SECNAV Memo - April 30, 2020
This memo designates the positions of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6) and the Deputy Commandant for Information (DCI) to serve in an additional duty capacity as the Department of the Navy Deputy Chief Information Officer (Navy) (DON Deputy CIO (Navy)) and the Department of the Navy Deputy Chief Information Officer (Marine Corps) (DON
Deputy CIO ...
DON Vision Document - February 14, 2020
The Department of the Navy Information Superiority Vision conveys the DON's vision for information superiority through our information, modernized network design, and our workforce; and defines our way forward.
UNSECNAV Memo - September 19, 2019
This memo designates the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer as the Senior Component Official for Privacy (SCOP) for the Department of the Navy, delegated the responsibility for oversight of the Department's implementation of the Privacy Act of 1974.
SECNAV Instruction 5430.7R - May 2, 2017
The purpose of this instruction is to publish responsibilities and authorities for the administration of the Department of the Navy. It also relates to the responsibilities of the staff assistants for the Undersecretary of the Navy and the staff assistant role of the DUSN (M).
DoD Guidance - October 20, 2015
The purpose of this Plan is to describe the planned actions of the Department of Defense (DoD) to implement FITARA and the guidance contained in Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-15-14, and describe the Department's processes and procedures for managing its Information Technology (IT) investments.
DoD CIO Memo - October 23, 2014
This memo establishes the Enterprise Information Technology Business Case Analysis Template to provide a standardized approach and criteria for analyzing IT investments. The template is based on business cases used in the DoD and industry.
DON CIO is currently drafting policy on implementing the below DoD CIO memo.
SECNAVINST 5420.197A - July 1, 2014
The purpose of this instruction is to establish policy and responsibilities for the Department of the Navy Business Transformation Council (BTC), with the membership and processes defined herein. The BTC provides a senior DON forum in which business transformation efforts that cross organizational and/or functional boundaries can be strategically assessed, approved, and accelerated.
OMB Memo - August 8, 2011
This memo is designed to clarify the primary area of responsibility for agency chief information officers (CIOs) throughout the government, as identified in the 25 Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management. It discusses the changing role of agency CIOs away from just policy
VCNO Memo - June 10, 2011
This memo appoints the Department of the Navy Deputy Chief Information Officer as the single Functional Area Manager authority for Navy.
UNSECNAV Memo - March 1, 2011
This charter establishes the Department of the Navy Information Enterprise Governance Board (IGB) as the Department's single, senior governance forum for information management, information technology (to include national security systems) and cyberspace, and information resources management matters. The IGB is empowered to function as both a decision-making and an advisory forum.
SECNAVINST 5430.7Q - August 17, 2009
This instruction assigns Department-wide responsibilities for administration of the Department of the Navy to and among the Civilian Executive Assistants and Staff Assistants to the Secretary of the Navy.
by Aaron D. Weis - August 17, 2020
In my last message I discussed how the DON rapidly met the challenge of supporting a record number of teleworkers due to COVID-19. Mass telework was unexplored territory; the full complement of the DON workforce had never teleworked at the same time for an extended period of time. As CIO, I had to shift focus to ensure the infrastructure upgrades and collaboration tools were in place to allow Department personnel to ...
August 14, 2020
DON CIO Aaron Weis recently participated in a virtual DoD CIO Town Hall. During his presentation, he focused on driving the competitive advantage to build information superiority, and win the Naval fight.
August 14, 2020
The DON IT Conference, East Coast 2020 scheduled for Nov. 4-6 will be a virtual event. Further details on schedule and registration will be available in the upcoming weeks.
June 2, 2020
A summary of survey responses and feedback about the DON IT Conference, West Coast 2020 is now available for download. In addition to attendee feedback, this short presentation provides details on the types of sessions held, category of attendees, and continuous learning certificates distributed.
by Aaron D. Weis - June 1, 2020
It was late February, just three months ago, that we were preparing for the DON IT Conference in San Diego. At the time there were some COVID-19 cases in a nursing home in the state of Washington and there were rumors of an isolated case near San Diego. At the conference, hand sanitizer stations were in place, so we hand sanitized a little more than usual, and some tried to minimize handshakes, but for the most part it ...
by Andrew Eversden - June 1, 2020
In an interview with C4ISRNET, DON CIO Aaron Weis discussed the progress the sea service has made on its cybersecurity posture and IT environment since he became CIO, as well as new pilot programs and how the Navy is spending funds on information technology.
