b'InsightsAdvancing Mission Success Using Innovation and Technology: Insights from Sanjeev Sonny Bhagowalia, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Information and Technology, and Chief Information Officer, U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionBy Michael J. KeeganThe U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionWhat is the mission of your office and how does it (CBP) protects our nations borderssupport the efforts of CBP? from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, and illegal migration whileCBP has a tremendous 24/7 global mission. In adherence simultaneously facilitating the flow ofwith authorities and the U.S. Department of Homeland lawful travel and trade. Its mission isSecuritys (DHS) mission goals, the OIT works collaboratively vitally important for the protection ofacross DHS agencies to support and accomplish key initiatives the country and the national economy.for cost savings, operational efficiency, and national security. My office supports the CBP mission in a variety of ways, To protect the American people, safeguard our borders, andincluding leveraging the agencys unique authorities, data enhance the nations economic prosperity, CBP dependsholdings, intelligence enterprise, and partnerships. on its ability to navigate through change and anticipate the future while never losing sight of its core mission. Doing soWe increase situational awareness to impede and respond requires investment in innovative technology, reliable IT tools,to illicit cross-border traffic. Were leveraging cutting-edge and intelligence capabilities to anticipate and confront ever- technology to transform traveler verification and dramatically changing dynamics.reduce the need to verify physical travel documents. We integrate classified and sensitive information to improve travel My office, says Sonny Bhagowalia, assistant commissionerand immigration decisions. We also help facilitate lawful of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) and chieftrade and business, while recruiting and training the most information officer at CBP, has been increasingly called onqualified people. Its not an eight-to-five job. to meet the challenges of an ever-changing environment. He recognizes that to be successful his agency requires a resilient, adaptive, reliable, and secure IT infrastructure that keeps pace with evolving threats and technological advances. Sonny joined me on The Business of Government Hour to share his insights on CBPs mission, its strategy for IT modernization, and how the agency is using technology to change the way it does business. The following is an edited excerpt of our discussion, complemented with updated and additional research.28 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'