15.4 Future demands on Defence ICT include an increasing focus on information superiority and the networked capabilities discussed in Chapter 9. The prospect of new disruptive technologies that could threaten network capabilities will also increase, as will the threat and complexity of cyber warfare. 15.5 Defence's information and communications capability has developed over many years, and there is
a need to draw together the various Defence communications and information domains into a single, properly governed information environment, delivering a capability fully aligned with the priorities set by the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary.
15.6 The ICT reform program will deliver business efficiencies and lower costs in Defence's information and communications technologies. This will be achieved through such measures as the development of a single Defence desktop environment, an improved network to support higher-speed connectivity, and the consolidation of Defence's data centres, from 200 to fewer than ten. More robust governance arrangements for Defence's ICT spending and the management of the Defence information environment will also be implemented. These measures will improve operational effectiveness and corporate functions.
15.7 The proposed reforms will deliver to Defence a secure and robust ICT capability that supports war fighting and business requirements. All Defence personnel, regardless of location, will be able to access and share information and collaborate with their counterparts in Defence, the Government and industry, and other allied or coalition partners, using social networking capabilities.
15.8 There will be one network connecting fixed and deployed locations built on a single set of standards and approved products that encompass all security levels and the ability to determine that the right person has the right authority to access information and services. A typical desktop set-up, available to all Defence sites, will be a single screen connected to a wireless network that can display multiple security 'sessions'.
15.9 Secure voice and video will be available to the desktop in most fixed and deployed locations. Deployed commanders and strategic decision makers will have a single view of the battlespace through a single Common Operating Picture accessing a wide range of data from sensors and sources, whilst corporate data will be easily accessed, manipulated and aggregated by Defence staff.
15.10 The reform program will see Defence with an enhanced ICT platform that will be characterised by tighter cost control, greater efficiencies (which will be reinvested in new capabilities), and faster decision cycles focused on delivering high-quality ICT services delivered to Defence. There are five key initiatives in the ICT reform package:
• optimising the value of Defence ICT investment through development of a single portfolio for ICT funding across all parts of Defence, the production of a single work plan for the Defence Information Environment, data centre consolidation and an ICT Products and Services Catalogue; • closer stakeholder engagement and alignment through the implementation of a more responsive
stakeholder engagement model. The Chief Information Officer will become the Coordinating Capability Manager for all Defence ICT;
• provision of agreed priority solutions involving the creation of an enterprise architecture across Defence, consolidation and simplification of the technology base, standardised ICT solutions, and the creation of a single information environment;
• strengthening ICT capability through the consolidation of software and application purchases and maintenance, re-engineering the ICT capability development and delivery methodologies, and developing better Defence ICT career path management and workforce planning arrangements; and
• programming the ICT Reform to integrate ICT reform agendas across Defence and delivering the required governance arrangements to take the reform program forward.
15.11 Reforming Defence's information environment will be a complex undertaking, and must necessarily be undertaken in stages. Some changes are already underway, including implementing new mechanisms to better govern ICT investments and spending across all parts of Defence, and implementing new sourcing strategies where ICT services will be procured through more centralised frameworks and through more strategic and enduring arrangements with fewer numbers of vendors. In the future, additional changes will also be necessary to consolidate a 'whole of Defence' approach to ICT planning and decision making.
15.12 Adopting a single Defence enterprise architecture will be a significant change to ICT planning and investment processes within Defence. As the architecture matures, a more centralised and consolidated approach to delivering ICT services and infrastructure will be implemented. As a result, Government will make changes in scope, acquisition strategies, delivery methodologies and levels of funding for a number of ICT-related capital acquisition projects while maintaining the current level of investment. This initiative in itself will ensure a more targeted approach to ICT investment, reduce risks and improve 'time to market' for the delivery of new ICT capabilities.
15.13 Assured access to military and commercial satellite communications will be needed into the foreseeable future. The core satellite communication capabilities for the ADF will continue to be provided through access to the Wideband Global System operated by the United States, which will provide global broadband communications for fixed and large mobile platforms. This will be complemented by narrow-band ultra high frequency (UHF) satellite capabilities, mainly to support mobile land forces. 15.14 There are a number of initiatives for access to narrow-band satellite communications capabilities in
planning. These include capabilities to support military operations in the ADF's primary operational environment, as well as globally. The scope of the projects may well change depending on commercial, technical and alliance opportunities. The Government will accelerate decision making on UHF satellite communications capabilities needed to support land operations. In the future Australia will look to jointly pursue the development of satellite capabilities - both commercial and military - with the United States and other allies. The US-Australia Military Satellite Communications Partnership Statement of Principles of 2008 commits both nations to exploring further technical collaboration and joint access to satellite communications capabilities.