DISA to develop IT standards

The Defense Information Systems Agency will oversee information technology standards for the military, according to new policy issued by Defense Department officials.

As executive agent, DISA officials will identify and propose IT standards to develop and implement a standards management strategy. They will let the department carry out network-centric operations across the military and with government agencies, said the May 21 directive, "DOD Executive Agent for Information Technology Standards."

DISA officials will create a plan for the department's IT shop, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration and Chief Information Officer. The strategy will give warfighters fast, secure and easy-to-find information that will let them outsmart and outmaneuver enemy forces, according to the 11-page directive signed by Paul Wolfowitz, DOD deputy defense secretary.

The new DOD IT standards policy also tells DISA to participate in industry, government and coalition forces' forums. "Facilitate the commercialization of DOD IT requirements by influencing the development of commercial standards through participation in commercial standards bodies," the directive said.