April 27, 2020
The DON IT Conference, East Coast 2020 has been rescheduled for Nov. 4-6, 2020, at the Hilton Norfolk The Main in Norfolk, VA. Additional details and registration will be available in the upcoming weeks.
April 14, 2020
Our day-to-day operations have fundamentally changed over the last several days, and most likely will continue to do so, creating a new battle rhythm for continuing operations. I am asking each of you to be mindful of how you handle our data (e.g. Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Classified information) as we have moved to a mass telework ...
by Aaron D. Weis - April 8, 2020
With the announcement of Secretary Modly's resignation, I have gotten a number of questions from members of our community, across DON, Navy and Marine Corps, and externally about what this means for our mission of Digital Transformation to Modernize, Innovate and Defend the Department's information. The answer is: Nothing.
For those of us with more than a few years work experience (and in 30 years myself), the ...
March 12, 2020
DON CIO Aaron Weis was the Monday luncheon keynote speaker at the WEST conference held in San Diego March 2-3.
February 28, 2020
The DON IT Conference, West Coast 2020 schedule is now available. The conference will be held March 2-3, 2020, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. No conference fee will be assessed, but registration is required. Pre-registration is now closed, but will be available on-site at the Convention Center.
by Aaron Weis - February 19, 2020
The Department of the Navy is at a critical time in its history. As a Department, we lack mastery of our Information Environment and depend on outdated processes and antiquated network structures that fail to deliver a modern user experience. The Cybersecurity Readiness Review highlighted the need for strong cybersecurity and the risks to the Department if we do not forge a path that organizes around information as a ...
February 19, 2020
DON CIO has released the DON Information Superiority Vision which conveys the DON's vision for information superiority through our information, modernized network design, and our workforce; and defines our way forward.
by Aaron Weis - October 23, 2019
It is my pleasure to greet you as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy for Information Management and Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer. While the DON CIO position is one that you're familiar with, the Special Assistant role was created to ensure the highest level of visibility and support for the position.
January 23, 2019
Walk-in registration onsite at the West Coast DON IT Conference scheduled for Feb. 13-15 at the San Diego Convention Center will be available for three categories of attendees: 1) Non-TAD DON civilian and military attendees; 2) local and TAD government support contractors who provide a CAC or contact information of government sponsor; and 3) local and TAD non-DON government attendees.
The schedule, session ...
by Capt. Damen Hofheinz - July 13, 2018
It is my pleasure to be selected to serve as Director, Office of the CIO (OCIO). The DON CIO recently consolidated and reorganized. Certain functions not statutorily required to be done by the CIO were delegated to the Navy and Marine Corps. This is resulting in streamlined processes, workflow efficiency, and a leaner CIO organization. Mr. Thomas Modly, Under Secretary of the Navy, is also both the Chief Management ...
by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Yarborough, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - April 27, 2018
Rear Adm. Danelle Barrett, Navy Cyber Security Division Director, and senior leaders from the Office of the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (DON CIO) awarded eight recipients for their work, drive and innovation that advanced the Navy and Marine Corps Information Technology (IT) communities during the DON IT Conference at The Main Hilton, April 24.
February 23, 2018
NAVSUP Business Systems Center hosted a booth at WEST 2018, which was held at the same time and location as the West Coast DON IT Conference. Interviewed at the booth by NAVSUP BSC Public Affairs Officer Vickie Hardy, Dr. Fletcher shared her insights into cybersecurity, risk management and the digital transformation. View excerpts from the interview.
September 14, 2016
On August 18, 2016 DoD CIO released a new strategy titled, "DoD IT Environment: Way Forward for Tomorrow's Strategic Landscape." ...
December 11, 2015
The Department of Defense's push to use innovative technology as a path to transforming government is continuing to gain traction and recognition in the federal technology community. More...
November 16, 2015
The Combined Federal Campaign's (CFC) mission is to promote and support philanthropy through an employee focused and effective program that provides federal employees with an opportunity to choose from many worthy charities that support those in need around the world. More...
