The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is a worldwide center of excellence for military and public health professions education and research. USUHS’s mission is to train, educate, and prepare uniformed services health professionals, officers, and leaders to directly support the Military Health System (MHS), the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our armed forces. As a center of excellence and leader in military medical education, USUHS is dedicated to advancing public health through education and research.

USUHS’s network and data center were outdated, so they could no longer meet cybersecurity accreditation requirements. Creating a secure, state-of-the-art network environment required remediating 2,500 computer systems and 45 servers for the university and migrating all computer systems and servers to a new domain and hybrid cloud infrastructure—all while providing standard operational IT support to the university without impacting end users.

TIAG conducted in-depth interviews with each clinical department to build an interlaced educational support web of applications, systems, and business processes. Once we completely understood the USUHS environment, we designed a systematic transformation strategy as a project roadmap. This included designing and deploying a new VLAN architecture for the entire network. We then virtualized old legacy systems and consolidated all USUHS servers into a designated network operations center server room. From there, we completed full documentation on the USUHS IM/IT environment, including systems, applications, and mission-critical websites. We designed, implemented, and migrated USUHS’s assets to a new .edu network and hybrid Google cloud environment.

TIAG led the migration of more than 2,500 computer systems, all departmental shared drives, 45 servers, and 5,000 gigabytes of data to a new domain and hybrid cloud infrastructure – all while providing regular operational IT support with no impact to end users. We also offered a more open collaborative environment with teaching universities and organizations and facilitated the hybrid cloud modernization of the USUHS IM/IT environment. At the project’s close, our team was awarded an award for “exceptional project management, technical coordination, business process consultation, and exemplary user support.” 

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) ensures the medical readiness of nearly 130,000 civilian and military personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, enabling them to execute combat operations and humanitarian missions worldwide. Managing the Military Health System (MHS), the DHA delivers healthcare to 9.6 million service members, retirees, and families while advancing medical excellence and system modernization. As part of this effort, the Defense Healthcare Management System (DHMS) modernizes healthcare delivery and enhances data sharing through an advanced electronic health record system. Within DHMS, the Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program strengthens decision-making across the MHS by providing timely, relevant, and actionable data. Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC) leads the Department of Defense’s information warfare capabilities, driving innovation and ensuring a warfighter information advantage. In partnership with NIWC, TIAG supports EIDS by integrating cutting-edge technology and expertise to optimize data-driven solutions and streamline mission-critical processes.

​The MHS Information Platform (MIP), a critical repository managing over 30 years of dispersed healthcare data from more than 35 sources and processing 60 billion records annually, had become increasingly inefficient. The aging data center infrastructure led to costly hardware and software refreshes, escalating security vulnerabilities, and an inability to scale to meet rapid data growth. Recognizing that cloud migration could address scalability, security, and cost challenges, the DHA tasked EIDS with modernizing the data framework and warehouse to facilitate this transition. The objective was to migrate the extensive healthcare data to the cloud while maintaining legacy operations. When the timeline accelerated from a year to mere months, EIDS contracted the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) to drive innovation and expedite the migration process.

“Through this successful government cloud transformation, the team has contributed to the cloud as a fundamental component of the global infrastructure that will empower the warfighter with data and provide improved decision making at the highest levels of the DoD related to the operational readiness of the military forces.” Division director for the Defense Health Information Technology (DHIT) Division’s Health Systems Security Engineering

Working together with other industry partners, we spearheaded the largest data and Cloud migration in DoD history with a groundbreaking and collaborative “Team of Teams” approach referred to as the Accelerated Migration Project (AMP) team that consisted of three NIWC Integrated Product Teams, three DHA divisions, Program Executive Office (PEO) Defense Health Management Systems (DHMS), multiple solutions, and numerous industry partners. Our team brought together a wide range of expertise, including AWS cloud integration, MIP solution architecture, systems engineering, software development and testing, big data management, cybersecurity, communications, and DOD healthcare project management. Together, we delivered a transformative solutions with a strategic and systematic approach that included:

