# NDU and iCollege Host Successful Cyber Beacon III Conference

/ Published July 18, 2016

Washington, DC – On July 13-14, 2016, over 100 government leaders, academics, and private sector executives gathered at the National Defense University (NDU) campus at Fort Lesley J. McNair for Cyber Beacon III.  Keynote speeches by Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Commander U.S. Cyber Command, Director National Security Agency, and Chief Central Security Service; and by Letitia Long, Chairman of the Board, Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and Former Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, were highlights of the event. Cyber Beacon III was coordinated by the Information Resources Management College (IRMC or iCollege) at the National Defense University (NDU).

During his keynote, Admiral Rogers congratulated the participants on coming together as a diverse group to explore the difficult discussions that cyber policy, technology, and education depend upon. The two-day conference met its goal of provoking the development of creative ideas on how we collectively deliver national security in cyberspace. Cyber domain thought leaders confronted existing approaches, and each other, using a cross-discipline lens examining critical issues in policy, operations, and technology.

Day One sessions focused on current and emerging challenges and opportunities in cyberspace, from what constitutes cyber war to the basic assumptions about defense in depth. Day Two discussions centered around innovation and technology, and the impact on how we develop our workforce. Four panels, over 20 expert panelists, and afternoon executive working sessions ensured that all participants had the opportunity to contribute and take home some valuable action items.  

Proceedings from Cyber Beacon III will be published in summary form soon.  Photos from the event can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nduaudiovisual/sets/72157671231116336.  Cyber Beacon IV is tentatively scheduled for September 2017.  This is expected to once again be an invitation-only event.  For consideration, please contact CyberBeacon@ndu.edu with your name, title, and contact information. 

The NDU Information Resources Management College educates and prepares selected military and civilian leaders and advisors to develop and implement cyberspace strategies, and to leverage information and technology to advance national and global security. Although most students are DoD civilians and military members, IRMC also accepts federal agency, private sector, and international students into its graduate programs. Courses are completed on campus and/or online. For more information about the college, visit the website at http://icollege.ndu.edu, or connect with the iCollege on Facebook.    

NDU is a strategic national resource that prepares senior leaders to think and operate effectively at the highest levels in an increasingly dynamic, complex, and unpredictable international security environment. This premier senior leader development is made possible by a holistic approach and unique combination of curriculum, location, and student/faculty diversity. NDU students develop an understanding of the canon of strategic theory, and are able to apply and creatively adapt this knowledge to current and future security challenges. For more information about NDU, contact mark.phillips.civ@ndu.edu or visit www.ndu.edu.