THE FUTURE IS NOW

10 Year Anniversary

October 19 & 20, 2023
WELCOME TO THE 10th ANNUAL CYBER BEACON CONFERENCE !

To capitalize on efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI) and generate discussion, the planners for National 

Defense University College of Information and Cyberspace used eight generative AI tools to develop the 

conference agenda. This agenda demonstrates both the strengths and weaknesses of generative AI and 

recognizes the amazing advances in such a short amount of time. Join us October 19th and 20th for the 

10th Annual Cyber Beacon! 

The quickly evolving technology in the digital age is having a major impact on modern warfare. 

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated, and could can have a devastating 

impact on critical infrastructure and military operations.

Here are some of the ways that quickly evolving technology is impacting modern warfare:

• Cyberwarfare: Cyberwarfare is the use of computer networks to attack an enemy's critical 

infrastructure or military systems. Cyberwarfare can be used to disrupt communications, disable power 

grids, or even launch attacks on military targets.

• The use of artificial intelligence (AI): AI is being used to develop new weapons and systems that are 

more powerful, more accurate, and more autonomous than ever before. AI is also being used to 

automate tasks, such as target identification and decision-making.

• The use of big data: Big data is being used to collect and analyze information about the enemy, the 

battlefield, and the weather. This information can be used to make better decisions and to develop 

more effective strategies.

These are just a few of the ways that quickly evolving technology is impacting modern warfare. The digital 

age is changing the way wars are fought, and it is important for militaries to adapt to these changes to stay 

ahead of the curve.

- Generated by Bard

10 Year Anniversary
THE AGENDA
October

19Thursday 20Friday

9:30 – 9:45 Opening Remarks

9:45 – 10:15

10:15 - 11:15

11:15 - 12:15

12:15 - 1:00

1:00 - 2:00

2:00 – 3:00

3:00 - 3:15

3:15 – 4:15

4:15-4:45

5:00-7:30

Fireside Chat

AI & National Security 

Strategy

Future of the Cyber 

Workforce

Lunch

Zero Trust, AI & 

Machine Learning

Future of Critical 

Infrastructure Protection

Break

Big Data & National 

Defense

Virtual Fireside Chat

Reception for All Attendees, 

in Honor of CIC Alumni

Technology Security – AI, Workforce, Zero 

Trust, Data, Critical Infrastructure

Technology Security – Emerging 

Technologies, Joint Warfighter

9:00 - 9:30 Opening Remarks

9:30 - 10:15

10:15 – 11:15

11:15 – 12:15

Keynote

Joint Warfighter & 

Cyberspace Operations: 

U.S. Military 

Responsibilities, 

Authorities & 

Capabilities in Cyber 

Warfare

Emerging Technology 

& National Security 

Interests

Closing Remarks & AI 

Poster Awards

12:15 – 12:30

10 Year Anniversary

4:45-5:00 Closing Remarks
OCTOBER 19th

Day 1
OPENING REMARKS 

by

Dr. Cassandra C. Lewis, Chancellor, College of Information and Cyberspace, 

National Defense University

Dr. Cassandra C. Lewis is the Chancellor, and former Dean of Faculty and 

Academic Programs, at the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), 

National Defense University (NDU). She serves as the principal advisor to the 

NDU President and Provost on curriculum and academic programs related to 

cyberspace and information. As a member of NDU’s senior leadership 

executive council, Dr. Lewis is instrumental in strategic planning and 

coordination of University initiatives. Dr. Lewis is the chief administrator of 

CIC’s academic programs, with responsibility for financial, facilities, and 

personnel management. She maintains relationships with partner NDU 

components, U.S. government agencies, the private sector, international 

allies and Department of Defense and civilian educational institutions and 

universities and has engaged in international capacity building on the behalf 

of the University.

Under her leadership CIC’s academic programs and curricula continue to be rigorous, relevant, and of high 

quality, to effectively fulfill its mission; and the College continues to be recognized as an institution of choice 

for education, scholarship, and thought leadership in cyber and information. Her track record and 

involvement in government, academia, industry, and the non-profit sector reflect her commitment to leader 

development, educational innovation, and building an inclusive and resilient workforce. Her research and 

teaching portfolios span a range of fields including: the politics of education; online teaching practices; 

access and equity in higher education; national security and cyber workforce policy and strategy; cyber 

leader development; and storytelling for organizational and personal change.

Dr. Lewis is a community-minded educator dedicated to advancing opportunities for underserved women 

and K-16 students both locally and abroad. She has a particular passion for fostering transformational 

leadership and advancing careers in STEM.

Dr. Lewis holds a Bachelor’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences/International Studies from the 

State University of New York at Buffalo; Master’s degree in Higher Education from Boston College; a Ph.D. in 

Education Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park; and a Certificate in Executive Leadership 

Coaching from Georgetown University.

10 Year Anniversary
FIRESIDE CHAT

with

Admiral (Ret) Mike Rogers, Brunswick Group

Major Titus Lowell was born and raised in the rural farming town of 

Mattawa, Washington. He graduated from Whitworth University with a 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics in 2001. He 

received his commission in 2007 with the United States Marine Corps under 

a Naval Flight Officer contract. After flight school, he was designated an EA6b Prowler Electronic Countermeasures Officer and logged over 1100 hours 

in the EA-6b flying missions in Operations UNIFIED PROTECTOR, ENDURING 

FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. After the retirement of the EA-6b, 

Major Lowell was redesignated as a Cyberspace Operations Officer.

Michael S. Rogers is a retired four-star admiral of the United States Navy. 

Rogers served as the second commander of the United States Cyber 

Command (USCYBERCOM) from April 2014 to May 2018 while concurrently 

serving as the 17th director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and as 

chief of the Central Security Service (CSS). During his tenure, he helped 

transform and elevate U.S. Cyber Command into a unified combatant 

command. Rogers relinquished command to General Paul M. Nakasone on 

May 4, 2018 and retired from the Navy a few weeks later on June 1, 2018.

Prior to 2014, Rogers served as the Commander of the Tenth Fleet and 

Commander of the United States Fleet Cyber Command, with responsibility 

for all of the Navy's cyberwarfare efforts. In 2009, he was the director of 

intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff after having been the director of 

intelligence for Pacific Command from 2007 onwards.

MODERATED 

by

Major Titus Lowell, (USMC), Student, Cyber Leader Professional 

Development Program, College of Information and Cyberspace, National 

Defense University

10 Year Anniversary
FIRST PANEL

AI & National Security Strategy

Abstract 1: Emerging technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and critical infrastructure,

have a profound impact on society, U.S. national security, and the international environment

among nations/societies. These technologies shape national security strategies, fuel global

competition, and have implications for military capabilities and the balance of power. It is crucial

for nations to stay ahead in these areas to ensure their security and economic prosperity.

Abstract 2: The 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy aims for a reinvigoration of federal

research and development for cybersecurity to maintain resilience in the way of artificial

intelligence among other areas across departments and agencies. The establishment of national

laboratories and federally funded research centers will assist, but it is unclear how each federal

organization will collaborate, and implement plans for the development of artificial intelligence.

(10:15 - 11:15)

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Moderator

Panelists

John Bansemer, Director, Cyber AI Project, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), 

Georgetown University

Caroline Boyd, Principal, Government Programs, Meritalk

Dr. Melissa Thomas, Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University

Caroline Boyd is the former Assistant Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving under 

Governor James S. Gilmore, III. She currently is the Principal of Government Programs for MeriTalk and 300Brand 

companies. Having served as a senior technology leader in government, Boyd understands what makes government 

executives tick. She manages government participation across MeriTalk programs and guides client-focused events.

Previously, Boyd served as the General Manager of the GovMark Council, a not-for-profit organization that facilitates 

education and networking for senior-level marketing executives serving the government IT market – both inside 

government and out. In addition, she has held positions with CES Government, webMethods, and the 

Commonwealth of Virginia. During her appointment as Assistant Secretary of Technology, Boyd worked closely with 

the Secretary of Technology and the Virginia General Assembly in the statutory creation of the Office of the 

Secretary of Technology. Boyd produced four Governor’s Commission on Information Technology conferences, and

was integral in the organization of two national meetings of the Congressional Advisory Commission on ECommerce.

