ACS has established a new task force to examine how it can better support technology professionals working across Defence, defence industry and the Australian Defence Force.

The ACS Defence Task Force will look at the needs of people working across one of Australia’s most complex technology environments, including ICT, cyber security, artificial intelligence, intelligence and electronic warfare.

The Department of Defence is one of the Commonwealth Government’s largest users of ICT, with its technology investment spanning command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

Defence also operates large-scale enterprise systems supporting functions including finance, human resources and logistics, as well as advanced capabilities in scientific computing, digital modelling, supercomputing and AI.

Its cyber operations span multiple levels of national security classification.

ACS said the people responsible for developing and operating these systems include Australian public servants, defence-industry contractors and ICT professionals, as well as ADF personnel trained to operate and maintain technology in the field.

The new task force will examine whether ACS membership is providing sufficient value to this community and identify potential actions the organisation could take to better support its members.

ACS president Beau Tydd has appointed Peter Lambert to lead the task force.

Peter Lambert will chair the new ACS committee. Photo: LinkedIn

Lambert spent 28 years in the ADF, primarily in C4ISREW command and staff roles, before spending 17 years as a senior executive service officer in the Defence APS.

During his time in the Defence APS, he worked across Estate and Infrastructure, the Chief Information Officer Group, the Defence Materiel Organisation and Defence Science and Technology Group.

Membership of the task force is open to ACS members working in Defence, defence industry or the ADF.

ACS said members who join will participate in several virtual meetings during the year and contribute to the development of potential initiatives.

Members who do not join the task force can also provide feedback and ideas to Lambert.

The initiative comes as Defence continues to operate and invest in an increasingly broad technology environment, spanning traditional enterprise IT through to AI, advanced computing and cyber capabilities