Recognizing the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) must “use[] data at speed and scale for operational advantage and increased efficiency,” the DoD released its Data Strategy: Unleashing Data to Advance the National Defense Strategy. As stated in the Executive Summary,
The DoD Data Strategy supports the National Defense Strategy and Digital Modernization by providing the overarching vision, focus areas, guiding principles, essential capabilities, and goals necessary to transform the Department into a data-centric enterprise. Success cannot be taken for granted...it is the responsibility of all DoD leaders to treat data as a weapon system and manage, secure, and use data for operational effect. (Emphasis in original)
The eight principles to be applied to Joint All Domain Operations (battlefield), Senior Leader Decision Support (business management), and Business Analytics (data driven decisions) are:
- Data is a Strategic Asset
- Collective Data Stewardship
- Data Ethics
- Data Collection
- Enterprise-Wide Data Access and Availability
- Data for Artificial Intelligence Training
- Data Fit for Purpose
- Design for Compliance
The Strategy further identifies capabilities, goals, and the way ahead for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and DoD-wide teams.