Boyd served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology until 2002. She was 

appointed the Executive Director of the Virginia eCommunities Task Force from 2000-2002. Before serving the 

Commonwealth of Virginia, Boyd worked in the Government Relations Division of Sprint Corporation in Washington, 

DC.

Melissa Thomas is a professor at the College of Information and Cyberspace at the National Defense University. 

She holds a BA in computer and information science from UC Santa Cruz, a JD from UC Berkely, and a PhD in 

political economy and government from Harvard University. Previously, as a subject matter expert in governance, 

she worked with donors and partner low-income country governments, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, 

participating in negotiations, providing support, and conducting mixed methods and computational research. She 

has held academic positions at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins 

University; the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies; and the Air Force Cyber College. Her work has 

appeared in leading academic and policy outlets, including Foreign Affairs, International Affairs, Defense Studies, 

Columbia University Press, and Oxford University Press. Her current research interests are cyber strategy, hacking, 

and artificial intelligence.

John Bansemer is the Director of the CyberAI Project and Senior Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and 

Emerging Technology (CSET). In addition to his work at CSET, he is an adjunct professor at Georgetown 

University’s School of Foreign Service. Prior to joining CSET, John served in a variety of cyber, space and 

intelligence positions within the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a Lieutenant General. His last role was serving as 

the Assistant Director for National Intelligence, Partner Engagement, within the Office of the Director of National 

Intelligence. Prior to that assignment, he served as the Deputy Chief, Central Security Service, at the National 

Security Agency. He also held a variety of staff positions including on the Air Staff and the National Security 

Council staff. His joint experience includes serving as the director of intelligence at European Command. John 

holds a master’s degree in computer science from James Madison University and was a national defense fellow at 

Harvard University.

10 Year Anniversary
Lt Col Joseph Chapa, (USAF), Chief Responsible AI Ethics Officer, Department of the Air 

Force

Chuck Brooks, President and Consultant of Brooks Consulting; Adjunct Professor at 

Georgetown University

Chuck Brooks is President and Consultant of Brooks Consulting International with over 25 years of experience in 

cybersecurity, emerging technologies, marketing, business development, and government relations. Chuck also 

serves as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, teaching graduate courses on risk management, 

homeland security, and cybersecurity.

Chuck has received presidential appointments for executive service by two U.S. Presidents, and served as the first 

Director of Legislative Affairs at the DHS Science & Technology Directorate. He has also served in executive roles 

for companies such as General Dynamics, Rapiscan, and Xerox. He has been named "Cybersecurity Person of the 

Year" by Cyber Express, Cybersecurity Marketer of the Year, a Top Cybersecurity SME to Follow, and a "Top 5 Tech 

Person to Follow" by LinkedIn.

As a thought leader, blogger, and event speaker, he has briefed the G20 on energy cybersecurity, The US Embassy 

to the Holy See and Vatican on global cybersecurity cooperation. He has served on two National Academy of 

Science Advisory groups, including one on digitalizing the USAF, and another on securing BioTech. He has also 

addressed USTRANSCOM on cybersecurity and serves on an industry/government Working group for CISA focused 

on security space systems. 

Chuck's clients have included leading companies such as AT&T, IBM, Intel, Rockwell Automation, Ivanti, 

Blackberry/Cylance, Serco, Xerox, Juniper Networks, Netscout, and General Dynamics, He is also a contributor to 

Forbes, The Washington Post, Dark Reading, Homeland Security Today, Skytop Media, GovCon, Barrons, The Hill, 

and Federal Times on cybersecurity and emerging technology topics. He has 108,000 followers on LinkedIn and 

61,000 subscribers to his newsletter "Security and Tech Insights.“

Chuck has an MA from the University of Chicago, a BA from DePauw University, and a certificate in International 

Law from The Hague Academy of International Law. 

10 Year Anniversary

Joseph Chapa is an officer in the U.S. Air Force and holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University 

of Oxford. His areas of expertise include just war theory, military ethics, and especially the ethics of 

remote weapons and the ethics of artificial intelligence. He is a senior pilot with more than 1,400 pilot 

and instructor pilot hours. He currently serves as the Department of the Air Force’s first Chief 

Responsible AI Ethics Officer and the DoD’s liaison to the Special Competitive Studies Project. His book, 

Is Remote Warfare Moral? was published in July, 2022.
SECOND PANEL

Future of Cyber Workforce

Abstract 1: The future of the digital workforce is incredibly exciting, especially for CIOs and 

professionals in the cyber field. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, 

the role of the workforce is also evolving. Traditional jobs are being replaced by digital 

counterparts, and this shift is creating new opportunities and challenges for businesses and 

individuals alike. In the US, the digital workforce is set to become the driving force behind the 

economy. With the increasing reliance on technology and automation, businesses are 

recognizing the need to invest in skilled professionals who can navigate the digital landscape. 

CIOs are at the forefront of this transformation, leading their organizations in adopting new 

technologies and harnessing the power of data. The future of work will be heavily influenced by 

digital technologies. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to robotics and blockchain, 

these innovations will reshape industries across the board. The digital workforce will play a 

crucial role in leveraging these technologies to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth. 

Moreover, the digital workforce is not limited to a specific sector or industry. It spans across 

various fields, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and education. This means that 

professionals with digital skills will have endless opportunities to contribute to different sectors 

and make a significant impact.

Abstract 2: The ability to maintain optimal, modern organizations depends on securing 

cyberspace as described in the 2022 National Security Strategy. The U.S. should determine ways 

to strengthen norms to mitigate cyber threats, which may involve new and different types of 

partnerships between government agencies, private industry and partner nations to deny 

criminal sanctuary. The 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy describes the U.S. as having an 

opportunity to restructure incentives for establishing a resilient foundation for building a better 

future digital ecosystem. President Biden’s elevation of leadership on Cybersecurity through the 

creation of the National Cyber Director is evidence of the urgency and level of commitment 

required to counter events such as SolarWinds Orion and other malicious cyber activities. Given 

the actions of the U.S. Government and the state of play vis-a-vis Russia and China relations, the 

future development of the cyber workforce is critical. 

(11:15 - 12:15)

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Moderator

Panelists

John Curran, Executive Editor, Meritalk

Steven Hernandez, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Department of Education

David Harvey, Professor of Practice, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University

10 Year Anniversary

John Curran is Executive Editor at MeriTalk, where he leads the news reporting staff in providing daily coverage of 

the technologies, policies and programs that matter most to Federal CIOs and the agencies they serve. He was 

managing editor at Telecommunications Reports, and before that ran news operations at Dow Jones and reported 

for Reuters.

Mr. Harvey has nearly 30 years of audit and finacial management experience in the federal sector. Prior to joining 

the faculty of the College of Information and Cyberspace in October 2018, Mr. Harvey served as the Chief Audit 

Executive leading the internal audit function at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, where he 

reported to the agency’s Board and its Executive Director as part of Thrift Savings Plan oversight. In that role, he 

oversaw the annual audit of information security controls under the Federal Information Security Management Act 

(FISMA), cyber-penetration testing and follow-up, and other reviews. Mr. Harvey also served as the Deputy 

Director of the Corporate Controls and Reviews Department at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, where 

he oversaw documenting and testing of financial reporting, NIST 800-53, and entity-wide governance controls; 

performing entity-wide, business process, and improper payment risk assessments; and remediating Office of 

Inspector General and Government Accountability Office recommendations. Mr. Harvey started his career as an 

auditor with the Defense Contract Audit Agency. His teaching experience includes serving on the adjunct faculty of 

American University and Northern Virginia Community College as well as developing and presenting continuing 

professional education seminars.

