On the Frontlines of a Simulated DoD Environment
Qlik’s lessons learned from developing systems in a locked-down military-grade data zone at the 2025 NDIA Hackathon
In early September, developers from across the country arrive at George Mason University’s Fuse facility with laptops, notebooks, and one big unknown: how do you build a defense-grade analytics solution in just 72 hours in a simulated air-gap environment.
The National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) inaugural hackathon presents a unique challenge. The event brings together over 50 teams from industry and academia, tasking them with solving real Department of Defense (DoD) challenges inside a simulated, air-gapped environment with no shortcuts. Every dataset—even public ones—must be requested, approved, and cataloged before use. For Qlik, this environment isn’t a stretch, since the platform is already designed for secure federal environments with FedRAMP authorization and support for DoD Impact Level 4 deployments, where controls like these are standard.
Delays are part of the event design, making this the DoD playbook rendered in real time.
A Controlled Environment With Real-World Stakes
For the Qlik team, the hackathon is a proving ground for “the art of the possible.” The event replicates many of the same hurdles federal leaders face every day, such as data friction, security requirements, and time pressure. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate how fast, flexible data tools deliver results even when the rules are tight and the clock is ticking.
The Qlik team brings together an expert mix of technical depth and domain expertise. Jim Penn sets the foundation by preparing and structuring the data while also helping guide the overall product flow and security story. John Park works alongside him on data preparation, then pivots to build a web application and an automated situation report (SITREP) capability, giving commanders rapid, decision-ready updates. Danny Langley focuses on visualization and the core Qlik product, ensuring decision-ready insights come to life. Jeff Dodson layers in NOAA weather feeds and AI-driven analysis to highlight real-world urgency. To ground the work in defense priorities, Patrick Fulton—a former DoD contractor and subject matter expert—shapes the mission narrative to ensure the solution aligns with how military leaders think.
With Fulton’s guidance and the team’s diverse experience, the project shifts from showcasing features to focusing on the mission: helping defense leaders quickly identify emerging threats, trace their causes, and take action. The event shows how public data immediately supports mission decisions when used effectively. With the right tools, even fragmented inputs become clear and actionable.
From Public Data to Mission Insight
The final product blends federal budget data, storm tracking feeds from NOAA, and public cybersecurity threat information to create a real-time view of vulnerabilities across the defense industrial base. Users can quickly identify potential threats, analyze supply chain vulnerabilities, and integrate multiple data sources for comprehensive insights. One judge, visibly struck by the demo, pulls the team aside afterward and says, “They need this in Ukraine—yesterday.”
Today, hackathon solutions like this lay the foundation for future opportunities, not just for the DoD but across government. The problems may vary—from natural disasters and infrastructure threats to cyber vulnerabilities and mission readiness—but the need is universal. Agencies must detect disruptions early, trace their causes across systems and regions, and respond with resources that are targeted, timely, and effective.
That’s not just a defense challenge. It’s a federal challenge.