In September, the chapter held the Koblenz Symposium on Information Technology 2010, which focused on “Joint and Combined Operations—Modern Information Systems in an Operational Environment.”
Hosted by the chapter and the German Armed Forces Information Technology and Management Office (IT-AmtBw), it was the sixth annual Koblenz Symposium on information technology in the theater. This year's event featured more international topics, and it included speakers such as Dag Wilhelmsen, technical director, NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency; Kevin J. Scheid, deputy general manager, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency; and Lt. Gen. John A. Dubia, USA (Ret.), executive vice president of AFCEA International.
The event was co-hosted by Brig. Gen. Klaus F. Veit, GEA, deputy director, IT-AmtBw, and Brig. Gen. Reimar Scherz, GEA (Ret.), chapter vice president.
This year's event focused on Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) information systems together with their special operational requirements. Critical questions were discussed, such as, “Which types of operational requirements result from joint and combined operations?” They also addressed systems supporting network-enabled operations; future-oriented architectural approaches for extending network-enabled operations; solutions offered by industry; and lessons learned by agencies and organizations with security relevant tasks.
The new Afghanistan Mission Network (AMN) was a key example cited at the symposium. Germany, the third largest troop provider for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), was forced to deploy its soldiers quickly. This doubled the number of deployed troops to about 30,000 ISAF Secret users in one year who needed to be served by the information technology system. Rapid prototyping in the field was the only way to fulfil these technology needs within a few months. The technical architecture of the Bundeswehr information technology system is changing to network-enabled operations, and it will be subject to more comprehensive modifications. Up-to-date system technology will decisively improve operational support.
Alfred Hummel, director of modernization at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Germany, pointed out that the German approach shares many of the same concepts that paved the way for the AMN, which follows a “need-to-share” concept. It utilizes a common, interoperable domain of information built and secured on the outer borders. Within this domain, the different nations connect with their networks. “We need ways to collaborate in the theater,” said Hummel. Wilhelmson agreed, saying, “Information sharing to the lowest level is key.”
New technology requirements have to be developed and deployed quickly, and symposium speakers agreed that the solution is to use rapid prototyping and commercial off-the-shelf products. The chapter and the IT-AmtBw hope the symposium acts as a key driver for change by bringing together the armed forces, industry and academia.
At the end of the day, presenters agreed that current technology no longer seems to be the stumbling block, and the weak spots are training and education. There is no need for sophisticated technology if a soldier in the field cannot use it, and “the critical enabler is trust” when it comes to information sharing, said Wilhemsen. |
