As of 1000L, 19 March 2020 | POC: DoD CIO, Adrienne Blaylock (adrienne.m.blaylock.ctr@mail.mil)

DoD CIO 19 March 2020

COVID-19 Telework Talking Points

Key Messages: 

 The health of DoD military, civilians and contractor personnel is the Secretary of 

Defense’s number one priority as we fight the threat from COVID-19.

 On March 12, OMB signed a memorandum providing civilian personnel policy 

guidance in response to the coronavirus. 

 All federal executive branch departments and agencies, including DoD, are offering 

maximum telework flexibilities to all current telework eligible employees 

consistent with the operational needs of the departments and agencies. The White 

House has also encouraged agencies to offer telework flexibilities to eligible 

workers identified by the CDC as being at higher risk for serious complications.

 DoD is maximizing the use of telework for those employees who are telework ready 

in order to decrease the spread the COVID-19 virus.

 DoD networks are telework ready and capable to fully support the mission critical 

duties performed by the department.

 DoD has expanded the network capacity due to the unprecedented demand for 

telework capabilities.

 Defending DoD networks is a 24/7/365 mission which will never cease. Cyber 

security will remain a top priority.

 DoD personnel are trained annually about cybersecurity threats such as phishing 

and should continue to practice good cyber hygiene while working in the office, or 

teleworking.

"In this unprecedented time for our nation, DoD networks remain fully capable of supporting the 

mission critical duties necessary to execute our missions. We are fully committed to maximizing 

the use of a telework-ready IT environment to ensure the health and welfare of our personnel 

given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As teleworking increases, we are working diligently to 

advance the capability and capacity of our network posture to support the rise in demand. 

Securing and defending DoD networks is a 24/7 mission and cybersecurity will always remain 

a top priority."

The Honorable Dana Deasy, DoD Chief Information Officer
As of 1000L, 19 March 2020 | POC: DoD CIO, Adrienne Blaylock (adrienne.m.blaylock.ctr@mail.mil)

DoD CIO 19 March 2020

Telework Ready Workforce

 The White House provided updated guidance for the National Capital Region on 

telework flexibilities in response to the Coronavirus (OMB Memo 20-15). All 

federal executive branch departments and agencies are asked to offer maximum 

telework flexibilities to all current telework eligible employees consistent with the 

operational needs of the departments and agencies. The White House additionally 

encouraged telework flexibilities to eligible workers identified by the CDC as being 

at higher risk for serious complications (OMB Memo 20-13). 

 The Secretary of Defense has given commanders the authorities they need to make 

necessary decisions to protect their forces. Commanders are empowered to take 

necessary precautions because the COVID-19 is unique to every situation and every 

location. 

 Telecommuting is one of the options commanders have to protect service members 

while still safeguarding and maintaining our ability to defend the nation and its 

interests. There are multiple options to telecommute, including using government 

cell phones, laptops and remote desktop support. 

 We are maximizing the use of remote work for those personnel who are telework 

ready and authorized to work remotely to decrease the spread of infection of 

COVID-19. Additionally, if need be, an agency can mandate that an employee 

telework even if the employee is not on a telework agreement, as part of its 

continuity of operations plan (COOP).

 Telework arrangements for the Pentagon will allow personnel to perform work, 

during any part of regular, paid hours, at an approved alternate worksite (e.g., 

home, alternate site) to focus on mission readiness.

 The DoD networks are ready to support the mission critical duties that need to be 

performed by the Department in a telework-focused environment. 

 Due to the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 response, we continue to review and 

assess our capacity and capability to accommodate teleworking at scale. 

Mitigating Cyber Threats

 Personnel must practice strong cyber hygiene and operational security awareness 

while online to ensure the department networks stay secure.
As of 1000L, 19 March 2020 | POC: DoD CIO, Adrienne Blaylock (adrienne.m.blaylock.ctr@mail.mil)

DoD CIO 19 March 2020

 We have disseminated clear guidance that the same discipline, awareness, and 

security measures required for on-site work must be observed by our personnel 

when working remotely. 

 DoD networks will not be able to stream music or video applications unless it’s for 

mission-critical activities. 

 In addition to our routine cybersecurity activities, we have stood up a Technical 

Capability Task Force comprised of DoD CIO, USCYBERCOM, JFHQ-DODIN, 

NSA, DISA, Joint Staff, and the Military Services continue to focus on the network

readiness of the Department. 

