DHS sets two-pronged approach to EIS adoption

NOTE: This article first appeared on FCW.com. 

The Department of Homeland Security  plans to leverage the federal government's $50 billion next-generation telecommunications contract to modernize its sprawling IT operations, according to the agency's CIO.

This past summer, DHS brought in two vendors to help it work on requirements for the transition to the Enterprise Infrastructure Services telecommunications contract, CIO John Zangardi said.

With that input, he said DHS has selected two options for the transition.

The first is a straightforward "like-for-like" option to upgrade telecom circuits, and the second is focused on modernizing end points in the agency's networks using virtualization,  Zangardi said at an ACT-IAC panel on Oct. 5. He said he expects Fair Opportunity contract awards in 2019.

Zangardi is working with the agency's Deputy's Management Action Group, which is composed of deputies from across the agency's components on EIS implementation plans.

"I want to create something [for] the future that is more flexible, sustainable and adaptable as a network architecture," he said during the ACT-IAC presentation.

Among other IT modernization efforts at the agency, Zangardi said he's working on optimizing security operations centers. The agency has 16 SOCs spread across the country. DHS has formed four working groups to examine potential cybersecurity service plans, policies, contracting and optimization tools for the SOCs, he said.