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Commercial Space Integration Strategy is a first for the Department of Defense, and “provides a vision for prioritizing and aligning efforts to integrate commercial solutions into our national security space architecture.”What’s this for?
Susanna Patten
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference took place in National Harbor, Maryland last week where state leaders shared insights into their top technology priorities, challenges, and lessons learned. Some of the key focus areas included artificial intelligence (AI) with emphasis on generative AI, data management, accessibility, and governance, cybersecurity and risk management, and modernization and the digital customer experience.Artificial Intelligence
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference took place in National Harbor, Maryland last week where state leaders shared insights into their top technology priorities, challenges, and lessons learned. Some of the key focus areas included artificial intelligence (AI) with emphasis on generative AI, data management, accessibility, and governance, cybersecurity and risk management, and modernization and the digital customer experience.Artificial Intelligence
Yvonne Maffia
Big Data, Market Intelligence
For the United States Navy, data has become a cornerstone of its operations, guiding the course of missions, and ensuring the safety of personnel. Every facet of maritime endeavors, from intelligence gathering, to navigation and logistics, relies on a steady stream of accurate and timely data. Harnessing and making the best use of that data, though, comes with its own challenges. These can include limited bandwidth, stringent security protocols, and the sheer volume of information generated across a host of platforms.
Toan Le
Application Lifecycle, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
According to data contained in a recent study from Pediatrics, the official scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the number of school shootings in the United States has increased dramatically every year since the 2017-2018 school year. At the same time, school mass shootings have become increasingly deadly. Given this trend and the risk posed by security threats to students and faculty, school districts are desperate to find solutions to improve school security.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Application Lifecycle, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
According to data contained in a recent study from Pediatrics, the official scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the number of school shootings in the United States has increased dramatically every year since the 2017-2018 school year. At the same time, school mass shootings have become increasingly deadly. Given this trend and the risk posed by security threats to students and faculty, school districts are desperate to find solutions to improve school security.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Big Data & Analytics, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
Since 2023, we have seen an explosion in the number of state data privacy laws, demonstrating a clear focus amongst state governments in data privacy. In fact, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “at least 40 states and Puerto Rico introduced or considered at least 350 consumer privacy bills in 2023.” These data privacy laws create protections for a range of several types of data, from general consumer data protections to specific protections for health data and minor data.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Federal Fiscal Year End, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
If you have been confused lately seeing multiple March dates with some mention of the federal budget tied to them, you are not crazy. There are in fact multiple budgets floating out there in the ether: some finalized versions for certain agencies, others still awaiting that vote and presidential approval for fiscal year 2024 (FY24), as well as a wholly new request for funding from the President for FY25 priorities. We will catch you up as succinctly as possible, and if FY24 sounds too confusing, read on to hear what’s catching attention across IT for FY25.
Susanna Patten
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 United States presidential election is rapidly approaching, and state and local governments are focusing their efforts on bolstering election security and ensuring the proper safeguards are in place.
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The 2024 United States presidential election is rapidly approaching, and state and local governments are focusing their efforts on bolstering election security and ensuring the proper safeguards are in place.
Yvonne Maffia
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence
Originally passed in 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was designed to improve the management of all-things-IT across federal agencies. It essentially realigned how the government purchases and updates its technology, with an aim at grading agencies based on their ability to adhere to and improve on the following categories:
Susanna Patten
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence
Originally passed in 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was designed to improve the management of all-things-IT across federal agencies. It essentially realigned how the government purchases and updates its technology, with an aim at grading agencies based on their ability to adhere to and improve on the following categories:
Susanna Patten
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Market Intelligence
Originally passed in 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was designed to improve the management of all-things-IT across federal agencies. It essentially realigned how the government purchases and updates its technology, with an aim at grading agencies based on their ability to adhere to and improve on the following categories:
Susanna Patten
Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The start of a new year often brings uncertainties; but in 2024 one thing is for certain—artificial intelligence (AI) is top of mind nationwide and is expected to have a transformational impact on our society both now and in the future.
Yvonne Maffia
Big Data & Analytics, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government
The year 2024 is just around the corner, and with a new year typically comes new priorities. However, some things, like digital government, are here to stay. Improving the Citizen Experience will continue to be a top priority both now and, in the future, as the modern world emphasizes the importance of personalized services that provide agility, accountability, transparency, equity, efficiency, adaptability.
Prioritizing Citizen Experience
Yvonne Maffia
Federal Government, Market Intelligence, News, Technology
We’re still in the first quarter of the fiscal year and headed toward the holiday season. Historically, that predicates a slower pace across the federal sector, but not this year. This year, artificial intelligence (AI) is having a moment, and nearly everyone across the public sector, including the White House and The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has something to say about it.
Susanna Patten
Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
The era of heightened environmental awareness calls for decisive action, and the federal government has stepped up to lead this transformative journey. Three federal agencies have carved out significant roles in funding and facilitating environmental remediation technologies: the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Dawit Blackwell
Federal Government, Healthcare, Market Intelligence, Technology
Modernizing the defense healthcare system has never been more front and center for Defense Health Agency (DHA), the Department of Defense's (DOD) primary arm that manages all things healthcare for military service members and their beneficiaries. With acts of war and terrorism arising from overseas and the possibility of having our troops involved in future conflicts, patient healthcare and service preparedness are top priorities for the agency. So, the DHA is looking to work across federal agencies and industry to strengthen its healthcare systems.
Toan Le
Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
Numerous reports by various organizations, including the Government Accountability Office, have consistently found insufficiencies in state unemployment insurance programs. These insufficiencies were laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic when increased need for such services, combined with an increase in fraudulent activity targeting unemployment insurance programs, overtaxed states’ unemployment insurance systems.
Gabriel Zighelboim
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The annual EDUCAUSE conference highlighted higher education technology trends, goals, challenges, and how to identify a way ahead for higher education institutions to be successful in today’s modern world.
Yvonne Maffia
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The annual EDUCAUSE conference highlighted higher education technology trends, goals, challenges, and how to identify a way ahead for higher education institutions to be successful in today’s modern world.
Yvonne Maffia
Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Education, Market Intelligence, State & Local Government, Technology
The annual EDUCAUSE conference highlighted higher education technology trends, goals, challenges, and how to identify a way ahead for higher education institutions to be successful in today’s modern world.
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Education, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
Over the last few months, there have been several recent cybersecurity initiatives at the federal level, aimed at bridging gaps in K-12 cybersecurity policy and strategy.
Yvonne Maffia
Cybersecurity, Education, Federal Government, Market Intelligence, Technology
Over the last few months, there have been several recent cybersecurity initiatives at the federal level, aimed at bridging gaps in K-12 cybersecurity policy and strategy.
Yvonne Maffia
Federal Government, Market Intelligence
Ah yes, we meet again. The last week of the fiscal year: the air is cooler, pumpkin spice is in everything and the government might shut down. That is, if a deal isn’t reached by midnight on September 30th. This feels even more common, mostly because it is. And I don’t know about you, but the word “shutdown” might sound scary, apropos leading up to Halloween I suppose, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ll talk about what exactly a shutdown is, and more importantly, what it is not.
Susanna Patten