Department of Veterans Affairs Reducing Network Complexity Stephen W. Warren Chief Information Officer Office of Information and Technology Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Networks Conference 2015 Monday, February 23, 2015 McLean, VA
Reducing Network Complexity Topics of Discussion: MyVA Telecoms Telehealth Securing VA Network VA CORE Values: Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy Accessible Quality Innovative Agile Integrated 2
MyVA Vision Vision: Create MyVA that: 1) puts the Veteran in control; 2) measures success by the ultimate outcome for the Veteran; and, 3) integrates across programs and organizations to optimize productivity and efficiency. TODAY FUTURE 3
VA Regional Alignment 4 4
Single Website VA has been considering the way forward regarding digital properties to allow for alignment of resources, and more importantly, to promote a unified Veteran experience and the achievement of MyVA. MyVA Accessibility Transparency Accountability MyVA will help Veterans see us as one Department, and we will be better able to assist them. To learn more about the MyVA initiative, please visit: http://myva.va.gov 5
Flattening VA Network OI&T s current effort to flatten VA s dual-carrier MPLS-enabled network by eliminating the distinction between regional WANs and the core WAN will continue. The goal remains a single common MPLS-enabled wide area network that allows traffic from any VA medical center, regional benefits office, administrative office, data center or other major VA operational location to traverse the WAN in as few hops as possible. This next generation wide area network will also facilitate: (1) improved performance and enhanced end-to-end visibility of enterprise-class application such as VISTA. (2) enhanced bandwidth utilization for network traffic traversing VA s Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) gateways to access servers connected to VA s Business Partner Extranet (BPE). 6
Telecoms Telecommunication provides means for voice communications between VA and Veterans, healthcare partners, business partners, employees, local government entities; telephone answering systems; paging system interfaces in large facilities for locating medical staff and direct management of emergency Code calls for medical life safety and security as well as support of telehealth capabilities. Support voice, data, and video circuits paid to telecommunication vendors; this includes local voice dialing, long distance voice dialing, toll free dialing, calling cards, and mobile wireless communication charges; i.e., the monthly bills for voice telecommunications. 7
Telehealth Improved access to care through telehealth and other virtual services is of particular benefit to rural Veterans, as well as those with chronic conditions and/or impaired mobility. In 2016, funding will support programs that support improved access to care. VA must make use of emerging technologies to increase access to care and more efficiently perform associated services such as appointment scheduling. Connected Health oversees the following programs: My HealtheVet, Web & Mobile Solutions, Telehealth, Veterans Point of Service (including kiosks), and VHA Innovation. Expands the Veteran access to care and allows the Veteran to more efficiently manage their health care. Telehealth services will make the home into the preferred place of care for the Veteran. Telehealth store and forward capabilities will allow data transmission to providers for timely assessment outside of clinic hours. 8
Securing the Network Maintain two operations sites and four Trusted Internet Connection Gateways on a 24x7x365 basis. Protect VA information systems and defend against malicious actions. Enable VA Business lines to protect Veteran information and deliver safe, secure and timely world class services to our Nation s Veterans. Link to latest Monthly Activity Report: 9 http://www.va.gov/about_va/va_notices.asp
Securing Veteran Health Information: Risk Balances Securing Veterans data in an enterprise as large and complex as VA is a dynamic and constantly evolving process that includes contributions from auditors. We endeavor to find the appropriate balance of risk between Information Protection and the delivery of care, services and benefits to our nations Veterans. Defense in Depth Continuous Monitoring Einstein 2 and 3A 100% Device Encryption Secure Access through mobile (Citrix) Problem is Paper Data Breach Core Team VA CORE Values: Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy Accessible Quality Innovative Agile Integrated Working Draft, Pre-Decisional, Deliberative Document Internal VA Use Only 10
Looking for Opportunities?? OI&T s Vendor Management Office helps connect vendors with the right VA experts. Find out about opportunities to do business with VA by contacting VA s OI&T Vendor Management Office Luwanda Jones Executive Director, IT Acquisition Strategy and Facilities Management Luwanda.Jones@va.gov Keep an eye on FedBizOps for opportunities with VA!
Questions? For more information and Fact Sheets please visit www.oit.va.gov VA CORE Values: Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy Accessible Quality Innovative Agile Integrated Working Draft, Pre-Decisional, Deliberative Document Internal VA Use Only 12