Robert N. McFarland was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on October 15, 2003, and confirmed by the Senate on January 22, 2004.

As Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology (IT), Mr. McFarland serves as the Department’s Chief Information Officer, advising the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters pertaining to IT system’s acquisition and management. He is responsible for overseeing operation of VA’s computer systems and telecommunication networks for medical information, veterans’ benefits payments, life insurance programs and financial management systems.

"The Office of Information and Technology is comprised of the Office of Policies, Plans and Programs; the Office of Information Technology Operations; the Office of Cyber Security; the Office of Enterprise Architecture; and the Austin Automation Center.”

• Integrated business and information technology (IT) planning;
• Security and contingency planning to protect information and privacy across VA systems and networks;
• Reviews to evaluate the performance of IT programs;
• Review and approval of IT acquisitions;
• Facilitation of inter and intra governmental partnerships;
• Educating and informing the Department of IT, initiatives and legislation; and Sharing lessons learned.

OI&T is managed by the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, VA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). In response to recent direction from Congress and the Executive Branch, there is an increased emphasis on CIO involvement in business investment decisions and the ongoing activities associated with high dollar or high visibility projects. Legislation such as the Chief Financial Officers Act and the Government Performance and Results Act provide a businesslike framework for information technology (IT) management and accountability. The Clinger-Cohen Act requires the development of IT budgets that evaluate the risks of major investments over their entire life cycle. It further directs the OI&T to ensure that IT solutions are based on performance and results-oriented management and capital planning practices. Establishment of a CIO program and participation in interagency groups and partnerships is also in response to the Clinger-Cohen Act.