Mr. Harvey has nearly 30 years of audit and finacial management experience in the federal sector. Prior to joining 

the faculty of the College of Information and Cyberspace in October 2018, Mr. Harvey served as the Chief Audit 

Executive leading the internal audit function at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, where he 

reported to the agency’s Board and its Executive Director as part of Thrift Savings Plan oversight. In that role, he 

oversaw the annual audit of information security controls under the Federal Information Security Management Act 

(FISMA), cyber-penetration testing and follow-up, and other reviews. Mr. Harvey also served as the Deputy 

Director of the Corporate Controls and Reviews Department at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, where 

he oversaw documenting and testing of financial reporting, NIST 800-53, and entity-wide governance controls; 

performing entity-wide, business process, and improper payment risk assessments; and remediating Office of 

Inspector General and Government Accountability Office recommendations. Mr. Harvey started his career as an 

auditor with the Defense Contract Audit Agency. His teaching experience includes serving on the adjunct faculty of 

American University and Northern Virginia Community College as well as developing and presenting continuing 

professional education seminars.

Steven Hernandez is an information assurance expert serving the past twenty years in a variety of 

contexts and missions. He has worked on the front lines in operations centers and led research teams 

attempting to balance security, privacy, and mission delivery considerations. Transforming risk 

management in international manufacturing, healthcare, non-profits, and governments at the federal, 

state, and local levels is extensive through his professional portfolio. Leading tactical, day-to-day security 

operations as well as guiding and influencing broad security initiatives such as the US government's 

FedRAMP program across large organizations with international presence are areas he’s frequently called 

upon to support. Presently he is the Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Information 

Assurance Services at the U.S. Department of Education. Steven also serves as the co-chair of the US 

Government Federal CISO Council and government chair of the ACT-IAC Cybersecurity Community of 

Interest. Prior to his position at Education, he held a variety of roles at the Office of Inspector General, US 

Department of Education including CTO, CIO, CISO, Senior Official for Privacy and Chief Services 

Engineering Officer. He is an inaugural member of the United States Scholarship of Service Hall of Fame. 

He served on the Board of Directors for the International Information Systems Security Consortium (ISC)2, 

served on the U.S. (ISC)2 Government Advisory Board for Cybersecurity (GAB), judged for the 

Government Information Security Leadership Awards (GISLA) and contributed to its Executive Writers 

Bureau. Mr. Hernandez is the lead author and editor of the third edition of the (ISC)2 Official Guide to the 

CISSP CBK, the (ISC)2 Official Guide to the HCISPP CBK, and several published works regarding 

international information assurance.
Dr. Tiina K.O. Rodrigue, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Burau of Consumer 

Financial Protection (CFPB)

10 Year Anniversary

Tiina K.O. Rodrigue is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection 

(CFPB). Tiina uses her more than 25 years of experience to guide teams to design, develop, and implement secure 

business applications in the cloud. Her technical solution, full-lifecycle experience begins during the development 

process, includes secure technology selection, security architecture, and implementation methodology through 

continuously improved production in the cloud. As CISO, she leads the Bureau to solutions, optimizations, and wellmanaged operations to federal standards, leveraging best in class capabilities and practices for scalability and 

flexibility.

Previously, Tiina was the Director, Technology and Cybersecurity Services at MAXIMUS Federal Information 

Technology (MFIT). Federally, she also served as the Senior Advisor-Cybersecurity, Office of the Chief Information 

Security Officer (CISO), in the Technology Office (TO) of Federal Student Aid (FSA), U.S. Department of Education 

(ED) in Washington, DC. In her role as Senior Advisor at FSA, she championed FSA and ED’s interdepartmental 

cybersecurity efforts with government entities such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department 

of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of State. She led departmental security activities with institutions of 

higher education (IHEs), financial lenders, guaranty agencies, and private collection agencies to establish an 

industry-wide professionalized cyber workforce, gather meaningful metrics, and create ground-truth security. 

Additionally, Ms. Rodrigue was the Program Director, Professional Services at CipherCloud (San Jose, CA), a SiliconValley-based Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) start-up where she supervised concurrent teams globally 

deploying a policy-based, on the fly encryption product in federal, financial and health-care environments for data 

protection in clouds such as Salesforce, O365, Box, Adobe, Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google, and Dropbox.

Tiina served as the CISO for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS). During her tenure at DHS she was promoted to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at USCIS, 

bridging the technology concerns of security, infrastructure, change, architecture and capability management. 

Seeyew Mo, Assistant National Cyber Director for Cyber Workforce, Training and Education at 

the Office of National Cyber Director (ONCD) 

Mr. Seeyew Mo serves as the Assistant National Cyber Director for Cyber Workforce, Training and Education at 

the Office of National Cyber Director (ONCD). In his role, Seeyew leads and supports the creation and 

implementation of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy. He believes in taking a holistic view –

doctrine, people, and technology – to making advancements in cyber workforce and digital safety awareness. He 

is an expert in the intersection of cybersecurity, technology, and national security with 18 years of experience 

that spans tech development, policymaking, and political campaigning.
10 Year Anniversary

Brian Epley, Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer (PDCIO), Department of Energy

Brian Epley currently serves as Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the U.S. Department of Energy, 

where he leads day-to-day operations within the Office of the CIO and assists the CIO in the formation of the 

office’s strategic direction for the protection and modernization of IT, cybersecurity, and data usage across 

the DOE enterprise to achieve the Department’s business goals. Brian joins the Department from 

the Environmental Protection Agency, where he served for nearly 7 years in leadership roles including Principal 

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Administration and Resources Management; Deputy CIO and Director of the 

Office of Information Technology Operations, and Chief Technology Officer for the Office of Environmental 

Information.

Brian is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years’ experience across public and private sectors. 

Throughout his career he has distinguished himself as an innovative change leader with the unique ability to 

deliver strategically aligned and value-add services. Prior government roles include Homeland Security 

Presidential Directive-12 Technical Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and 

Technology and IT Services Director and Chief Information Security Officer for the Virginia Information 

Technologies Agency. Brian also held various leadership roles in the private sector at the Computer Science 

Company, Northrop Grumman, and as the founding President of Inter Solve-IT focused on enterprise 

transformation, research and development, IT, and enterprise operations.

Brian served on the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Society Board of Directors and Virginia 

State University IT Advisory Council Board of Directors. Brian received the Department of Veterans Affairs honor 

award for, “Getting to Green” on the President’s Management Agenda of Human Capital and the “Top 40 Under 

40 Award” for service in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Brian holds a Master of Business Administration degree, 

International Business and a Bachelor of Science degree, Management Information Systems; both from the 

Virginia Commonwealth University. Brian was also selected and worked as a Ph.D. candidate, Information 

Security Assurance at George Mason University’s Volgenau School of Engineering and Computing.
THIRD PANEL

Zero Trust, AI & Machine Learning

Abstract 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Zero Trust and automation are three important concepts in 

the field of cybersecurity. Zero Trust is a security model that requires strict identity verification 

for every person and device trying to access resources on a network. AI and automation can be 

used to strengthen Zero Trust by ensuring speedy investigations and remediation routines are 

established and working. This can then provide organizations with 24/7 protection at speed and 

scale. 

Abstract 2: The move to Zero Trust has been a significant shift from the historic perimeter-based 

approach to cybersecurity. The transition to Zero Trust was initiated under EO 14028 on 

Strengthening Cybersecurity and OMB later released the Federal Zero Trust Strategy. 

Automation and visibility are essential elements of zero trust. AI is quickly developing and adding 

capacity to ZT. 

(1:00 – 2:00)

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Moderator

Panelists

Jason Miller, Executive Editor, Federal News Network 

Dr. Amy Hamilton, Visiting Faculty Chair, Department of Energy, College of Information and 

Cyberspace, National Defense University

Randy Resnick, Director, Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office, Department of Defense

Amy S. Hamilton, Ph.D. is the Visiting Faculty Chair from the Department of Energy to the Department of Defense 

(DOD) National Defense University (NDU) College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC). She has served for the past 

three years as the Senior Advisor for National Cybersecurity Policy and Programs at the Department of Energy. She 

spent two years as a senior cyber security policy analyst at the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office 

of the President. She served in the Michigan Army National Guard as a communications specialist and was 

commissioned into the U.S. Army Officer Signal Corp, serving on Active Duty and later the U.S. Army Reserves. She 

has worked at both the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Northern Command & North American Aerospace 

Defense Command (NORAD) on multiple communications and IT projects.

