The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) recently launched a technology incubator – dubbed DISAWERX – to enable the rapid experimentation of new ideas and technologies for novel and innovative solutions to DISA’s most pressing technical challenges.

 

DISAWERX was created through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between DISA’s Emerging Technology Directorate and engineering company KBR. DISAWERX is based out of KBR’s Joint All-Domain Warfighting Lab in Columbia, Md.

 

Balancing security with acquisition practices can decelerate the exploration of new technologies, products, solutions, and the prototyping and experimentation of new business models and approaches to Defense Department challenges. DISA said it must be able to solve problems through quick and meaningful collaborations and rapid prototyping.

 

“DISA has determined that establishing its innovation environment is necessary to pursue and explore the latest solutions to the nation’s cyber threats,” the agency stated in its introduction of the incubator.

 

DISAWERX will enable DISA to work with industry and academic partners in an unclassified environment, where innovators can bring their best ideas and capabilities forward for demonstration, examination, and evaluation.

 

Pentagon participants can also request temporary licenses to test some of the tools through DISAWERX if they see alignment with their teams’ operational needs.

 

In addition, DISAWERX will facilitate Technical Exchange Meetings (TEM) and industry engagement forums, provide on-site unclassified computing and networking environments, provide a sandbox environment for hands-on learning and training, ensure unrestricted access to an on-site resource, and ensure remote access to a virtual environment.

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Lisbeth Perez
Lisbeth Perez
Lisbeth Perez is a MeriTalk Senior Technology Reporter covering the intersection of government and technology.
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