John Ustica, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies and a two-time Wash100 awardee, said the Defense Business Board’s February report includes recommendations that call for the Department of Defense to invest in digital infrastructure, promote a culture of innovation and create clear governance frameworks to facilitate data sharing while advancing collaboration with industry.
In an article published Thursday on SGT’s website, Ustica wrote that DOD should combine its operational insights and strategic objectives with the private sector’s agile development processes and technologies to speed up the adoption of a digital ecosystem and maintain strategic superiority.
“Through this synergy, the DOD can access a broader range of innovative solutions, streamline procurement processes, and implement advanced digital tools more efficiently,” he noted.
“Industry collaboration also facilitates the sharing of best practices and rapid integration of emerging technologies, ensuring that the DOD can swiftly adapt to evolving threats and maintain a technological edge over adversaries,” Ustica added.
According to the chief executive of SGT, key recommendations in the DBB report include designating a centralized authority within DOD to manage the development of a digital ecosystem, building collaboration and data exchange platforms and creating a common vision and taxonomy that supports high-impact digital efforts.
“Digital transformation of this magnitude will require continuous investment and broad collaboration and input from industry, including startups, primes, and commercial entities, to accelerate innovation, enable true interoperability, and sustain technological dominance,” Ustica wrote.