Navy moves to eliminate duplicative systems

The Navy's CIO wants to accelerate the shutdown of duplicative IT systems, networks and applications, according to a recent memo.

"The Department of the Navy maintains an excessive number of information technology systems, networks, and applications in an overly complex architecture, which affects the Department's ability to transform operations and remain agile in responding to and gaining a competitive edge over our adversaries," the Navy said in the Dec. 2 memo's opening line.

"This situation is unacceptable and must not continue."

The goal for what's being called Operation Cattle Drive is to "sunset or rationalize unneeded, obsolete, unproductive, insecure and un-auditable IT systems and applications," by eliminating funds and resources, decertifying and removing identified assets from the Navy's networks, the Navy CIO wrote.

IT portfolios for financial management and logistics would be the first up for the overhaul, according to the memo, and portfolio managers and IT capability owners would have to draw up plans that include "clear system and application sunset dates with no extension."

The Navy also updated its cloud policy to push for increased adoption and use of cloud services, according to a Dec. 7 memo.

All new software and software development shall leverage the inherent characteristics of cloud computing services, shall maximize use of enterprise cloud services, and shall support continuous integration/continuous delivery to the maximum extent possible that both mission requirements and technical capabilities allow," the memo states.

The policy extends Navy and Marine Corps contracts and "includes all networks and environments" such as enterprise, legacy, ashore, afloat, tactical, mobile, lab, and classroom environments. The scope also includes all funding types -- even non-appropriated funds -- with no room for exclusions or exemptions.