Acting Pentagon CIO Katie Arrington on how ‘mission network as a service’ will reshape operations

Katie Arrington, Acting CIO of the Department of War, discussed the transition to a global “Mission Network as a Service,” which will enable secure, efficient access to data and resources worldwide. This initiative, inspired by NATO, involves federated ICAM and standardized data labeling. Arrington emphasized the urgency of achieving zero trust by 2027, highlighting the role of DISA and commercial partners in this effort. She expressed concern about continuous resource allocation for zero trust, which requires ongoing monitoring and remediation. The Department is also focused on other initiatives like CMMC and the SWIFT program to enhance security and efficiency.