• We took the DHA’s Knowledge eXchange Collaboration Portal (KxCP) application to the next level with a successful proof-of-concept migration to AWS GovCloud. KxCP, a cutting-edge SharePoint-based solution, empowers users to securely collaborate and share essential documents, materials, and guidance with field counterparts. And with forms-based authentication, .mil and .com accessibility, and compatibility with DOD CAC and PIV cards, it’s trusted and utilized around the world by the Army, Navy, USAF, USMC, and the VA. By becoming the first DHA application accredited and deployed in AWS GovCloud under IL4 cybersecurity, KxCP set a new standard for innovation and security.
• AMP stood up the entire MIP data center in AWS GovCloud within just 16 weeks from the official start. We partnered with NIWC, DHA, and other DoD components, as well as AWS Professional Services and external software providers, to create advanced solution architectures for four Virtual Private Cloud’s (VPC’s). These cloud architectures spanned multiple accreditation boundaries and included numerous AWS Security Groups. We collaborated with AWS to set up initial EC2 instances for the MIP pre-production environment and utilized S3 buckets for data storage. To simplify resource provisioning, we developed and deployed CFTs and employed AWS Snowball devices for secure data transfer to AWS-hosted resources.
• In tandem with the AWS GovCloud migration, we transitioned the on-premises infrastructure. This included optimizing and migrating over 60 MIP applications and solutions, compressing data (creating an 85% reduction in storage space) , implementing DHA’s new enterprise Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and Help Desk, revamping Role Based Access Control (RBAC) policies, reengineering business processes, and switching from a CapEx funding model to an OpEx model to reduce costs. The transition and all systems testing happened over weekends and in the background to avoid any disruptions to the MIP user community.
• Migrated all MIP physical servers from the on-prem data center to AWS EC2 instances in GovCloud – resulting in a 61% reduction in our total footprint. This not only eliminated all government-owned and operated hardware and data center real estate, it also saved considerable technical refresh costs for the over 300 on-prem servers scheduled for priority technology refresh. We assisted NIWC and DHA in obtaining approvals for 14 AWS CNS within the DHA AWS ecosystem to support new capabilities and ensure users can utilize next-generation solutions, such as machine learning and natural language processing, to enhance analytics capabilities and ensure semantic interoperability with EHRs.
• Achieved four Rapid Authorization to Operate (ATO) from DHA officials within just four months by creating and organizing technical and cybersecurity materials. Developed secure MIP and MHS PaaS Cloud enclaves with cutting-edge detection and protection tools to ensure hosted solutions operated at the highest security levels – making the MIP Cloud the first DHA product to operate at this heightened security level. We advanced the authentication and authorization processes for MIP and MHS PaaS VPCs and completed planned cybersecurity activities across four VPCs – scanning 100% of assets to identify and mitigate CAT 1 vulnerabilities for environments accredited at IL4.
• Developed and accredited a separate VPC for MHS PaaS – a development platform created exclusively to host critical DHA solutions, including the upgraded Agile Core Services Data Access Layer (ACS DALv3.0). With Red Hat OpenShift containerization, an automated and rigorous DevSecOps integration process, and multiple check gates for quality assurance and quality control – new or revised code can be deployed at record speeds. Powered by an OpenShift enterprise container environment, MHS PaaS provides dynamic scaling, auto-provisioning of resources, continuous monitoring, and protection against cybersecurity threats – all while using trusted software like SharePoint, Visual Studio, and JavaScript to create user-friendly websites and portals.

“The migration was the fastest move of an environment to the cloud in the federal government to date. No previous cloud migration efforts within the federal government have matched the enormous scope, scale, and complexities of the MHS Information Platform migration, making this effort an original pioneering effort in cloud transformation.” NIWC Atlantic AMP team project lead.

The MIP migration was a historic achievement, completing the transition to AWS GovCloud in just 93 days, more than a year ahead of schedule. The migration significantly reduced costs by eliminating reliance on legacy infrastructures while improving operational efficiency. The move to AWS EC2 instances led to a 61% reduction in infrastructure footprint, reducing the need for costly hardware refreshes and freeing up resources for more advanced capabilities. Additionally, by compressing and optimizing data, the team achieved an 85% reduction in storage requirements, ensuring that military healthcare data could be processed and stored more efficiently.

