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3. SIGNAL Innovation Showcase

SIGNAL Innovation Showcase

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Calling all innovators!

Does your organization have a cutting-edge solution for current issues facing the DoD community? If so, this is your opportunity to get visibility for your ideas!

In an era of increasing requirements and constrained resources, the Department of Defense (DoD) must continue to embrace commercial innovation and the efficiencies it can provide. The Innovation Showcase is an opportunity for companies of all sizes to demonstrate groundbreaking solutions of interest to government and potential industry partners.

The DISA Emerging Technology Directorate is seeking solutions to address emerging or existing challenges. TechNet Cyber participants are encouraged to submit potential solutions for the problem statements below.

Generative AI

Problem Statement: The DoD is in the midst of an AI revolution — with an opportunity to positively impact how we work. Yet, the success of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Generative AI (GenAI), and other data-intensive models are linked to the quality of the data they ingest. The large amount of data that DISA ingests daily leads to fundamental problems with labeling data to train language learning models. DISA is looking for innovative solutions that will allow us to utilize cyber data to train language learning models with the goal of augmenting the capabilities of DISA's analysts by identifying known attacks and potential new zero-day attacks.

Why this is Important: The DoD needs to leverage accelerated data access solutions to establish a continuous data pipeline across global and hybrid data sources to feed AI models and analytics platforms. We need to understand the considerations for deploying future-ready AI programs and utilize AI models to effectively detect cyber log data threats and increase our analysts' capability in defending the DoDIN.

Measure What Matters – Key Performance Indicators

Problem Statement: Leaders and employees are expected to set broad-reaching goals -- but how is the agency measuring performance? How does DISA know if it has accomplished its mission?

Why this is Important: Key Performance Indicators starts with having something to measure first. If you can't measure it, then you can't track it. And if you can't track it, you won't achieve it or will achieve it most inefficiently. DISA must invest in scalable and repeatable tools to help leaders and individuals set objectives and measure key performance indicators to fully understand the agency's IT, program, and project investments.

IT Investment Optimization (Technical and Business)

Problem Statement: Is the DoD/DISA using its invested IT to its full potential?

Why this is Important: With the hundreds of IT vendors that help to power DISA services and internal business operations, it is impossible to know all the terms and conditions of a given service or software. DISA must divest from technology that no longer efficiently and effectively solves the warfighter's problems. The agency must also determine if it currently offers redundant systems or tools that should be removed to simplify operations and reduce costs. DISA requires a detailed insight into its IT investment to measure its effectiveness and extract the best value for mission partners.

Submit your abstract on one of the above topics for a presentation on the exhibit floor and gain the broadest exposure for your solution among government, military, and industry attendees. AFCEA will review the submissions, and the best fit abstracts will be selected for a 20-minute presentation at TechNet Cyber. Additional topics may be added as we receive them.

Important Dates

Abstracts accepted through May 5, 2024.
Submitters notified by May 17, 2024.

What to Expect

Visibility: Title, speaker and abstract will be posted to the SIGNAL Innovation Showcase page on the TechNet Cyber website. Also, session title, description and speaker information will be listed on the website schedule page.

Location: Exhibit Hall, 3300 aisle, Booth 3351, Baltimore Convention Center

Set-up: Designed to encourage interaction and engagement, the space will include a combination of theater style and high-top tables for up to 30 participants. A monitor, laptop and small sound system will be available. Presenters may choose to supply their own laptop. Internet connectivity will not be provided.

Presentation length: Presentation slots are available in 20 minute increments.

Notes:  
1) An administrative fee of $1,295 will be charged, if selected for presentation, to offset operating costs. (There is no cost to submit an abstract)
2) Preference will be given to companies that are sponsoring and/or exhibiting at TechNet Cyber.