Closing Remarks from RADM Christopher Bartz and Megan Mance

Explore the transformative journey of the Department of Homeland Security as it transitions from the Biden era to new leadership. This episode promises a deep dive into strategies that align government regulations with industry motivations. Featuring the insights of DHS strategy leaders and industry expert Luke McCormick, we navigate the complexities of procurement innovation and the technological advancements spearheaded by CIOs that bolster mission success. Engage in a conversation that redefines collaboration as a critical force multiplier in achieving DHS goals.

During our discussion, we address thought-provoking questions from an engaged audience, challenging the norms of government-industry interaction. With the invaluable orchestration of Megan and the HSDF, we uncover the tactical and strategic layers that shape the enterprise vision of DHS. The episode culminates in a reflection on the power of collective mind power to tackle adversarial threats, coupled with a social hour where the most insightful dialogues unfold. Join us to witness how collaboration and innovation can bridge the gap between finite government budgets and the profit-driven motives of the industry.

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Transcript

Rear Admiral Christopher Bartz, Deputy CIO, Department of Homeland Security: 0:09

Thank you. Really great forum today. So I think what we started out with was what does the vision look like from the top? You got to hear a little bit of my story and about where we're pointing and where we're moving to as we transition from the Biden administration to whatever the next one is. Then we get a great panel to talk about more of a strategic viewpoint and an enterprise viewpoint in DHS from a mixture of DHS strategy leaders and also one industry panelist leaders and also one industry panelist. Next went from that strategic viewpoint to the procurement innovation viewpoint. So what are the boundaries that we have set, or what boundaries do we have to abide by to basically exercise that strategy? So how do we do the procurement? And then, finally, the last panel, which was hey, these are the boots on the ground folks, the CIOs at the tactical edge that are trying to push the technology out there to enable mission. So really great kind of a great sequencing of panels and really good meaty takeaways.

Rear Admiral Christopher Bartz, Deputy CIO, Department of Homeland Security: 1:25

So I'd really like to thank all of the panelists. I thought they did a fantastic and excellent job and I'd also like to thank the audience, because I know the panel that I moderated on we didn't, it was all of your questions, and so I really appreciate the participation that you did. You had and then you know you had some really great questions that made us maybe think a little bit about how we're interacting with industry. I'd like to thank Megan and the HSDF, I mean, thank you so much for bringing us in here and involving us in this event. And then Luke McCormick, thank you so much. He's the master facilitator between DHS, cio and industry, and so we really appreciate Luke's interaction. And then, finally, I think one of the things that I had talked about in my talk was this idea of collaboration and industry as a force multiplier.

Rear Admiral Christopher Bartz, Deputy CIO, Department of Homeland Security: 2:26

I think we really got after that today. I think there's some things that we can do a little bit better, you know, with the conversations that we're having today at this forum, at subsequent forums and at the social hour which is going to be immediately after this. So I think that's when the best conversations happen. But you know we got work to do. We have a mission to accomplish, both industry and government, different motivations, but you know we're talking matching government, mission-oriented organizations with finite budget and for-profit organizations that are trying to help us. So there's definitely a challenge there. And then we have the government regulations that we have to abide by, but I think with the collective mind power in this room, that we will be able to overcome that and meet our mission goals and defend against our adversaries. So thank you again.