Ensuring a seamless transition was paramount, with over 20,000 users across 100+ military hospitals and clinics. The team provided Amazon Redshift training to over 120 users, developing custom training materials and post-assessment courses to equip military personnel with the knowledge necessary to navigate the new system. Extensive collaboration with global military leadership ensured users had the tools and support to adapt to the modernized platform without disrupting critical healthcare operations.

Security and compliance efforts resulted in a first-of-its-kind cloud environment accredited to operate at the highest levels of DoD cybersecurity standards. The successful accreditation of four Rapid ATOs within four months established MIP as a secure and resilient platform for defense healthcare analytics and decision-making. The transition from a CapEx to an OpEx funding model further optimized operational costs, allowing DHA to invest in next-generation solutions, including natural language processing, semantic analysis, and AI-driven insights.

This transformation has strengthened warfighter readiness by ensuring decision-makers at the highest levels of the DoD have access to real-time, data-driven insights on military forces’ operational readiness. The successful cloud migration of MIP has set a new standard for government cloud transformation, demonstrating how a strategic, coordinated approach can rapidly modernize mission-critical systems without compromising security, compliance, or operational continuity.

The team was nominated for the 2020 DoD Software Innovation Team Award and received the following awards: the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Innovation Award for Business Model or Process; NIWC Atlantic Lightning Bolt Award for Team Excellence; sponsor-funded NIWC Atlantic You Made A Difference Award; FedHealthIT100 Award; and the 2020 G2Xchange Disruptive Tech Award, recognizing federal leaders, innovators, game changers and disruptors who are leading and transforming federal information technology.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is responsible for safeguarding the country’s financial system from illicit use, combating money laundering and its related crimes including terrorism, and promoting national security through the strategic use of financial authorities and the collection, analysis, and dissemination of financial intelligence.

The agency wanted to shift from legacy infrastructure and adopt a modern cloud-based infrastructure that offered a more flexible and cost-effective solution to stand up its Beneficial Ownership (BO) regulatory framework, along with the Beneficial Ownership Secure Systems (BOSS). The new infrastructure needed to comply with the highest Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA High) level, ensuring that only authorized users could access beneficial ownership information.

TIAG developed and implemented a cloud-based solution for BOSS using a multi-phased approach that included determining which strategy to use and creating a road map for application, designing and creating the architecture for the application focusing on the distributed nature of the system, performing trial cloud-native and piloting a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to demonstrate the application’s viability, migrating and porting over needed data, and continuing to improve the cloud application, whether from a product feature perspective or from a performance perspective. Our approach also included:

• Cloud Migration Strategy: TIAG created an agency-specific plan that covered the process and requirements for transitioning data and services from an on-premises environment to a cloud environment. This strategy identified the appropriate services and capabilities to implement from the start, ensuring a secure and efficient cloud environment.
• Data Integrity and Encryption: TIAG ensured data integrity during the transfer by encrypting data and making sure it remained secure when it reached its final storage location.
• Human-Centered Design and DevSecOps Cycle: TIAG employed a human-centered design approach and a dynamic development and engineering DevSecOps cycle to prioritize the design, development, and delivery of capabilities. By building, learning, and iterating on solutions, TIAG helped FinCEN transition and adapt to the new cloud environment.
• Zero Trust Architecture: TIAG provided guidance for FinCEN to securely transition to, deploy, integrate, maintain, and operate cloud services, adopting a zero trust architecture to further enhance security.
• Public-Private Partnership: TIAG established a public-private partnership to promote innovation and the advancement of more secure information technologies, thus strengthening FinCEN’s long-term IT infrastructure.
• Staff Training and Sandbox Environments: TIAG also provided training for staff and users, giving them the opportunity to practice new skills through access to sandbox environments.

I addition to successfully obtaining the Authority to Operate the new FISMA High Government Cloud Environment (FinCloud), our work with FinCEN resulted in:

• Enhanced Security: TIAG migrated the data and BOSS systems/architecture into a FISMA-High Government cloud environment, ensuring the secure collection, storage, and management of BO information.
• Heightened Innovation: FinCEN’s competitive edge and ability to meet digital product demands increased significantly, with robust features and data supported by cloud services.
• Reduced Inefficiencies: Duplicative efforts, inconsistencies, and cost inefficiencies were successfully eliminated and mitigated.
• Streamlined Adoption of Cloud Computing: FinCEN leverages security authorizations on an enterprise-wide scale, resulting in faster adoption of ongoing cloud computing and the accelerated development and scaling of new applications and services, particularly for artificial intelligence and consumer-facing applications.

