INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. Defense Information Systems Agency Can Improve Investment Planning and Management Controls

DISA is a DOD component agency reporting to the assistant secretary of defense for command, control, communications, and intelligence. DISA centrally manages major portions of DODs common global IT resources, providing services and operating and maintaining systems that support the computing, networking, and information needs of the national command authority, military services, joint military commands, and Defense agencies. DISAs services include providing computing capabilities critical to DODs global combat support operations providing voice, data, and video telecommunications services to DOD and other customers purchasing telecommunications services on behalf of its customers from commercial vendors and other sources, such as voice services from the General Services Administrations Federal Technology Service contract and purchasing customized IT products and services. In addition to these services, DISA also operates and maintains a number of systems that perform mission-critical functions. These systems include the following The Defense Information Systems Network, which is used to provide telecommunication services. The Global Combat Support System, which integrates joint combat support information from various databases and presents battlefield status information during an engagement. The Defense Message System, which interfaces with other U.S. government agencies, allies, and contractors to provide multimedia messaging and directory services for DOD users worldwide. The Global Command and Control System, which provides a range of information needed to conduct joint U.S. and allied military operations, including battlefield information, imagery, planning support, and other intelligence information. The system operates at over 625 networked sites worldwide.