AFCEA Technet Europe Achieving true Network Enabled Capability – is the challenge technological or human? Gordon McMillan Istanbul 27 May 2010

Were her challenges human or technological?

Network Enabled Capability As clear as mud? “NEC offers decisive advantage through the timely provision and exploitation of information and intelligence to enable effective decision making and agile actions. NEC will be implemented through the coherent and progressive development of defence equipment, software, processes, structures and individual and collective training, underpinned by the development of a secure, robust and extensive network of networks.” * “NEC is about the coherent integration of sensors, decision- makers, weapon systems and support capabilities to achieve the desired effect” * *Source: UK JSP 777 Edn 1

The three dimensions of NEC

Do we have our priorities right? Battlespace Information 2007 Conference, Brussels, March days 45 speakers/presentations, with… …925 slides… …but only 2 speakers focused on human factors. 19 other presenters mentioned ‘human factors’ on 45 slides People – or ‘Human factors’

Selection Education Training Language Culture Doctrine Change … People – or ‘Human factors’ Common understanding Trust Confidence Resourcefulness …

People – or ‘Human factors’ Language “Secure the building”

Resourcefulness People – or ‘Human factors’

Interoperability (non-technical) Interrelationships Interdependence People – or ‘Human factors’ Future warfare - its all about I 3, not C 4 !

People – or ‘Human factors’ Characteristics of successful NEC ‘operators’ An ability to See the big picture Multi-task Deal with complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty Assess and act on risks Understand cultures Conceptualize/synthesize Build trust A willingness to Take the initiative Learn Empower others

Education and training People – or ‘Human factors’

Conclusion My intention today was not to try to answer the question directly, but to provide some food for thought… Clearly the challenges are not only technological and human, but include other factors… However, it is my contention that not enough effort is being put into ‘human factors’ - ours, or the enemies’… …is the challenge technological or human?

Inmarsat’s role in NEC… … is to provide meaningful voice and data communications to disadvantaged platforms and remote and/or highly mobile individuals outside the reach of terrestrial networks.