November 24, 2014
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert has issued his 2014 Position Report. The Position Report is used to assess the progress that's been made toward the vision and plans outlined in the CNO Sailing Directions and Navigation Plan: 2015-2019. The report also highlights both achievements, and areas which need improvement, and discusses the progress yet to be made while focusing on three tenets: Warfighting ...
by Barbara Hoffman - June 9, 2014
It has been a privilege to serve in leadership positions for the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer, including as Director of both the E-business and Investment Management teams, Principal Deputy for two very talented DON CIOs, and now as the DON CIO (Acting). Our business IT environment has evolved dramatically over this timeframe, in technology advances as well as in operational and fiscal challenges.
January 10, 2014
The current budget realities faced by the Department of the Navy have created for us a "new normal." And though we still work diligently to find more ways to save money, we also must adjust to the new normal by asking, "Now what?" How do we get from a mindset of "cutting back to save money" to using the cutting edge of technology to transform our business processes?
July 12, 2013
Admiral David G. Farragut once said, referring to Marines aboard Navy vessels, that a ship without Marines is like a coat without buttons. A similar sentiment could be expressed regarding our Department of the Navy civilian workforce.
In today’s climate of austere budgets, sequestration and furloughs for our civilian workforce, we spend a lot of time talking about where and how we’re going to spend – and not spend – our ...
April 16, 2013
In the 1986 movie, "Heartbreak Ridge," Clint Eastwood plays the salty Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Highway, an old-school Marine who realizes he must change some of his ways to succeed in a changing world.
His personal mantra — "improvise, adapt, overcome" — is also a teaching point he uses — relentlessly — with the Marines of his underperforming reconnaissance platoon. We, in the Department of the Navy, face a similar ...
January 29, 2013
Chances are you've seen the TV ad for a used-car company that begins with a potential buyer looking for “a car.” He is suddenly facing a sea of automobiles, which he narrows down by being more specific: "A red car. With good gas mileage. With four doors." And so on.
This is a good example of what we in the IT world call "transparency." Contrary to common misconceptions, data transparency does not mean access to all ...
October 24, 2012
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein said these words two generations ago, and yet they ring even more true today. But, we must not stop there. While it is vital that we use current solutions, best practices and technologies to enable our immediate success, we must also maintain a steadfast eye on the horizon for future requirements, industry trends ...
August 8, 2012
The Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer deployed the next generation of its website today to better showcase content and provide improved access to the information relied on daily by members of the DON IT community.
July 27, 2012
We all save an overabundance of mementos from the past — whether it is a favorite blanket from grandma, a box full of baseball cards (unfortunately, not a Tug McGraw or Ted Williams rookie
card in the mix), or 20-year-old report cards. While it may be comforting to know that we can always find a particular item; in reality, is that box of baseball cards valuable enough to keep around? We, as a department, have long ...
June 5, 2012
At the most recent Department of the Navy Information Technology Conference in Virginia Beach, Va., Terry Halvorsen, DON Chief Information Officer, held a town hall to discuss his strategy for business IT transformation and the future of DON IT. Download the full transcript, which includes questions from the audience, here.
May 30, 2012
During the next five to 10 years, the Department of the Navy is facing significant budget constraints. To support vital warfighting capabilities that protect the safety of the nation, it is necessary to find efficiencies in other areas. As part of this effort, the DON Chief Information Office and its information technology partners, such as internal stakeholders and industry, will thoroughly review all operations from an ...
February 14, 2012
The Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer discussed the Department's IT business transformation efforts to prepare for a fiscally constrained future with enterprise and joint solutions that are effective, efficient and agile during the DON Information Technology Conference in San Diego.
by Jessica Pelenberg - November 18, 2011
As the quest for cost saving efficiencies rages on, three government officials spoke about the challenges their organizations are facing and their plans to tackle them at the Fifth Annual C5ISR Government and Industry Partnership Conference held Nov. 16, in Charleston, S.C.
September 7, 2011
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign with more than 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally, helping to raise millions of dollars each year.
June 7, 2011
The Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer discussed the Department's work to become more effective and efficient in the information technology domain during the DON Information Technology Conference in Virginia Beach May 10-12.
