Internet of Things, analytics, mobile and cloud 'very much part of the agenda' for Ministry of Defence
Latest technology enables MoD to 'retain operational advantage', says Air Vice-Marshal Mark Neal, director service design for MoD Information Systems and Services
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) views new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, cloud and mobile as key to retaining operational advantage over hostile forces.
That's what Air Vice-Marshal Mark Neal, director service design for MoD Information Systems and Services, told the audience at TechUK's 2030 conference on the future of public services.
"We're here talking about public services and if you're talking about public services, you wouldn't pick MoD as an obvious choice, perhaps, but it does deliver public services, to recruits, veterans and reserves," he said. However, he added, it needs "to transform the way it does business".
"We need to transform the way we [use data and technology] to retain operational advantage," Neal said.
"We need to be smarter with data and information than the other side.We need to be able to respond like-for-like and over match them," he told the TechUK audience.
"Things like Internet of Things, whilst they may not be prevalent in the UK public sector at large, they are very much part of the agenda within defence, alongside cloud, alongside mobile internet and alongside analytics," he said.
Neal said issues of national security meant he couldn't go into further detail, but it is known that recently the Ministry of Defence turned to the G-Cloud framework to procure a new data centre.
Neal said that by using the latest information technology, the MoD would become more cost efficient while retaining a strategic advantage over enemy forces.
"It's that combination of the fact we are part of the government and we need to do a better job at providing a public service, but also because of the type of work we do, I need to be able to retain the operational advantage," he said.
In August last year, Ministry of Defence CIO Mike Stone outlined IT transformation plans intended to deliver "the modern, open and flexible IT we need to support defence activity".
The plans aim to improve the department's support for mobile computing, as well as more flexible modes of working.