She became a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute in 2007 and 

earned her Certified Information Security Manager certification in 2011. She presented on the “The Secret to Life 

from a PMP” at TEDxStuttgart in September 2016. She taught Project Management Tools at Colorado Technical 

University and was a facilitator for the Master’s Degree Program in Project Management for Boston University. She 

is an award-winning public speaker and has presented in over twenty countries on overcoming adversity, reaching 

your dreams, cyber security, and project management.

Mr. Randy Resnick serves as the Director of the newly established Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office within 

DoD CIO/CS. Mr. Resnick joins us from the National Security Agency (NSA) with over 34 years of experience in 

offense and defense cybersecurity. In his most recent assignment, Mr. Resnick served as NSA’s Zero Trust Strategic 

Lead. In that role, Mr. Resnick successfully led and executed numerous ZT activities at the tactical, operational, and 

strategic levels and also provided NSA leadership during the successful ZT POM 23-27 Issue Paper process. His 

leadership and technical direction led to the development of the first DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture, the 

first NSS Zero Trust Reference Architecture, DoD’s ZT maturity model, DoD’s initial strategy for Zero Trust and the 

construction of two Zero Trust Innovation testbed labs in collaboration with DISA and USCC. Prior to serving as 

NSA’s Zero Trust Strategic Lead, Mr. Resnick held positions as their Cybersecurity Innovations Director for the NSA 

Cybersecurity Directorate, served as Chief of NSA’s Red Team, and served as the Deputy Mission Manager for 

NC2/NC3/NLCC missions.

As the Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office Director, Mr. Resnick’s focus will be to provide strategic guidance, 

direct alignment of DoD ZT efforts, and prioritize resources to accelerate Zero Trust adoption across the DoD 

Enterprise while strengthening coordination and collaboration with key partners and stakeholders across the 

Department, the IC, Interagency, and Industry.

A native New Yorker, Mr. Resnick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh 

Dickenson University and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University. 

Jason Miller has been executive editor of Federal News Network since 2008. Jason directs the news coverage on 

all federal issues. He has also produced several news series – among them on whistleblower retaliation at the SBA, 

the impact of the Technology Modernization Fund and the ever changing role of agency CIOs.

10 Year Anniversary
Renata Spinks, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CyberSec International

Linus Barloon II, Global Head of Threat Detection and Response, CDW

Imran Umar, Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

Major Linus J. Barloon II is a Cyberspace Officer assigned to the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) as 

the Chief of Cyber Operations Division in the J3 Directorate, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Captain 

Barloon has been active duty for the last 22 years, being trained as a FB-111A Avionics Technician and as a Ground 

Radio Maintenance technician. After 12 years being enlisted, Capt Barloon was selected for Officer Training School 

and earned his commission on 28 Jun 2002. Since his commissioning, he has served in many leadership roles, to 

include: Network Operations Security Center Crew Commander, Flight Commander of both the Air Force Network 

Red/Blue Team and his current position. As a Flight Commander for the Air Force Blue Team, he was responsible 

for building the ability to “hunt” for the cyber adversary on Air Force networks. In his current capacity, he is 

responsible for training, organizing and equipping joint forces to proactively protect, detect, react and recover 

from the cyber threat on networks directly associated with supporting the President, Vice President, First Lady and 

other Senior White House Staff. He is an experienced speaker in the cyber community having been requested to 

speak at national Security Agency’s Red Blue Symposium, the Defense Information System Agency’s Cyber 

Technical Exchange, AFCEA Luncheons and Breakout Panels and other venues. He is also the Vice Chair of the 

Advanced Threat Response Panel for the National Board of Information Security Examiners to influence the 

development of cyber curriculums at all levels of education at the National level.

Ms Renata C. Spinks is the CEO of tech-start-up (CyberSec International); whose mission is to provide 

Cybersecurity Software and Services to the public sector. She previously served as the Assistant Director/Deputy 

CIO of the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Department in the Headquarters Marine 

Corps Senior Executive Service (2021-2023) and the Nation's first Cyber Technology Officer at Marine Forces 

Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER); (2018-2021). Her drive to revolutionize cyber, information technology 

and business transformation is evident in the initiatives she's led to date. As the Asst IT Director/Deputy CIO of 

IC4, she also served as the Senior Information Security Officer for the US Marine Corps. Her accomplishments 

span from authorizations, governance, policy, engineering, network modernization, digital transformation, 

emergent technology adoption and deployment, budget as well as workforce management. Prior to her USMC 

Senior Executive Service appointment, Ms. Spinks' accomplishments include working with DHS ICE, DOJ, CIA and 

the ODNI while serving as a criminal research specialist; utilizing forensics and human intelligence to investigate 

human trafficking and child exploitation as well as innovating in the US Treasury Big Data Analytics Office of 

Financial Research space. Ms. Spinks holds a BS in Information Systems, a MS in Technology Management, 

multiple information technology certifications, and is pursuing her Doctorate in Cybersecurity. Her tenure in the 

Senior Ranks evolved her as the go-to executive for innovation and earned her the reputation of getting things 

done with excellence. She leads with a People First mindset. Ms. Spinks' love for cyber and pattern of excellence 

progressively elevates her and is evident in her ascension to Senior Executive now turned CEO; at an 

unprecedented pace.

Imran Umar is a cyber leader spearheading Booz Allen’s zero trust practice. With an extensive background 

supporting commercial, Department of Defense, and federal civilian clients, Imran provides technical solutions 

that enable organizations to move towards a resilient zero trust architecture.

Along with zero trust, Imran advances the adoption and fusion of machine learning and artificial intelligence to 

improve cyber resiliency at an enterprise scale. Using concepts such as zero trust network access (ZTNA) and zero 

trust application access (ZTAA), he and his team of cybersecurity analysts determine an organization’s current zero 

trust maturity status, identify key gaps in architecture, and develop tailored solutions to transition them towards 

a data-centric security model that enforces least privileged access.

Imran has a master’s in information and telecommunication systems, with a focus on cybersecurity, from Johns 

Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s from George Mason University.

10 Year Anniversary
FOURTH PANEL

Future of Critical Infrastructure 

Protection

(2:00 – 3:00)

Abstract 1: Critical infrastructure has become digitized in most of the U.S., which makes the 

disruption or destruction of key systems a target for state and non-state actors looking to disrupt 

the wellbeing of American citizens. The national security strategy describes the aim of deterring 

cyber-attacks and responding decisively with all appropriate tools as part of an allied effort with 

other nations to deny sanctuary. The National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) outlines critical 

infrastructure protection as the first of five pillars for approaching resilience in cyberspace and 

notes the current administration’s efforts to engage industry to construct consistent, predictable 

and regulatory frameworks. However, the challenge is balancing security and innovation across 

the private sector in the context of a dynamic geopolitical environment. To that end, the “Shields 

Up” campaign prior to Russian invasion of Ukraine aided with combating malicious activity. There 

is much more work to do to protect critical infrastructure in the absence of systems to 

permanently link public and private stakeholders to operate at the speed and scale needed 

according to the NCS. 

Abstract 2: Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) systems are becoming increasingly 

interconnected and digitized, which enhances efficiency, but also increases vulnerability to cyber 

threats. In the future, CIP will need to focus on protecting these interconnected networks from 

cyberattacks, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are in place. The emergence of advanced 

technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and automation will 

introduce new challenges and opportunities for CIP. While these technologies can enhance 

efficiency, they also introduce new vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Future CIP strategies 

will need to address these emerging risks and develop proactive measures to protect critical 

infrastructure. Collaboration between government agencies, private sector entities, and 

international partners will continue to be crucial for effective CIP. Encouraging public-private 

partnerships will help facilitate information sharing, resource allocation, and coordinated 

responses to potential threats.

