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- Business process change.
- Use of leading edge information technology.
- A shared information environment.
- Use of international standards.
- A structured management approach.
TASK 7: Defense/International CALS Network
Final DCN/ICN Implementation Plan (January 1997)
The Department of Defense (DoD) Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) Network/International CALS Network (DCN/ICN) is a DoD and international electronic network of CALS interested subscribers and organizations that support the DoD initiated CALS strategy. The CALS strategy is a DoD core strategy to share integrated digital product data through a set of standards to achieve efficiencies in business and operational mission areas. The CALS strategy consists of the following elements:
The DCN/ICN supports the CALS strategy for a shared information environment by providing an electronic collaboration and cooperation infrastructure through the integration of information repositories, electronic mail and collaboration tools, as well as CALS specific search services and other technologies including the World Wide Web (WWW). The DCN/ICN approach leverages the communication network of the world-wide Internet, off-the-shelf computer hardware and software products (commercial, shareware, and freeware) together with a Management Operations Control Center (MOCC) to provide a core capability for information sharing, collaboration, and information retrieval services to individual subscribers and organizations (Government and commercial).
Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows (873 KB)
Final DCN/ICN Service Agreements (December 1996)
The Department of Defense (DoD) Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) Network/International CALS Network (DCN/ICN) will provide CALS specific information services to the DoD and international customers via the Internet. These services include, but are not limited to the services specified in the DCN/ICN Business Plan [DCN/ICN Business Plan, 96] and are enclosed in Appendix A for ease of reference. The DCN/ICN does not provide access to the Internet, allowing individuals and enterprises to secure their Internet access through internal enterprise connections or through Internet access providers of their choice. The DCN/ICN provides CALS specific information content to its subscribers, through information collected and published by the DCN/ICN Management Operations Control Center (MOCC) and through World Wide Web (WWW) links to other information content providers with CALS specific or related information. As part of the DCN/ICN Concept of Operations, the DCN/ICN will offer advertising services to individuals and enterprises who offer CALS specific or CALS related products and services. The model agreements outlined in this document will be the basis of formal agreements between the DCN/ICN, its subscribers, Advertisers, and information content providers.
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C, D, E, & F
Appendix G
Final DCN/ICN Concept of Operations (November 1996)
The Department of Defense (DoD) Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) Network/International CALS Network (DCN/ICN) is a DoD and international electronic network of CALS interested subscribers and organizations that support the DoD initiated CALS strategy.
This Concept of Operations document identifies the purpose, mission need, background, solution, and concept of operations for the DCN/ICN. Three perspectives to this operations concept are presented: a user or subscriber perspective, an information technology perspective, and a management perspective. These perspectives describe the DCN/ICN services from their respective points of view. Two final chapters provide a discussion of the supporting organization and facilities, as well as some preliminary discussion of implementation issues and related costs of operation.
While the DCN/ICN concept leverages the existing world-wide Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) to provide services and CALS specific information content to its customers, it does not provide access to the Internet. Access to the Internet is left as a choice for the individual or organization. Similarly, subscriber software and hardware may be acquired through the subscriber's acquisition organization or optionally, the DCN/ICN shall offer this service.
The DCN/ICN is a collection of cooperating organizations that includes the International CALS Congress as an advisory board; the DoD CALS Network; the International CALS Network; and other national, regional, or alliance networks that exchange CALS information and provide services to their customers.
Appendix A, B, C, & D
Final DCN/ICN Business Plan (October 1996)
As a result of the Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) initiative by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. CALS/Industry Steering Group (ISG) over the past eight years, CALS has become international in scope with ISGs in 14 countries and corporate and individual participation in the several thousands. International interest in CALS has been demonstrated by the growing attendance of international delegations at U.S. CALS Expositions over the past three years and the establishment and attendance of CALS conferences in the Pacific and Europe. In addition, during the past three years, countries and organizations outside of the U.S. have held CALS conferences (e.g., CALS Japan, CALS Korea). This past year CALS International was established as the focal point for CALS activities and issues in the international arena. The CALS International initiative is made up of the CALS International Board of Directors (IBOD) and the International CALS Congress (ICC). The CALS IBOD is the executive board of the CALS International for establishing priorities, providing guidance, and assisting activities of the ICC. The ICC is the operating organ and consists of formally appointed members of recognized CALS organizations.
The need for collaboration and cooperation of the CALS ICC and CALS interested organizations and individuals has extended beyond the capabilities provided by conferences, telephone, and facsimile. The capability to provide such collaboration and cooperation through electronic digital technologies is available over the Internet. This capability may be achieved through the integration of collaborative tools, information repositories, and agent technologies tailored to focus on CALS specific interest areas including acquisition, engineering, manufacturing, test, operations, and support of common systems. The electronic collaboration and cooperation will be implemented as a DoD CALS Network/International CALS Network (DCN/ICN) through the integration of information repositories, electronic mail and collaboration, and CALS specific search services and other technologies.
The DCN/ICN is a collection of cooperating organizations that includes the International CALS Congress as an advisory board, the DoD CALS Network, the International CALS Network, and other national, regional, or alliance networks that exchange CALS information and provides services to their customers.
Security Considerations for the CALS Environment: Final Report (February 28, 1996)
Essential elements of security for the Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) environment are reviewed as they relate to the International CALS Network (ICN), and the general problems of an Integrated Data Environment (IDE), and Electronic Commerce (EC). These elements of security include essential methods for role-based user access and authentication, the use of firewalls, virus-checking software, encryption, and secure servers. These issues are discussed in relation to computer security threats and risks (weak links) posed by sophisticated hackers. Prudent means to maintain security for such a system are reviewed in light of standards and recommendations under consideration as Generally accepted System Security Principles (GSSP) for the Internet, U.S. Defense Information Infrastructure (DII), National Information Infrastructure (NII), and the Global Information Infrastructure (GII), along with consideration of commercially available options and de facto best practices.