Bellevue College is a student-centered, comprehensive, and innovative college that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social, and cultural life of its diverse community. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion, and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, academic access to Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems represented a key barrier nationally to workforce development in the Health IT (HIT) sector. Bellevue College was awarded an $11.8 million grant from the Department of Labor (DOL) to lead a geographically dispersed, nine-college consortium in developing and implementing an HIT training curriculum. This grant could enable them to not only develop and pilot new EMR system approaches for academic use, but to create a repeatable process and curriculum that could be replicated nationally.

We deployed our top resources and created on-demand instances of EMR products for each college and course. In addition, we leveraged Amazon Web Services to deliver hosted virtual desktops to simplify the configuration and usage of the EMR legacy “fat-clients” across all student operating systems and devices. We backed up this delivery mechanism with a robust tier 1–3 service desk and a quality control plan designed to be responsive to both faculty and student needs.

By collaborating with the college, we were able to deliver tailored software solutions from the enterprise level down to the desktop level across the consortium of colleges in less than a month.

The U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Deputy Chief of Staff for the Army Recovery Care Program (DCS, ARCP) delivers high-quality, Soldier-centric care, rehabilitation, professional development, personal resilience, and case management to Wounded, Ill, and Injured Soldiers. The Army Warrior Care and Transition System (AWCTS) is an integrated, web-based IM/IT application that allows seamless information sharing between modules for user accessibility. It is the U.S. Army’s singular case management system and is integral to supporting Ill and Wounded Warriors throughout their care and transition back into the force or veteran status.

As the primary case management system for wounded, ill, and injured soldiers, AWCTS faced significant challenges due to its outdated infrastructure. These issues compromised data accuracy, policy compliance, and user accessibility, hindering the ARCP’s mission to deliver high-quality, soldier-centric care and support. The system needed help with data management, making maintaining accurate records and ensuring seamless care transitions challenging. Frequent hardware failures and maintenance issues increased downtime, disrupting services and compromising soldier care. The inability to dynamically allocate resources during periods of heavy use resulted in performance instability and delays in implementing new software releases. Additionally, the user interface could have been more intuitive, making it challenging for case managers and other users to navigate and utilize effectively. These challenges highlighted the urgent need for modernization to support the ARCP’s mission.

ARCP partnered with TIAG to produce a high-quality, robust, reliable, and adaptable soldier-centric case management system with customized development, testing, and training.

Key modernization needs for AWCTS included enhancing its ability to handle complex case management, ensuring stable performance during heavy usage periods, and enabling dynamic resource allocation. Additionally, it was essential to reduce maintenance costs and downtime and allow technical personnel to focus on optimization rather than constant troubleshooting. To address these needs, TIAG implemented a comprehensive solution using Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). The primary objective was to transition AWCTS to the cloud, eliminating the dependency on physical servers. This strategic move allowed for the rapid deployment of development and user preview environments with minimal overhead, significantly improving the system’s flexibility and scalability.

One key advantage of the Azure IaaS implementation was the ability to allocate resources dynamically during periods of heavy use. Adding more CPU or memory as needed, the system maintained stable performance and quickly adapted to special testing requirements. This approach also allowed seamless integration of new software releases without additional hardware, ensuring uninterrupted development activities.

Not being limited to physical hardware allowed us to approach the support for AWCTS creatively. The cloud-based solution reduced device and hardware failures, minimized maintenance time and costs, and allowed technical personnel to focus on optimization efforts. Implementing new software releases and certifying their functionality are seamless and do not impact the development environment or require additional hardware.

By transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure using Azure IaaS, TIAG enhanced system reliability, improved data management, and future-proofed the platform with inherent flexibility and scalability. As the program grows and evolves, so will the technology supporting it. We were also able to significantly reduce device failures, hardware failures, and maintenance time and costs, giving technical personnel more time to focus on optimization efforts. This enhanced the overall performance and reliability of AWCTS and significantly decreased operational costs by providing more dynamic and flexible resource deployment.