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Panelists

Rodney MacAlister, Founder and Principle of the MacAlister Group & Associates; Senior 

Advisor (CSIS) 

Moderator

Martin Matishak, Senior Cybersecurity Reporter, The Record

Martin Matishak is a senior cybersecurity reporter for The Record. He spent the last five years at Politico, where 

he covered Congress, the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community and was a driving force behind the 

publication's cybersecurity newsletter.

Harry Wingo, JD, Assistant Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace, National 

Defense University

Professor Wingo leads the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Development Program (LDP) at the National 

Defense University (NDU) College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC). He has over 25 years of government and 

corporate leadership experience, including 15 years focused on information and communications technology law 

and policy. He has served as President and CEO of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, Senior Policy Counsel at Google, 

Counsel to the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce & Transportation, Special Counsel to the General Counsel 

of the Federal Communications Commission and an Associate with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 

Flom. Before his career in law and technology, Professor Wingo served for more than six years as a Navy SEAL officer. 

He is a graduate of Yale Law School and the United States Naval Academy.

Rodney MacAlister is Founder and Principle of The MacAlister Group & Associates, a virtual consultancy, that he 

formed in 2014 among a global network of colleagues. He is also a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and 

International Studies in Washington, DC. 

MacAlister was CEO and Founder of Monetizing Gas Africa Inc. (2015-2022) a company which developed natural 

gas and power generation infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing LNG and hybrid options for the Energy 

Transition to solve renewable energy’s intermittency while aiding decarbonization. 

He previously served as General Manager of VAALCO Energy in Gabon (oil production, 2011-2014); MD of the 

Africa Middle Market Fund (Private Equity, 2008-2011); CEO of the US African Development Foundation in the G.W. 

Bush Administration (USG development agency, 2006-2007); Independent consultant in operating in conflict zones 

(2003-2006); and various positions at ConocoPhillips, 1978-2003, much of it in Africa, including 13 years in Business 

Development, and GM in the Congo (Brazzaville). He also headed Conoco’s Washington office for 8 years. In Cape 

Town, South Africa, he headed the State Dept. Overseas Security Advisory Council.

MacAlister holds BA and MA degrees in International Relations from the University of Redlands, California, and 

spent a year of post-graduate work at The Sorbonne, Paris. He resides in Northern Virginia after living (again) in 

Africa 2011-2022. 

10 Year Anniversary
Dr. Michael Powell, National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology

Zach Tudor, Associate Laboratory Director, Idaho National Laboratory

10 Year Anniversary

Peter Colombo, Senior Advisor, Cybersecurity Division, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 

Security Agency (CISA)

Mr. Zachary (Zach) Tudor is the associate laboratory director of Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) National and 

Homeland Security (N&HS) directorate.

Under Tudor’s leadership, INL has developed into a major center for national security technology development 

and demonstration, employing 800 scientists and engineers across nearly $500 million in programs. Tudor is 

responsible for leading divisions including INL’s Nuclear Nonproliferation, Cyber Research and Development, 

Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Defense Systems missions. These missions include safeguarding and 

securing vulnerable nuclear material, enhancing the overall security and resilience of the nation’s infrastructure, 

and providing protective material science solutions and heavy manufacturing of armor for national defense. The 

laboratory’s national security missions support major programs for the Department of Energy, Department of 

Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Intelligence Community. 

Previously, Tudor was a program director in the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International, where he 

served as a management and technical resource for operational and research and development cybersecurity 

programs for government, intelligence and commercial projects. He supported DHS’ Cyber Security Division on 

projects including the Linking the Oil and Gas Industry to Improve Cybersecurity consortium, and the Industrial 

Control Systems Joint Working Group. He has served on the NRC’s Nuclear Cyber Security Working Group, was 

vice chair of the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection at George Washington University and served 

as board chair for the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)2, a non-profit 

organization which specializes in training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals, often described as the 

"world's largest IT security organization".

A retired U.S. Navy Submarine Limited Duty Electronics Officer and chief data systems technician, Tudor holds an 

M.S. in information systems concentrating in cybersecurity from George Mason University, where he also was an 

adjunct professor teaching graduate courses in information security. His professional credentials include the 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, and Certified 

Computer Professional.

Peter is the Deputy Section Chief of CISA’s Cyber Performance Goals (CPGs) Section, within the Cybersecurity 

Division (CSD). He has previously served as a Senior Advisor with CSD working on Industrial Control Systems 

(ICS) and critical infrastructure-focused cybersecurity initiatives, to include supporting the original drafting of 

the CPGs and management of the Controls Systems Working Group (CSWG). Prior to joining CISA, he was a 

program manager for Federally Funded Research and Development (FFRDC) initiatives at the US Department of 

Veterans Affairs and intelligence projects at the US Department of the Treasury. Prior to his work in civilian 

government service, he served as an artillery officer in the United States Army. He holds a bachelors from the 

University of Virginia, and a Masters from Georgetown University.

Michael Powell is a Cybersecurity Engineer at the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) at the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Rockville, Maryland. His research focuses on 

cybersecurity for the manufacturing sector, particularly how it impacts industrial control systems.

Dr. Powell joined the NCCoE in 2017. In his previous positions, he was responsible for the 

management/oversight of building and commissioning of US Navy DDG-51 class ships. He also served in the 

United States Navy for over 20 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in 

Information Technology, A Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a Master’s degree in Information 

Technology. Dr. Powell completed his Doctorate degree in Applied Computing at Pace University in West 

Chester, New York.
FIFTH PANEL

Big Data and National Defense

(3:15 – 4:15)

Abstract 1: Big data has become a crucial player in the modern battlefield of cybersecurity. With 

the exponential growth of information being generated and collected, organizations must 

navigate the complexities of managing and protecting this valuable resource. In the realm of 

cybersecurity, big data is both a weapon and a shield. 

Abstract 2: “Big data” continues grow even bigger with demand for data-intensive applications 

from machine learning and artificial intelligence to large language models. Whatever the scale of 

the data, to be useful it must be made visible, accessible, understandable, linked, trustworthy, 

and secure. Fulfilling these goals creates new requirements not just for more data, more storage, 

and faster processors, but for new skills, new organizational structures, and new ways of thinking. 

In this panel we address progress and challenges in implementing a sound data strategy in the 

context of national security organizations.

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Panelists

Michael Brody, JD, Visiting Faculty Chair, Department of Homeland Security, College of 

Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University

Moderator

Suzanne Smalley, Covering Privacy, Disinformation, and Cybersecurity Policy, The Record

Linda Jantzen, Assistant Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University

10 Year Anniversary

Suzanne Smalley is a reporter covering privacy, disinformation and cybersecurity policy for The Record. 

She was previously a cybersecurity reporter at CyberScoop and Reuters. Earlier in her career Suzanne 

covered the Boston Police Department for the Boston Globe and two presidential campaign cycles for 

Newsweek. She lives in Washington with her husband and three children.

Michael Brody has been working in homeland security policy development since 2004. He began his career in the 

Office of the Governor of Illinois where he was responsible for developing new policy directives for the State in 

homeland security. His work there led to his role as Director of the Illinois Homeland Security Market Development 

Bureau which provided grants and management consulting to innovative, high-tech homeland security companies 

based in Illinois. In 2008, Brody joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency serving as Reporting Section 

Chief for the National Preparedness Assessments Division, where he managed a team of analysts that produced 

reports for Congress on national, all-hazards preparedness including the National Preparedness Report. From 2012 

to early 2014, Brody served as the Policy, Outreach and Communications Manager for the Homeland Security 

Information Network (HSIN), where he was responsible for stakeholder management and strategic messaging. 

Starting in the Spring of 2014, Brody worked as the Director for Policy, Architecture and Governance in the 

Information Sharing and Services Office of the OCIO – managing enterprise strategy development, new business 

engagements, communications and policy for a portfolio of programs that deliver vital IT mission support services 

across the homeland security enterprise. Most recently, since May, 2019, Mr. Brody serves as a Professor, 

representing DHS at the National Defense University and its College of Information and Cyberspace. He holds a 

Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, 2000, magna cum laude, a Juris Doctorate from the 

University Of Illinois College of Law, 20003, cum laude, a Masters Degree in Security Studies from the Naval PostGraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, 2010, a Masters of Science Degree in National 

Security Strategy from the National War College, 2018, Distinguished Graduate (Top 10% of Class), and is DHS 

Senior Fellow.

