IU’s GlobalNOC strengthens our response to the changing climate

Indiana University's Global Network Operations Center, GlobalNOC, is now receiving $4.25 million annually — a new record — for services as part of its 10-year agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This announcement couldn't come at a better time. Across our world, we see the impact of our changing climate in floods, fires and severe storms that alter landscapes and even claim precious lives. As a leader in research and education technology, IU is uniquely suited with resources like the GlobalNOC to support efforts to predict natural disasters and strengthen our response to them. 

IU's partnership with NOAA advances our understanding of environmental science and weather prediction, helping our communities prepare for the impact of severe weather, improve warnings and save lives. The GlobalNOC keeps thousands of climate researchers, scientists and engineers across the world connected, ensuring a high-speed and secure network that links NOAA’s network, N-Wave, to the data and resources required for severe storm modeling, weather forecasting, and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems. N-Wave supports not only NOAA but also missions across various agencies in the Department of Commerce such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 

NOAA N-Wave Director Robert Sears credits IU's GlobalNOC with creating a world-class network of engineers, systems and application developers, and a team of customer-experience-centric experts to support its critical operations and the NOAA's mission of science, service and stewardship.

The GlobalNOC has also recruited nearly 130 highly skilled, full-time engineers, technicians and IT professionals to IU, many of whom joined the Indiana workforce from outside the state. A hub of advanced computer networking activity, the GlobalNOC has some of the fastest, most cutting-edge networks in existence. With its large talent reservoir, the GlobalNOC supports more than 20 research and education networks and lends this same expertise to other higher education institutions in the state through support of Indiana's high-speed fiber optic I-Light network.

As we respond to our ever-changing world, IU is deepening our connections within the state, nationally and internationally with solutions that will benefit future generations.

Pamela Whitten

President
Indiana University