DISA senior leaders highlight industry’s role in mission success at Federal Networks 2024

By Marco A. Villasana Jr., DISA Office of Strategic Communication and Public Affairs

The Defense Information Systems Agency is ready for candid conversations centered on a deep understanding of mission requirements that help lead to better solutions.

At Federal Networks 2024 on Sept. 24, several DISA senior leaders shared insights on how industry can better support the agency's mission through honest, problem-focused partnership. They urged companies to listen more and pitch less.

Jeff Marshall , DISA Hosting and Compute acting director, prefers the "why before what" approach. He noted that industry often focuses on showcasing products rather than first identifying and addressing the agency’s unique needs.

“I don’t want to start there. Start with what my challenges are,” Marshall said. “I may not actually understand what my issue is or what my challenge is, and I may first want to talk about that and have you just actively listen.”

He encouraged industry representatives to have multiple discussions that focus on DISA’s mission and challenges before diving into technical details. This approach, according to Marshall, helps establish trust and fosters a more collaborative relationship.

Sharon Woods , DISA Endpoint and Global Services Directorate director, underscored the need for industry partners to offer honest assessments. “I would really appreciate being told when my ideas are terrible,” said Woods. “For me, those end up being the most productive conversations.”

Woods stressed that the agency relies on industry for expertise and expects partners to help DISA overcome challenges it cannot tackle alone. She emphasized that straightforward communication enables the agency to leverage industry innovation more effectively.

Brian Hermann , DISA Program Executive Office for Cyber director, highlighted the complexity of DISA’s cyber terrain and the need for industry to simplify operations and defenses while keeping up with evolving threats.

“We need to be able to respond in a timely manner, to attack and defend against [cyber threats],” Hermann said. “We will likely never achieve one single solution for the entire United States Department of Defense . So, understanding that challenge, how do the capabilities that you bring fit in to make operation and defense of our terrain simpler and faster?”

Hermann expressed a commitment to regularly engage with industry partners to stay informed about emerging technologies and potential solutions. He emphasized the value of continuous discussion in navigating the rapidly changing cyber landscape.

Chris Paczkowski , DISA Program Executive Office for Transport director, wrapped up the discussion by reinforcing the importance of understanding the agency’s complex systems and ensuring that proposed solutions are actionable. He encouraged industry to think creatively while remaining grounded in the practical realities of DISA’s operational environment.

“Spending that time to really understand … we have thousands and thousands of [network equipment pieces]. This isn’t a ‘hey, just rip this out and go for it.’ We can’t shut down the network,” Paczkowski said. He advised industry partners to consider the full scope of DISA’s operations before proposing solutions that might disrupt critical services.

Overall, the senior leaders conveyed that successful partnerships with industry depend on open, honest communication and a shared commitment to understanding and addressing DISA’s mission challenges.

Visit DISA.mil to learn about becoming a mission partner.

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