COL (USA Ret.) Linda Jantzen served for over twenty years as a network service provider in the U.S. Army in 

command and staff assignments at every level including deployments to Korea, the first Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, 

Germany, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Pentagon tours include Chief of Operations for the Chief of Army 

Legislative Liaison and acting Chief Data Officer and Director of the Army Architecture Integration Center. Prior to 

coming to CIC she was Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty at National War College. COL Jantzen has 

authored several papers and articles on topics including adoption of innovation, digital transformation, and 

network operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is currently researching data culture and the use of data within 

the context of military operations. She is an avid student of military history focusing on the First World War. She 

has several degrees, including: B.A., Mass Communications, University of Illinois at Chicago; M.S., 

Telecommunications, Michigan State University; M.S., National Security Strategy, National War College, NDU; M.S., 

Science & Technology Studies, Virginia Tech.
Cameron F. Kerry, Ann R. & Andrew H. Tisch Distinguished Visiting Fellow, The Brookings 

Institute

10 Year Anniversary

Cameron Kerry is a global thought leader on privacy, artificial intelligence, and cross-border challenges in 

information technology. He joined Governance Studies and the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings in 

December 2013 as the first Ann R. and Andrew H. Tisch Distinguished Visiting Fellow. He leads two projects: The 

Privacy Debate, which engages policymakers and stakeholders on the national legislative debate on privacy, and 

the Forum for Cooperation on AI, a series of roundtables bringing together officials and experts from several 

countries to identify avenues of cooperation on AI regulation, standards, and research and development. 

Previously, Kerry served as general counsel and acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he 

was a leader on a wide of range of issues including technology, trade, and economic growth and security. He 

continues to speak and write on these issues, focusing primarily on privacy, artificial intelligence, and international 

data flows, along with other digital economy issues. During his time as acting secretary, Kerry served as chief 

executive of this Cabinet agency and its 43,000 employees around the world as well as an adviser to then President 

Barack Obama. His tenure marked the first time in U.S. history two siblings have served in the president’s Cabinet 

at the same time. 

As general counsel, he was the principal legal adviser to the several Secretaries of Commerce and Commerce 

agency heads. Kerry spearheaded development of the White House blueprint on consumer privacy, Consumer 

Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation in the Global 

Digital Economy. He then led the administration’s implementation of the blueprint, drafting privacy legislation and 

engaging with international partners, including the European Union. He also was a leader in the Obama 

administration’s successful effort to pass the America Invents Act, the most significant overhaul of the patent 

system in more than 150 years. He helped establish and lead the Commerce Department’s Internet Policy Task 

Force, and was the department’s voice on cybersecurity issues and similar issues in the White House “Deputies 

Committee.” Kerry also played a significant role on intellectual property policy and litigation, cybersecurity, 

international bribery, trade relations and rule of law development in China, the Gulf Oil spill litigation, and other 

challenges facing a large, diverse federal agency. He traveled to the People’s Republic of China on numerous 

occasions to co-lead the Transparency Dialogue with China as well as the U.S.-China Legal Exchange and exchanges 

on anti-corruption. 

In addition to his Brookings affiliation, Kerry is a visiting scholar at the MIT Media Lab. He also served as senior 

counsel at Sidley Austin LLP in Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., where his practice involved privacy, 

security, and international trade issues. 

Deborah Karagosian, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Villumination

Deborah Karagosian is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and the School of Advanced Military Studies 

(SAMS) and attained master’s degrees in computer systems, strategic management, and military theater 

operations. She’s led multi-functional teams to solve the most complex problems in the cyberspace domain and 

served as the lead author of several CONOPs. As the founder of DKI Solutions, she brought together a missionfocused team supporting multiple government and industry organizations and served as a governmentrecognized expert on Russian and Chinese cyber and influence operations. At Booz Allen Hamilton, she continues 

to serve, guiding highly technical teams to identify and solve wicked problems arising from this new era of Great 

Power Competition.
FIRESIDE CHAT

with

General (Retired) Keith B. Alexander

Keith Brian Alexander is a retired four-star general of the United States 

Army, who served as director of the National Security Agency, chief of 

the Central Security Service, and commander of the United States Cyber 

Command. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 (Intelligence), 

United States Army from 2003 to 2005. He assumed the positions of Director 

of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Service on 

August 1, 2005, and the additional duties as Commander United States 

Cyber Command on May 21, 2010. Alexander retired on March 28, 2014. In 

May 2014, Alexander founded IronNet Cybersecurity, a privatesector cybersecurity firm based in Fulton, Maryland.

10 Year Anniversary

MODERATED

by

Gina Thomas 

Distance Learning Student, College of Information and Cyberspace, 

Master of Science – MS Government Information Leadership, National 

Security and Cyberspace Studies, Distance Learning Program

As a senior systems engineer for Acuity Innovations LLC, a Small Woman Owned 

Business, Gina leads a team of test engineer professionals to ensure MILSATCOM 

systems are fully evaluated and meet operational requirements. Retired from the 

United States Army in 2018 with 22 years of service, she served her local county 

government as the Senior IT Project Manager in Colorado. In 2019 she went on to 

serve as the Deputy Branch Chief for Defensive Cyberspace Operations/DODIN 

Operations for the Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Army), Cyberspace OperationsIntegrated Planning Element (CO-IPE) in support of U.S Northern Command at 

Peterson Space Force Base, CO. Ms. Thomas holds Bachelor of Arts degree in 

Biochemistry from Benedictine College, A Master of Science Degree from Embry 

Riddle Aeronautical University in Organizational Leadership and is currently pursuing a 

Master of Science from the National Defense University in Government Information 

Leadership from the College for Information and Cyberspace. 
CLOSING REMARKS

by

Erfana Dar, Student, Joint Professional Military Education II Resident 

Program, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University

A career Foreign Service officer, she served as Senior Post Management 

Officer in the Executive Office of the Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs from 

2022-2023 and Counselor for Management Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in 

Kuala Lumpur from 2019-2022. She began her diplomatic career in 2003 

and served in reporting and management positions in U.S. Missions in 

Greece, Moldova, Iraq, Brussels and Cote d’Ivore.

In Washington she has served as Senior Advisor in the Bureau for European 

and Eurasian Affairs, in the Office of the Undersecretary for Management as 

a Special Assistant, and as a Watch Officer in the Office of the Secretary, 

Executive Secretariat. She has received numerous State Department 

performance awards. A graduate of Gonzaga University, Erfana speaks 

French, Russian and Kashmiri. She is married to U.S. diplomat Andrew 

Johnson.

10 Year Anniversary
OCTOBER 20th

Day 2
OPENING REMARKS 

by

Dr. Amy Hamilton, Visiting Faculty Chair, Department of Energy, 

College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University

Amy S. Hamilton, Ph.D. is the Visiting Faculty Chair from the Department 

of Energy to the Department of Defense (DOD) National Defense 

University (NDU) College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC). She has 

served for the past three years as the Senior Advisor for National 

Cybersecurity Policy and Programs at the Department of Energy. She 

spent two years as a senior cyber security policy analyst at the Office of 

Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. She served 

in the Michigan Army National Guard as a communications specialist and 

was commissioned into the U.S. Army Officer Signal Corp, serving on 

Active Duty and later the U.S. Army Reserves. She has worked at both 

the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Northern Command & North

10 Year Anniversary

American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on multiple communications and IT projects.

She became a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute in 

2007 and earned her Certified Information Security Manager certification in 2011. She presented on the 

“The Secret to Life from a PMP” at TEDxStuttgart in September 2016. She taught Project Management 

Tools at Colorado Technical University and was a facilitator for the Master’s Degree Program in Project 

Management for Boston University. She is an award-winning public speaker and has presented in over 

twenty countries on overcoming adversity, reaching your dreams, cyber security, and project 

management.
MORNING KEYNOTE

by 

Laura Galante, Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), 

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

Laura Galante has served as the Intelligence Community’s Cyber Executive 

and Director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC) for 

the Office of the Director for National Intelligence since May 2022. In this 

role, Ms. Galante is responsible for driving a coordinated approach to cyber 

intelligence collection and analysis, aligning strategic investments with 

national security priorities, and leading intelligence efforts to respond to 

major cybersecurity incidents.

