Information Technology

DoD Information Sharing Strategy

The DoD Information Sharing Strategy provides a common vision to synchronize information sharing initiatives and investments throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). Sharing of information is an increasingly important element of mission success. It is imperative to effectively exchange information among components, Federal agencies, coalition partners, foreign governments, and international organizations as a critical element of our efforts to defend the nation and execute the National Security Strategy.[1]

DoD Information Sharing Strategy, 4 May 2007

Benefits of the DoD Information Sharing Strategy include:[1]

  1. Achieving unity of effort across mission and coalition operations,
  2. Improving the speed and execution of decisions,
  3. Achieving rapid adaptability across mission and coalition operations, and
  4. Improving the ability to anticipate events and resource needs, providing an initial situational advantage and setting the conditions for success.

The vision of the DoD Information sharing strategy describes a future state where transparent, open, agile, timely, and relevant information sharing occurs to promote freedom of maneuverability across a trusted information environment. To achieve the vision, this Strategy describes four goals that form the necessary environment across the DoD. These goals are:[1]

  • Promote, encourage, and incentivize sharing;
  • Achieve an extended enterprise;
  • Strengthen agility in order to accommodate unanticipated partners and events; and
  • Ensure trust across organizations.

The DoD Information Sharing Strategy establishes five (5) “Touchstones” of information sharing: [1]

  1. Culture: Successful information sharing requires a major cultural shift across the DoD. There is an established mindset of information “ownership”. The new mindset must be one of information “stewardship”. The best technology, processes, and policies will not make this successful if the people do not embrace the new cultural norms.  To facilitate this shift, organizational leaders must support this cultural change, set the example, educate their people, and offer incentives for, and enforcement of information sharing and stewardship.
  2. Policy: Clear, concise and comprehensive guidance is necessary to implement this Information Sharing Strategy. Laws, policies, regulations, and business rules must be evaluated and adjusted, as required, to facilitate the flow of information across the federated information sharing community, including all external partners.
  3. Governance: The governance framework that provides the accountability and authority; promote standards and guidelines; ensure a consistent well-defined approach, processes and procedures; adjudicate disconnects; establish legal and policy enforcement; and use performance measures to ensure progress towards achieving the information sharing goals.
  4. Economics and Resources: The DoD shall tie information sharing to the DoD fiscal dimension.  The DoD will strategically prioritize planning and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions and purposefully guide Program Evaluation Guidance deliberations. Through portfolio management, a coordinated, integrated enterprise will make DoD Information Sharing more efficient and cost-effective for the government.
  5. Technology and Infrastructure:  Enabling information sharing through the use and practice of current technology and the exploitation of potential future technology allows for improvements to the assured flow, management, and processing of information.

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Updated: 7/20/2017

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