Chapter 2 - P rogramme 1 - Department of Defence

SUBPROGRAMME COMMAND AND
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
Overview
The rapidly changing technological environment has
placed increasing demands on the Command and
Management Information Systems (CMIS) Division
to provide a comprehensive, as well as a singlepoint
service to the DOD. Despite the challenges,
the Division provided satisfactory information-
and computer technology-based solutions and
capabilities as well as support to peacekeeping
operations in Africa. The Division successfully
supported 11 peace support operations and 10 joint
and multinational exercises during the reporting
period, in accordance with the force employment
requirements. CMIS support included the
provisioning of rear link satellite communications,
as well as Information and Communication
Technology and generator maintenance support to
the DOD.
The CMIS Division participated in the following
workshops: African Standby Force, African Union
Computer, Command and Control Information
Systems, Inter-State Defence Security Committees
(ISDSC), Telecommunications and Information
Systems Work Group and SADCBRIG Planning
Element. The Division also enabled the donation,
by South Africa, of high-frequency radios to the
ISDSC’s “Secondary Hotline Network”.
Internally, CMIS Division provided systems support,
with specific reference to Operation INTEXO, and
assisted the Department of Communications during
the International Telecommunication Union’s World
Radio Communications Conference held in Geneva.
The Division also experienced an increase in the
call-up of Reserves as part of building the “One
Force” concept. Reserves were employed in the
DOD registries and the postal services environment,
as well as during exercises and operations where
their standard of training was assessed.
During the past year, the management focus of the
Division was to stabilise the personnel strength at
an affordable level, to optimise the CMIS Division’s
“footprint” and to improve service delivery. In this
regard, the following achievements are of note:
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A Disaster Recovery Plan for the corporate ICT
systems was developed and a simulation exercise
was successfully conducted to test the solution.
| Department of Defence |
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The Division also developed a toolset that
will enable DOD project managers to use the
same information when making decisions,
thus impacting horizontally on all other DOD
projects.
An “ETD Programme” was developed to
inform DOD clients about accredited courses
and seminars in the external environment.
Approval for the continuation of the Electronic
Warfare Technology Research Project was
obtained and it will run for the next two financial
years.
In accordance with the Crime Prevention Plan,
the Division was able to institute measures to
improve security. The CMIS Division, as the
primary custodian of network warfare in the DOD,
completed and submitted the Information System
Security DODI and Joint Defence Publication to
the relevant approval mechanisms.
The migration plan of the CMIS Service Centres to
the South African Air Force, the South African Navy,
Defence Intelligence and the Military Police Agency
was completed. However, the associated funds
are in the process of being shifted as the Minister
approved these shifts (excluding the Military Police)
on 18 April 2008. The final reports were submitted
to the Minister of Defence for approval. Project
DOMINO (CMI force design and structure)
achieved the laid-down milestones. The outcome of
this project will be the alignment of the Division’s
core objectives with the Financial Management
System and the Structural Management Control
System.
Skills development has progressed well during the
reporting period and 1 454 learners received training
at the School of Signals, while 552 short-learning
opportunities were presented by external providers.
Rejuvenation within the CMIS Division has also
made progress, with 136 MSDS members entering
the Division. The 136 members reported to the
School of Signals for their initial course and were
thereafter placed at the various CMIS units.
During the past financial year, the CMIS Division
upgraded its training facilities. This will enhance
the readiness of this capability over time. However,
there were delays in critical projects, including
the infrastructure works at Rooiwal, that affected
performance. The DOD is in discussions with the
Department of Public Works to correct the delays
and ensure all repair and capital projects take place
as planned and budgeted for.
167 Annual Report FY 2007 - 2008
| Chapter 9 - Programme 7: Joint Support |