Ms. Galante brings extensive security industry experience to her current 

role. From 2017 to 2021, she assisted multiple Ukrainian government 

agencies to improve their cyber defense operations, directed an 

international task force to monitor cyber and information threats to

Ukraine’s 2019 presidential election and served as an expert witness in multiple cyber warfare trials. She 

spoke frequently on states’ use of cyberspace at international and industry conferences including a 2017 

TED Talk.

Ms. Galante was previously the Director of Global Intelligence at Mandiant (formerly FireEye Inc.), the 

cybersecurity firm. Her team discovered and attributed multiple state and criminal cyber operations, to 

include the Russian military’s “APT28.” She developed intelligence products to improve the security 

posture of Fortune 500 companies, critical infrastructure providers, non-profits, government agencies, and 

international partners. Prior to her role at Mandiant, Ms. Galante served at the Defense Intelligence 

Agency where she led a team responsible for analyzing Russian cyber capabilities. She began her career at 

the Department of State.

Ms. Galante holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Italian from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the 

Catholic University of America. She is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former 

Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Ms. Galante is a proud 4-H alumna, a livestock club leader, and lives 

on a farm in rural Virginia with her husband and son.

10 Year Anniversary
FIRST PANEL

Emerging Technology & National 

Security Interests

(10:15 – 11:15)

Abstract 1: Here are some key lessons on the use of emerging technologies in modern 

warfare from the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Drones are a game-changer, Resilient 

communications are critical, AI and big data analytics enable intelligence advantages, 

Cyber threats are persistent, and Satellite intelligence is now indispensables. Overall, the 

war shows existing and emerging technologies alike now play a pivotal role in modern 

military operations. Agility in adoption and employment of new tools and tactics is 

increasingly vital for battlefield advantage. 

Abstract 2: The 2022 National Security Strategy highlights the challenge emerging 

technology presents in the context of maintaining credibility for deterrence. The RussoUkrainian War provides a critical example of failing this challenge. The US-backed 

successful counter of the Russian military followed perceptions of lackluster innovation 

and development of defense solutions for the contemporary battlefield on the part of 

Ukraine. The U.S. Government, and the governments of Partners and Allies, should 

continue to invest in all aspects of understanding emerging technology. The goal should 

be to create a shared military-technological collaborative approach. However, rapid 

proliferation of defense technology, strained relational capacity across partnerships, and 

status quo systems of multilateralism complicate goal achievement. 

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Panelists

Dr. Jill Goldenziel, Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University 

Moderator

Dr. Jill Goldenziel is a Professor at the National Defense University’s College of Information and Cyberspace. She 

is also an Affiliated Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fox Leadership International Program and Penn’s 

Partnership for Effective Public Administration and Leadership Ethics.

Dr. Goldenziel’s award-winning scholarship focuses on international law, lawfare, information warfare, U.S. and 

comparative constitutional law, the law of war, refugees and migration, and leadership. Her award-winning work 

has appeared in the Cornell Law Review, the American Journal of International Law, the American Journal of 

Comparative Law, the Virginia Journal of International Law, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of 

Constitutional Law, and the Arizona State Law Journal, among other scholarly journals. Dr. Goldenziel is also 

a Forbes.com contributor on Defense and National Security and is frequently quoted and cited in the press.

Dr. Goldenziel is a sought-after speaker and consultant. She regularly advises elite Marine units, the Joint Force, 

Combatant Commands, and civilian agencies on lawfare and legal issues, and has briefed senior military and 

civilian leadership on her research. She received the 2022 Serge Lazareff Prize from NATO’s Allied Command 

Operations Office of Legal Affairs at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe for her work on legal 

operations (known elsewhere as lawfare or counter-lawfare). Since 2016, Dr. Goldenziel has had High-Level 

involvement in the processes to negotiate, create, and implement the UN Global Compact for Migration (GCM), 

as a representative of the Academic Council on the UN System. She spoke as the primary representative from 

academia at the 2022 UN International Migration Review Forum Stakeholder’s Meeting, spoke alongside world 

leaders before 164 UN Member-States at the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the GCM, and submitted 

draft language for both documents and the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

Dr. Goldenziel was previously a Professor at U.S. Marine Corps University-Command and Staff College, a 

Climenko Fellow and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, a Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s 

Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, a Lecturer on Government and Social Studies at Harvard 

College, and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Law. She clerked for Judge Thomas 

Buergenthal (Ret., International Court of Justice) and Prof. William W. Park on ICSID investor-state international 

arbitration tribunals. She has been a Visiting Scholar at iCourts at the University of Copenhagen and a Scholarin-Residence at the International Arbitration practice of WilmerHale in London.

Dr. Goldenziel holds a Ph.D. and an A.M. in Government from Harvard University, a J.D. from the New York 

University School of Law, and an A.B. from Princeton University.

Frank Konkel, Vice President, Editorial, NextGov/FCW

Frank Konkel is vice president of editorial and an editor at large for Nextgov/FCW. He writes about the 

intersection of government and technology. Frank began covering tech in 2013 upon moving to the Washington, 

D.C., area after getting his start in journalism covering local and state issues at daily newspapers in his home 

state of Michigan. Frank was born and raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Michigan State University.

10 Year Anniversary
Justin Fanelli, Chief Technology Officer, Department of the Navy

Mr. Justin Fanelli is the Acting CTO for the Dept of Navy and the Technical Director of PEO Digital.

As CTO, he is chartered to measurably improve technology-driven mission outcomes within the Dept of Navy. 

As TD, the PEO is chartered to expedite the performant, secure transformation of enterprise IT infrastructure 

within the Dept of Navy’s acquisition apparatus. He currently serves as an Advisor for Advanced Research Project 

Agency – Health (ARPA-H). Recent roles for Mr. Fanelli have included, Chief Data Architect for Defense Health, 

Technical Director for Navy Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE), Executive Lead for Navy's 

Digital Transformation in 5G and DevSecOps. With Dept of Navy roles, Mr Fanelli’s team has recently been 

recognized for transforming modern service delivery including multi-billion dollars in cost avoidance and 

leapahead impacts with the Etter Award. Within Defense Healthcare, Mr. Fanelli’s teams delivered the first onestop data enterprise for revolutionized healthcare and research outcomes. Previously within DOD, Mr. Fanelli has 

served as a Service Chiefs Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Principal Engineer 

for Navy Enterprise Business Systems and Chief Systems Engineer for Command and Control (C2). 

Outside of the office, Mr. Fanelli teaches technology courses at Georgetown University and advises on 

innovation. He holds a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, a 

Masters degree in Electrical and Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Senior 

Executive Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is certified in Lean Six Sigma, Agile Development, GIAC 

Security Leadership, Defense Acquisition University Engineering and Program Management, has served as 

Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Technology (MCOT) Board Member, North Catholic High School Alumni 

Association President, currently serves as an advisor to National Science Foundation startups, a partner at 

NextGen Ventures, a Cornerstone Schools Executive Board Member, volunteer and speaker at TechImpact and 

AFCEA and is a member of the Cosmos Club. His awards include National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, 

Civilian Exemplary Achievement Award, Secretary of the Navy’s Innovation Award, Project Management 

Institute's Project of the Year, Federal Health IT Innovation Award and he is a two time FedHealth 100 honoree. 

He lives in Arlington, VA and loves book recommendations.

10 Year Anniversary

Shawn Powers, Executive Director of the United States Advisory Commission on Public 

Diplomacy, Department of State

Shawn Powers serves as the Executive Director of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, a 

body authorized by Congress to oversee and promote U.S. Government activities that intend to understand, 

inform, and influence foreign publics. He has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication and 

Journalism at the University of Southern California (USC) and more than a decade of experience working at the 

nexus of public diplomacy, development, and national security.

