1. Investing for technology success
their systems secure. EA architecture: performance,
C4&IT releases “Enterprise architecture business, information, services,
enterprise architecture, is essential to successfully
align C4&IT investments with
technology, and security (see
information box below).
ensures technology mission execution,” said Adm. Once there, users can locate
Ronald Hewitt, former assistant information about planned
investments meet needs commandant for C4&IT. “EA services for performing reviews
of mission execution ensures that each C4&IT
investment is tied to mission and
of requests for new technologies.
There is a simple five-step process
business needs and not done just for going through these reviews,
I
nformation is critical to every for technology’s sake. EA also and the necessary submission
Coast Guard job, and it’s up ensures that all the various C4&IT forms and instructions are
to the team at Command, projects being developed will work provided. The findings and
Control, Communications, together when they are deployed.” recommendations from these
Computers and Information EA is a significant portion of reviews are provided to the C4&IT
Technology (C4&IT) to provide Commandant Intent Action Order Investment Review Board, which
“cradle-to-grave” information (CIAO) No. 10, which entrusts determines project approval and
systems and technologies that are C4&IT to better serve the needs funding.
matched to the agency’s mission of all internal and external
and business needs and goals. customers through complete What’s next?
On May 15, C4&IT took another delivery of e-Coast Guard.
step toward that goal with the EA can be used by anyone In this first release of the EA,
first release of a new enterprise who is working on a project with C4&IT developed a governance
architecture (version 1.0). C4⁢ looking to acquire C4&IT process for new C4&IT requests
resources, such as software or as well as an initial set of
What is EA? hardware; or seeking to align their information products that show
initiatives with the Coast Guard’s some of the relationships between
EA is a discipline that brings C4&IT strategy and standards. technology investments and
together key business and mission performance. As they
technical information across How to use it move forward, C4&IT will continue
the organization to support to bring new information into the
better decision-making. EA EA information is easily EA knowledge center and to share
knowledge helps users align accessible through the EA Web that information throughout the
their technologies to support site on CGCentral. (Click on agency, creating an environment
the Coast Guard mission, “Resources” then “Enterprise of transparency and improved
pursue information sharing and Architecture” on the left menu decision-making.
accessibility, build interoperable bar.) The EA Web site provides a
applications, comply with robust knowledge center where Story by Andrew Blumenthal, director,
technology standards, develop a user can navigate through Office of Enterprise Architecture and
performance measures, and make the six “perspectives” of the C4&IT Planning
Six EA Perspectives
• Performance: The measurement of strategic and business outcomes.
(Coast Guard Budget-in-Brief and Performance Report)
• Business: The functions and activities that the Coast Guard performs.
(Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security)
• Information: The information needed to perform CG mission and
business activities. (Vessels, cargo, parties, patrols, rescues, boardings,
investigations)
• Services: The applications and capabilities that support CG information
requirements. (MISLE)
• Technology: The underlying technology that supports service delivery.
(Coast Guard Data Network)
• Security: The assurance of confidentiality, integrity, availability and privacy.
(MISLE certification and accreditation)