Page 69 - GCN, June/July 2018

IT TRANSFORMATION
Security has to be at the foundational level of everything we do. We need to make sure that it’s evaluated throughout all stages, from conception through O&M.
first modular data center in 2016, and we just released two and three. Modular data centers are more efficient and scalable than our legacy brick-and- mortar facilities. We’re delivering what was once in a building of approximately
11,000 square feet into a 1,000-square- foot modular data center. Of course, in order to achieve this, we’re looking at a lot of virtual machines.
We are also investing in centralized cloud services. There are other organizations within the department that may already have small footprints outside our enterprise data centers. But the goal is that once the enterprise platform is expanded, that offering will be solicited throughout the department. That’s how we’ll streamline and be
able to make better judgments about the dollar resources and the people resources that are used to tackle this type of work.
What should agencies keep in mind as they modernize their data centers?
Security has to be at the foundational level of everything we do. We need to make sure that it’s evaluated throughout all stages, from conception through O&M. Sometimes in the rush to modernize legacy systems, people may overlook some dependencies of a legacy
system because it’s been operating for so long. You have to make sure that you’re strategic and thorough as you’re looking to transition any legacy system into a more modernized footprint.
Then there are the security mandates. Even if you’re not certified at certain levels or you’re not looking for that certification, it’s not a bad thing to evaluate based on that level. If there’s
a possibility that you will end up in
that higher level of security concern or requirement, you might as well build it in from the beginning or at minimum build so that it is scalable.
How do you see government data centers evolving in the future? The data centers of the future will be more scalable and efficient, with a smaller footprint. There will be more elasticity and automation. End-users will have more flexibility and self- service opportunities, e.g., to start
up and shut down services based
on mission workloads and usage requirements. In the immediate future, I think the data centers’ employees will be more business-tech driven versus engineer techie individuals. I see that now with the evolution of the cloud. Cybersecurity-focused individuals will continue to be essential.
We cannot leave out the legacy
environments. Right or wrong, there may always be a need for a “special legacy system.” Government organizations
will have to find a way to maintain and operate those and other legacy systems until we’re able to modernize, transition or decommission.
What advice would you offer other agencies about managing the cultural changes that come with virtualization?
Invest in your resources! That’s primarily your people. Thankfully, I have been
able to successfully transition through various IT environments; however, I’ve seen people get left behind, which is unfortunate. When we have those with the aptitude to learn and the agility to adapt, we have to invest in whatever
they need to enhance their skills and move forward with the newer technology. Oftentimes institutional knowledge can be just as important as the technical skill; therefore, retention, if possible, is best.
If you don’t have the right skill set in-house, of course, you will have to bring on board consultants or full-time government employees who are capable of fulfilling the mission. And we have to continue evaluating the skill sets as new technologies emerge. Ongoing resource investment is a must.
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