March 28, 2011
The Department of the Navy Information Enterprise Governance Board (IGB) was established March 1 to serve as the Department's single, senior information management, information technology/cybersecurity and information resources management (IRM) policy and governance forum. This executive board serves in both a decision-making and advisory capacity.
July 1, 2020
Creating a Cyber Secure Home
Andrej Stare
DoD CIO Launches Cyber Workforce Framework Interactive Tool
CHIPS Magazine
The 2020 United States Census – Is my Personal Information Safe?
Steve Daughety and Suzette Tho
June 10, 2020
Overall leadership responsibility is vested in the CIO, supported a Deputy CIO (Navy) and Deputy CIO (Marine Corps), in addition to a Chief Technology Officer, Chief Data Officer, Chief Digital Innovation Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer.
June 10, 2020
Vice Adm. Jeff Trussler is a native of Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation. He graduated from Miami High School (’81 Wardogs), Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma. He was commissioned at the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1985. He was also a 2011-2012 Fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program in ...
May 29, 2020
A Michigan native, the Honorable Kenneth J. Braithwaite was sworn in as the 77th Secretary of the Navy May 29, 2020. He previously served as the 31st U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.
March 26, 2020
The Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer Organization Chart.
(Click image to view larger size.)
December 6, 2019
What is the DON CIO?
Federal Chief Information Officers were mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to address information management, information technology, and information resources management (IM/IT/IRM) at the enterprise level.
October 23, 2019
The Electromagnetic "Canary in the Coal Mine"?
Thomas Kidd
Newly Restructured DON CIO Provides Organizational Unity for IT and Cybersecurity
Sharon Anderson, CHIPS senior editor
A Collaborative Environment to Achieve Spec
October 9, 2019
Lieutenant General Loretta E. Reynolds is the Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters, U.S.
Marine Corps; and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command. She was commissioned in May
1986 upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and assigned as a Communications Officer.
October 2, 2019
Aaron Weis was named Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer effective September 29, 2019. As DON CIO, he is the Principal Staff Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy for information management, digital, data and cyber strategy. In this role, he is also responsible for reviewing the DON budget proposal for Information Technology (IT) and National Security System (NSS) expenditures and investments, and ...
November 8, 2018
CAPT Damen Hofheinz is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He was commissioned through the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University in May 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Electronics. He lateral transferred to the Information Professional Community in August 2005
His sea tours include electrical and ordnance officer on USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70); operations officer on MCM Rotational Crew Bravo; ...
November 8, 2018
A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Vice Adm. Matthew Kohler graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and was commissioned as a naval intelligence officer in 1984 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School. Kohler holds Master’s degrees in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Military History from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
May 2, 2018
Mr. Bible currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Department at Headquarters Marine Corps. In this capacity, he also serves as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Marine Corps, and formulates and provides broad policy guidance governing Information Technology, Cyber Security, and communications infrastructure and applications in support of the U. ...
January 11, 2017
Dr. Fletcher serves as the Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Navy. In this role, she provides strategic guidance and direction to the DON CIO's functional teams of Cybersecurity, Information Technology Analysis & Internal Controls, Enterprise Infrastructure, Privacy & Information Sharing, and Strategic Spectrum Policy. Dr. Fletcher leads the development of policies, plans, ...
October 21, 2016
Vice Adm. Jan Tighe was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and raised in Plantation, Florida. Tighe is a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a cryptologist. She studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute. She graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, in 2001 with a doctorate in electrical engineering and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics.
September 14, 2015
Brigadier General Crall assumed the duties of Director – Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4), Headquarters Marine Corps / Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Marine Corps on July 21, 2015. A native of South Carolina, he graduated from the University of South Carolina and was commissioned in 1987.
July 2, 2015
Rob Foster was selected as the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer effective June 2015. In support of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management, Mr. Foster heads the Office of the DON CIO and is the DON's senior official and advisor on matters related to Information Management (IM), Information Technology (IT)/cyberspace, and Information Resources Management (IRM). He develops strategies, ...
January 29, 2013
The following are links to past messages from the DON CIO.
December 19, 2007
The book "Power of Team: The Making of a CIO" shares the experiences and insights of the DON CIO as it constructed and implemented an agenda for the newly formed Office of the Chief Information Officer.