Information Technology Group
What is Information Technology (IT) in the framework of the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary?
In most any organization the role of the IT department, whatever it may be called, is to conscientiously select and apply those aspects of the entire range of information technologies that can most be expected to maximize benefits to the organization as a whole, in cost-effective ways.
For the Auxiliary, the same approach applies, although there are the added challenges of dealing with a volunteer staff and membership often exhibiting more volatility in terms of commitment levels and turnover, while operating under significant budgetary constraints.
The particular thrust of the IT Group is to analyze Auxiliary Leadership information needs, at all levels of the organization, and develop targeted mission solutions that can be produced, propagated, and managed with minimal investment and difficulty, while still providing strong, secure environments and systems that can be easily and effectively utilized and maintained.
The role of the IT group in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is to provide the infrastructure, knowledge, skills, and methodologies to collect, manipulate, secure, and present data more efficiently. To accomplish this, the IT group consists of two departments, IT User Services and IT Engineering Services, that provide complementary services while maintaining appropriate checks and balances:
User Services Department (IU)
The mission of the IT User Services Department (IU) is to deliver, maintain, and provide support for Information Services employed to meet the needs of Auxiliary Leaders, its Members and Management at all levels, and their interactions with the general public.
Engineering Department (IE)
The mission of the IT Engineering Department (IE) is primarily involved with the underlying technologies, equipment, and developmental techniques to produce solutions necessary to meeting Auxiliary mission criteria.