Page 99 - Cyber Defense eMagazine August 2023

Passive Optical Networks: A Game Changer

for Now and The Future

By Folden Peterson, Director of the Federal Initiative at Quadrant Four, and John Taglieri,
President of Mission Focused Consulting LLC

The Department of Defense (DoD) faces challenges in meeting network requirements due to evolving
needs, diverse missions, and coordination with other sectors. However, the current network infrastructure
falls short in addressing these challenges. While acquiring more physical infrastructure or optimizing
existing resources may seem like viable solutions, they also come with their own set of challenges. As
an Army communications battalion commander, I experienced the reliance on human touch, tenacity,
and innovation to make the existing technology work for our mission requirements. However, there were
concerns about the interoperability of our systems, the durability of our aging equipment, and whether
these systems aligned with the DoD Software Modernization Strategy from a resilience, unity, and cyber-
survivability standpoint. To ensure that we effectively incorporated these mission facets into practical
terms, my team and I consistently conducted planning meetings to project future budgets.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – August 2023 Edition 99
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