What Do You Believe DOD's Role And Responsibility Is ✓ Solved
What Do You Believe Dods Role Responsibility Is With Respect To
What do you believe DoD’s role / responsibility is with respect to Federal IT policy? a. What organizations within DoD are responsible for creating DoD IT policy? b. What organizations within DoD are affected by DoD IT policy? c. What, if any, organizations outside of DoD are affected by DoD IT policy? How? d. How do DoD IT policies impact policy development, administration, and enforcement across the Federal Executive Branch (FEB)? e. What, if any, are the implications for other government organizations, industry, and private citizens? 2. Pull in some of the things you learned from your independent homework research on this topic. 3. Feel free to address additional elements from your own personal experience and/or related issues as appropriate to this topic.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Understanding the Department of Defense's (DoD) role and responsibilities concerning federal information technology (IT) policy is crucial in appreciating how national security and technological advancement are intertwined. The DoD operates as a central authority in shaping, implementing, and enforcing policies that guide the use of IT within the department, bearing significant influence not only internally but also across the entire federal government and beyond.
Responsibility of DoD in Federal IT Policy
The primary responsibility of the DoD regarding federal IT policy is to establish security standards, ensure interoperability, and protect sensitive information across military and civilian agencies. Given the strategic importance of defense-related information, the DoD's role extends to setting policies that uphold confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data essential for national security (Daugherty & Wilson, 2020). The department acts as both a policymaker and a regulator within the federal ecosystem, driven by the necessity to safeguard national interests while supporting technological innovation.
Organizations within DoD Responsible for Creating and Impacted by IT Policy
The chief organization responsible for creating DoD IT policy is the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), particularly through its Cyber and Information Security Directorate. This entity formulates policies aligned with national cybersecurity priorities and federal mandates like the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Other entities such as the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and the Defense Digital Service (DDS) influence policy development through technical expertise and implementation support.
Organizations within DoD that are affected by these policies include all military branches, defense agencies, and associated civilian departments engaged in information management and cybersecurity. These policies direct their operational procedures, cybersecurity measures, procurement, and approval processes for IT systems.
Externally, agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are impacted by DoD IT policies as their cybersecurity frameworks often align with or complement those set by the DoD. Private sector contractors tasked with developing defense systems and critical infrastructure are also affected, as they must ensure compliance with evolving standards (Hancock, 2021).
Impact on Federal Policy Development, Administration, and Enforcement
The influence of DoD's IT policies extends across the Federal Executive Branch by setting benchmarks for cybersecurity best practices, risk management frameworks, and incident response protocols. The policies foster a cohesive approach that enables federal agencies to develop interoperable systems and share critical information securely. Through agencies like NIST, DoD’s standards often inform federal guidelines, thereby shaping broader government policy (NIST, 2018).
The enforcement of these policies involves continuous monitoring, audits, and compliance assessments, which serve to create accountability and bolster national cybersecurity resilience. The DoD’s leadership in this domain encourages other agencies to align their security protocols with best practices, fostering a uniform cybersecurity posture across the government (Kuhn et al., 2019).
Implications for the Broader Stakeholders
For industry, strict adherence to DoD IT standards influences procurement strategies, cybersecurity investments, and research and development priorities. Private citizens benefit indirectly from cybersecurity enhancements, data protection measures, and the safeguarding of national infrastructure. On a broader scale, these policies help maintain the United States' strategic advantage in cyber warfare and technological innovation, ensuring secure communication channels and protected information networks (Gordon & Loeb, 2020).
Thus, the DoD assumes a pivotal role in shaping federal IT policy, balancing national security concerns with technological progress while impacting multiple stakeholders across government, industry, and society at large.
References
- Daugherty, P., & Wilson, H. (2020). Cybersecurity Strategies for the Department of Defense. Journal of National Security, 13(2), 115-132.
- Gordon, L. A., & Loeb, M. P. (2020). Information Security Governance and Management. IEEE Security & Privacy, 18(4), 18-26.
- Hancock, E. (2021). Federal cybersecurity frameworks and policy development. Government Information Quarterly, 38(1), 101583.
- Kuhn, D. R., et al. (2019). National Cybersecurity Policy and the Role of the DOD. Defense Systems Journal, 25(4), 45-59.
- NIST. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/CSWP/NIST.CSWP.04162018.pdf