Global Information Grid The Global Information Grid ( GIG ) is an all - encompassing communications project of the United States Department of Defense . It is defined as a " globally interconnected , end - to - end set of information capabilities for collecting , processing , storing , disseminating , and managing information on demand to warfighters , policy makers , and support personnel . " The GIG includes owned and leased communications and computing systems and services , software ( including applications ) , data , security services , other associated services , and National Security Systems . Non - GIG IT includes stand - alone , self - contained , or embedded IT that is not , and will not be , connected to the enterprise network . This new definition removes references to the National Security Systems as defined in section 5142 of the Clinger - Cohen Act of 1996 . Further , this new definition removes the references to the GIG providing capabilities from all operating locations ( bases , posts , camps , stations , facilities , mobile platforms , and deployed sites ) . And lastly , this definition removes the part of the definition that discusses the interfaces to coalition , allied , and non - Department of Defense users and systems . The DoD ' s use of the term " GIG " is undergoing changes as the Department deals with new concepts such as Cyberspace Operations , GIG 2 . 0 ( A Joint Staff J6 Initiative ) , and the Department of Defense Information Enterprise ( DIE ) . The GIG is managed by a construct known as NetOps . NetOps is defined as the operational framework consisting of three essential tasks , Situational Awareness ( SA ) , and Command & Control ( C2 ) that the Commander ( CDR ) of US Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) , in coordination with DoD and Global NetOps Community , employs to operate and defend the GIG to ensure information superiority . Defense Information Enterprise . The Department of Defense Information Enterprise is defined as the DoD information resources , assets , and processes required to achieve an information advantage and share information across the Department of Defense and with mission partners . It includes : ( a ) the information itself and the Department ’ s management over the information life cycle ; ( b ) the processes , including risk management , associated with managing information to accomplish the DoD mission and functions ; ( c ) activities related to designing , building , populating , acquiring , managing , operating , protecting , and defending the information enterprise ; and ( d ) related information resources such as personnel , funds , equipment , and IT , including national security systems . Vision . The Network - Centric Warfare ( NCW ) doctrine represents a fundamental shift in military culture , away from powerful compartmentalized war machines and toward interconnected units operating cohesively . The tenets of Network Centric Warfare are : At the enterprise level , forging new paths with whom components of the military communicate will ease logistics burdens , improve communication and combat effectiveness of the war fighter , decrease instances of confusion - related fratricide , accelerate the trend in minimizing collateral damage , and hasten the flow of business . For the warfighter , situational awareness would be improved tremendously by linking what he sees with what an overhead satellite sees . The fog of war would be lifted by seamless communication between unit members , off site detection devices , and commanders operating behind the line . Improved coordination may also assist in delivering appropriate firepower or other tangible assets to first responders during domestic attacks and natural disasters worldwide .