- CIO warns against complacency as adversaries target vulnerabilities in IT and command systems
- Base infrastructure modernization programme seen as key to resilience and joint-force readiness
What happened: Venice Goodwine urges urgent IT upgrades to boost air force readiness
Venice Goodwine, Chief Information Officer of the Air Force, is urging faster investment in IT infrastructure. Her goal is to maintain mission readiness amid increasing global threats. She emphasised the urgent need for secure, resilient, and connected systems that can support joint-force operations effectively.
In her statement, Goodwine explained her role in advocating for IT upgrades across Air and Space Force installations. While systems may appear to work fine today, she warned they may not withstand tomorrow’s challenges. Therefore, proactive investment is essential to defend against evolving cyber threats and maintain operational superiority.
A central part of her strategy is the Base Infrastructure Modernisation (BIM) programme. This initiative updates the Department of the Air Force’s network infrastructure, focusing on interoperability and cybersecurity. In August 2024, 23 companies were selected under a $12.5 billion contract to lead this effort. The move reflects the urgency and scale of modernising defence networks to meet mission demands.
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Why it is important
Goodwine’s push underscores a growing concern within the defence community: that outdated or siloed IT systems could compromise national security. As adversaries become more adept at cyber warfare and electronic intrusion, the ability to quickly share, analyse, and secure data across Air and Space Force operations has never been more vital.
Programmes like BIM not only bring updated hardware but also embed cybersecurity protections into their very architecture, standardising risk management across the force. “Strategic readiness hinges on systems that are both interoperable and secure,” Goodwine said.
With tensions high on multiple global fronts, her message is clear: modernising IT is no longer a luxury — it’s a battlefield necessity.
