The United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) successfully conducted the Global Secure Network (GSN) Operations and Maintenance Workshop on November 13-14, 2024, at NETCOM Headquarters in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. This workshop, a key component of NETCOM’s transformation initiative, aims to increase the flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability of today and tomorrow’s Army.
Participants included representatives from NETCOM and its suborganizations, such as the Global Cyber Center, all five Regional Cyber Centers, Theater Signal Commands and Brigades, and Network Enterprise Centers (NECs). Together, they engaged in collaborative discussions focused on four critical topics that are essential for ensuring a seamless transition and positive customer experience with the upcoming SIPR environment.
The key topics addressed during the workshop were:
1. Global Provisioning of End User Devices (EUDs): Establishing best practices for the deployment of EUDs across the globe.
2. Integration of Existing Solutions: Evaluating the potential incorporation of existing solutions from Ft. Liberty, Ft. Eisenhower, and 311th’s Commercial Solutions for Classified into the GSN framework.
3. RACI Chat Development: Creating a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) chart to align tasks, roles, and responsibilities among all NETCOM organizations that support various aspects of GSN.
4. Operations and Maintenance Concept of Operations (CONOP): Detailing the support strategy for GSN, which includes elements outlined in the RACI chart.
An additional highlight of the workshop was an update provided by the Project Manager for Integrated Enterprise Networks (PM-IEN) regarding the design of the updated SIPR – Consolidated Security Suite (S-CSS). This briefing outlined the Army's strategy for transitioning from legacy SIPR top level architecture stacks to the innovative S-CSS framework.
“The GSN Operations and Maintenance Workshop is a pivotal step in our ongoing transformation efforts at NETCOM,” said Mr. Patrick Dedham, Deputy to the Commander, NETCOM. “By enhancing our operational strategies and aligning our resources, we are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the Army and ensure a secure and efficient network environment.”
As NETCOM continues its commitment to operational excellence, workshops like these play an essential role in preparing for future challenges and ensuring mission success.