Defensive Cyber Operations Symposium Focuses on Connect and Protect

Baltimore, May 12, 2017 -- For immediate release

Experts at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) are preparing to share an extensive view of the challenges it faces and how industry can solve them. During 25 theater sessions and eight main stage presentations at AFCEA International’s Defensive Cyber Operations Symposium (DCOS), DISA and Joint Force Headquarters–Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN) leaders will lay out their plans and requirements to ensure U.S. Defense Department networks are adaptive, resilient and effective across a range of uses and against diverse threats. The event takes place June 13-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“DISA and Joint Force Headquarters-DOD Information Networks look forward to participating in the AFCEA Defensive Cyber Operations Symposium every year,” says Lt. Gen. Alan Lynn, USA, director, DISA, and commander, JFHQ-DODIN. “As we look to bring innovation into the department, we rely on venues like this conference to help us start the dialogue with our partners in defense, the federal government, industry and academia that will influence the IT and cyber landscape for decades to come.”

Gen. Lynn kicks off the symposium with his “View from DISA.” The general’s speech will be followed by a panel discussion about how the military and public sectors can partner for cyber innovation. John J. Hickey Jr., DISA cyber development executive, will moderate the panel.

In addition, main stage speakers include Dr. Steven H. Walker, acting director, Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA); Dr. John A. Zangardi, acting chief information officer, U.S. Defense Department; Cameron Chehreh, chief technology officer and vice president, Dell EMC Federal; and Stephen B. Alexander, vice president and chief technology officer, Ciena Corporation.

DCOS theater sessions will revolve around five topics: build, operate, defend, mission partner and cyber education. As part of the Cyber Innovation Pavilion, U.S. Cyber Command Defensive Cyber Operations personnel will provide briefings and be available for informal one-on-one or small group discussions. The pavilion also will be the site of the Cyber Innovation Showcase in which seven innovators, chosen by the AFCEA Technology Committee, will each have 30 minutes to present their solution ideas to DCOS attendees. SIGNAL Magazine Editor-in-Chief Robert K. Ackerman will facilitate the presentations.

Attendees who need to maintain their cybersecurity credentials with continuing education can attend sessions that CompTIA and/or GIAC have reviewed and approved as meeting designated criteria. Also in the continuing education vein, DCOS is the site for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CSA+) mini-boot camp. CSA+ is the organization’s latest security certification. This comprehensive five-hour session, which qualifies as continuing education, will introduce participants to the skills required to configure and use threat-reduction tools and perform data analysis as well as interpret the results. Separate registration is required to attend the mini-boot camp.

Additional DCOS details and registration is available online.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bb93936-7871-45ae-89ea-b7813c5ba1a8

Maryann Lawlor
AFCEA International
(703) 631-6179
[email protected]