2026 0610 FI CS Orbus Operationalizing Mission Essential Functions A Practical Modeling Framework

Operationalizing Mission: A Practical Modeling Framework for Crisis Readiness Can your agency still deliver critical services when systems go down? For most federal agencies, Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) exist on paper — but the operational reality underneath them remains invisible. This webinar changes that. Hosted by FedInsider in partnership with George Washington University College of Professional Studies, CaraSoft, and Orbus Software, this session brings together enterprise architecture and federal operations experts to explore how agencies can move from MEFs documented to MEFs deliverable. In this webinar, you'll hear from: Sean Ball – Lead Senior Enterprise Architect, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Gordon Cooper – Chief Field Enterprise Architect, Orbus Software Topics covered include: Why most agencies can't answer "what supports our MEFs?" — and how to fix it Mapping the full dependency chain: business capabilities → applications → infrastructure → data → cybersecurity controls How USDA mapped 26+ mission essential functions to real systems using enterprise architecture Distinguishing mission-critical systems from merely important ones Blind spots that undermine resilience — including shadow IT, technical debt, and poor data governance Setting RTOs and RPOs at the component level through capability-based modeling Connecting COOP and resilience planning to day-to-day operations What executives need in the first hours of a cyber incident The role of digital twins and AI in the future of mission readiness How to prioritize resilience investments when every team says their system is mission-critical Key poll insight from our live audience: When asked how much of their mission their organization could still deliver if a critical system became unavailable — only 22% said "nearly all of it." There's work to do. Whether you're an enterprise architect, CIO, CISO, continuity planner, or federal leader, this conversation offers practical, experience-backed strategies for building a resilient, mission-ready organization.