 This Task Force meets daily and is closely monitoring the IT environment across 

the Department and executing cybersecurity measures to ensure the 

confidentiality, integrity and availability of the network for our warfighters.

FAQ-COVID-19 Telework

Q: Is DoD taking additional measures to expand network access to those 

working remotely? 

A: DoD networks are ready to support the mission critical duties performed by the 

department. Due to the current increased remote work demands, the Department will 

eliminate the capability to stream video and music on DoD networks, except for mission 

critical activities. 

Q: Are the DoD networks experiencing problems due to the amount of 

telework? What about the rumors personnel cannot connect well at home?

Is the department looking at alternate commercial-based telework 

solutions?

A: We are in an unprecedented time for our nation. The DoD networks remain fully 

capable of supporting the mission critical duties necessary to execute our missions. We 

continue to diligently advance our capabilities and capacity of our network posture to 

support the demand.

If Pressed: The Department is constantly evaluating the capabilities and 

capacity of our remote work solutions against the unprecedented demands we 

are experiencing. We are engaged with our partners in industry and evaluating 

solutions through a dedicated team to ensure the Department can execute our 

mission without interruption. DoD CIO is leading this engagement.

Q: Although the Pentagon is open, are most employee’s teleworking?
As of 1000L, 19 March 2020 | POC: DoD CIO, Adrienne Blaylock (adrienne.m.blaylock.ctr@mail.mil)

DoD CIO 19 March 2020

A: The Pentagon and other DoD facilities in the National Capital Region will 

remain open and operational, however, the DoD is maximizing the use of remote work 

capabilities for those personnel who are telework authorized and ready in order to 

decrease the spread of infection. DoD is using remote work as a means of social distancing 

while creating separation for those who must be at the Pentagon or other DoD facilities. 

It’s all about accomplishing the mission while protecting the force.

Q: How many Civilians or uniformed officers are teleworking? Are they able 

to remotely access DOD networks via personal devices or only from 

government-issues devices? 

A: The Department will not provide a specific number for teleworking personnel. 

The Secretary of Defense has given commanders the authorities they need to make 

necessary decisions to protect their forces. Commanders are empowered to take necessary 

precautions because the virus is unique to every situation and every location. Teleworking 

is one of the options commanders have to protect service members while still maintaining 

our ability to defend the nation and its interests. There are multiple options to telework, 

including using government cell phones, laptops and remote log-in devices. 

Q: Will DoD missions be impacted by telework?

A: DoD employees with telework agreements are capable of successfully executing 

their missions remotely. DoD networks will remain secure and able to support mass 

telework during COVID-19. Employees who need to be in the office will practice social 

distancing.

Q: Will DoD have the resources to support mass telework for several weeks?

A: The DoD will be able to support mass remote work capabilities for as long as

deemed necessary for the safety of DoD personnel and their families due to 

COVID-19.

Q: What is the Department doing differently to handle the telework issues 

that arise during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A: The DoD CIO stood up a dedicated Technical Capabilities Task Force which 

includes a number of key players: DoD CIO, USCYBERCOM, JFHQ-DODIN, NSA, DISA, 

Joint Staff, and the Military Services This task force meets daily to assess and identify 

solutions to issues that have arisen due to the need for increased telework capabilities and 

capacity.

Q: What steps are being taken to ensure network security? Are VPNs being 

used or other remote access measures? Will additional steps be taken if more 

employees are restricted from entering the Pentagon?

A: Cyber and network security are a key priority for the department. Service 

members are fully trained on information security and best practices, including the 

annual training requirements. Defending DoD networks is a 24/7/365 mission, which will 
As of 1000L, 19 March 2020 | POC: DoD CIO, Adrienne Blaylock (adrienne.m.blaylock.ctr@mail.mil)

DoD CIO 19 March 2020

not cease, even as the Department of Defense's top priority remains the protection and 

welfare of our people.

Q: Where can people find more information about protecting their 

networks?

A: During the pandemic we must remember to practice good handwashing 

hygiene, but also remember our cyber hygiene habits. DoD personnel regularly take 

training about cybersecurity and can read more about online safety here:

https://cyber.mil or https://public.cyber.mil