Implications of Big Data for the design, implementation and use of enterprise-level information systems in Defense
While technology rapidly advances and information becomes a strategic asset, Big Data arouses the demand of politicians and military leaders to make use of possible information advantages to allegedly better support the military mission (DOD, 2010). However, the defense sector is still struggling with the implementation of adequate enterprise-level information systems. Therefore, militaries have to assess the necessity of using Big Data within the different business processes, and they have to ensure that the current implementation of enterprise-level information systems remains adaptable and scalable for future business needs.
The amount of data is continuously on the rise due to the rapid growth of mobile devices and applications, smart sensors and devices, cloud computing solutions, and […] portals (“Impact,” 2013). Also, the capability to analyze and to correlate structured with unstructured data will enhance. But militaries must avoid getting distracted from implementing a good information management system that serves current business needs, rather than trying to rapidly dominate Big Data. Instead, the success of todays mission has to gain center stage. Thus, one has to focus on three principles. First: One has to act now but also has to keep in mind that there has to be a transition from information management to Big Date in the future, as Big Data will affect more and more business processes. This means one has to think big, but has to start small. Second, one has to consider the special needs for security and privacy of the defense environment. As a consequence, militaries have to train and educate the enterprise to handle big amounts of data securely. Finally, one to has to analyze, whether the business needs justify a shift towards Big Data in specific business processes. Keeping these principles in mind, the following tasks derive from Big Data for the design, implementation and use of enterprise-level information systems in Defense. During the design phase, the integration into existing or already implemented systems is the main driver. Big Data requires flexible and scalable systems and high performance hardware. Information systems have to be reviewed, whether they still can provide the necessary output. Relational databases may be not efficient enough to handle the requirements to analyze Big Data and have to be replaced. In the design phase, it is crucial to determine, whether to use ready-made or customized solutions. One has to decide, how the data shall be deployed, and which service model delivers the best service at acceptable costs. During implementation, one has to continuously assess existing policies, information systems, and business needs. The alignment of business processes and changed security and privacy requirements may require policy changes and adaption of operational guidelines. While running an enterprise-level information system, a continuous assessment between business’ needs and available data ensures the economically appropriate development of Big Data capabilities for other business processes. The information system then grows together with the requirements of the mission and not with the amount of data.
Militaries are at a tipping point, realizing that information is a strategic asset that can leverage the mission’s success. However, as they are still struggling with the implementation of current enterprise-level information system it needs a scalable and circumspect approach to prevent failure. It is important to explore the options, and militaries must implement new systems where necessary, but they always have to focus on the integration in accordance with the business needs.
References

Impact (2013), The Impact of Big Data on Government, Retrieved from http://www.ironmountain.com/Knowledge-Center/Reference-Library/View-by-Document-Type/White-Papers-Briefs/Sponsored/IDC/The-Impact-of-Big-Data-on-Government.aspx#sthash.30FdUjSF.dpuf
Department of Defense (2012), Department of Defense Information Enterprise Strategic Plan 2010-2012, Retrieved from http://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/DodIESP-r16.pdf