Shawn’s career began in 2003 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he was a 

research assistant in the International Security Program. In 2004, he started his graduate work at USC and led a 

number of research projects on international broadcasting and global media at the Center on Public Diplomacy 

(CPD). Since 2010, Shawn has taught at Georgia State University, where he launched and directed its Center for 

Global Information Studies and remains an Associate Professor on leave.

As an academic, Shawn researched the geopolitics of information and technology and recently published (with 

Michael Jablonski) The Real Cyber War: A Political Economy of Internet Freedom (The University of Illinois Press, 

2015). He has over 40 publications in academic and mainstream outlets, including The Washington 

Post, Guardian, and Huffington Post. Shawn previously worked with the Advisory Commission on its 2014 

report, Data Driven Public Diplomacy, when he led a team of investigators in assessing the Broadcasting Board of 

Governors’ research and evaluation efforts. His research has been supported by grants from the British Council, 

Department of Defense, Department of State, European Commission, Knight Foundation, Open Society 

Foundation, and U.S. Institute for Peace, and he’s received fellowships from the London School of Economics, 

University of Pennsylvania, Oxford, and Central European University.

Shawn received B.A.’s in International Affairs and Communication from University of Georgia before earning his 

M.A. and Ph.D. from USC. He serves on the executive committee of the International Studies Association 

International Communication division, and has been invited to speak at the Al Jazeera Forum, Austrian 

Diplomatic Academy, British Broadcasting Corporation, Council on Foreign Relations, United Nations, World 

Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and over 30 universities.
Sam Bendett, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Technology and National Security Program, 

Center for Naval Analysis (CNA)

Samuel Bendett is an Adviser with CNA Strategy, Policy, Plans and Programs Center (SP3), where he is a member 

of the Russia Studies Program. His work involves research on the Russian defense and technology 

developments, unmanned and autonomous military systems and Artificial Intelligence, as well as Russian 

military capabilities and decision-making during crises. He is an honorary “Mad Scientist” with the USARMY 

TRADOC’s Mad Scientist Initiative. He is also a Russian military autonomy and AI SME for the DOD’s Defense 

Systems Information Analysis Center.

Prior to joining CNA, Mr. Bendett worked at the National Defense University on emerging and disruptive 

technologies for government response in crisis situation, where he conducted research on behalf of the Office 

of the Secretary of Defense for Policy (OSD-P) and Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OSD-AT&L). His 

previous experience includes working for US Congress, private sector and non-profit organizations on foreign 

policy, international conflict resolution, defense and security issues.

Mr. Bendett’s analyses, views and commentary on Russian military robotics, unmanned systems and Artificial 

Intelligence capabilities appear in the C4ISRnet, DefenseOne, War on the Rocks, Breaking Defense, The National 

Interest, War Is Boring, and The Strategy Bridge. He frequently presents on the Russian unmanned systems and 

AI to the US government, private industry and academia, as well as think tanks and policy centers. Between 

2008 and 2016, he was a foreign policy and international affairs contributor to the RealClearWorld.com blog.

Samuel Bendett received his M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, Tufts University and B.A. in 

Politics and English from Brandeis University. He has native fluency in Russian.

10 Year Anniversary
SECOND PANEL

Joint Warfighting & Cyberspace 

Operations: U.S. Military 

Responsibilities, Authorities, & 

Capabilities in Cyber Warfare

(11:15 – 12:15)

Abstract 1: The military responsibility of conducting Cyberspace operations assumes the requisite 

authorities and capabilities to gain warfighting advantages to safeguard vital national interests, as 

outlined in the 2022 National Security Strategy. Cyberspace operations complement the Joint Force 

global campaigns, linking Allies and partners such as the Quad to rapidly respond to attacks 

according to the 2022 National Defense Strategy. However, the proliferation of technology has 

increased the capabilities of adversarial state and non-state actors to operate in cyberspace, which 

places a premium on determining the placement of cyberspace capabilities to protect DOD 

networks. Moreover, the Department of Defense, and the Joint Force, maintains multi-service 

modernization efforts to ensure U.S. Cyber Mission Forces can effectively support global campaign 

operations while also defending the nation from cyber-attacks. The ability to conduct strategically 

focused cyberspace operations in a globally contested domain will continue to challenge cyberspace 

professionals, especially members of the Joint Force. Senior military officials should consider 

establishing a permanent single-source service provider for recruiting, training, educating and 

equipping cyberspace professionals for cyberspace operations and Joint Warfighting.

Abstract 2: Joint warfighting and cyberspace operations refer to the coordinated efforts of multiple 

military branches or services to conduct operations in the cyberspace domain. This involves 

leveraging cyberspace capabilities to support broader military objectives and enhance overall 

warfighting effectiveness. Cyberspace operations can encompass offensive, defensive, and 

intelligence activities in the cyberspace domain. The integration of cyberspace operations into joint 

warfighting allows for the synchronization of cyber capabilities with other military domains such as 

land, sea, air, and space. This integration enables the military to leverage cyberspace as a domain 

for gaining and maintaining a competitive advantage over adversaries.

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Moderator

Panelists

Dr. J.D. Work, Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense 

University

J.D. Work is a Professor at the National Defense University (NDU) College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC). 

His research focuses on cyber intelligence, operational art, and strategy in conflict and competition. Mr. Work has 

over 25 years’ experience working in cyber, intelligence, and operations roles for the private sector and U.S. 

Government. He holds additional affiliations with the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies at the School 

of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, the Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare at 

the Marine Corps University, and the Cyber Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council.

10 Year Anniversary

Dr. Aaron Brantly, Associate Professor, Virginia Tech

Aaron Brantly, an associate professor of political science and director of the Tech4Humanity lab at Virginia Tech, 

has worked on issues related to cybersecurity from multiple angles, including human rights and development, 

intelligence and national security, and military cybersecurity. His interests span the political science and 

computer science divide. He is currently working on a yearlong project on cyber deterrence funded by OSD 

Minerva R-Def.

Christina Ayiotis, Cyber Strategist and Consultant, CRM, CIPP/E 

An internationally recognized business executive and attorney, Christina Ayiotis brings a unique strategic 

perspective, honed from years of building substantive (geopolitically contextualized) cyber expertise.

A true "Cyber Connector," she? brings together cross-functional/international constituencies to foster 

productive collaborative solutions. She founded and Co-Chaired the Georgetown Cybersecurity Law 

Institute and served on AFCEA International’s Cyber Committee and The Cybersecurity Canon Committee. 

Ranked #18 on Thomson Reuters’ 2018 List of Top 50 Social Influencers in Risk, Compliance and RegTech, 

she is featured in Women Know Cyber: 100 Fascinating Females Fighting Cybercrime (May 2019) and is 

recognized as one of The Top 15 Women in Cybersecurity and InfoSec Today (March 2019); Top 50 Women 

in Internet Security (January 2017); Top 20 Women in #InfoSec to follow on Twitter (July 2016) and Top 

#InfoSec People to Follow on Twitter. She taught a Masters Level Information Policy class at GW, served as 

Deputy General Counsel—Information Governance at CSC, and led global programs at Booz Allen 

Hamilton, Ernst & Young International, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. She served on the Boards of 

Directors of ARCS MWC, Fairfax Law Foundation, ARMA NOVA, Hellenic American Women's 

Council and Women’s Bar Association of DC. She earned a Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache from 

the Goethe Institute and studied French at the Alliance Française, Paris. In 2008, she earned the Certified 

Records Manager certification. A magna cum laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (BSBiology/ BA-Philosophy; Minors- Mathematics/French; University Honors), she earned a Juris Doctorate 

from William & Mary Law School. She has been an active Member in Good Standing of the Virginia State 

Bar since 1991 and the District of Columbia Bar since 1993.
10 Year Anniversary

Dr. Melissa Griffith, Lecturer, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International 

Studies (SAIS) 

Dr. Melissa K. Griffith is a Lecturer in Technology and National Security at Johns Hopkins University School of 

Advanced International Studies’ (SAIS) Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies as well as a Non-Resident 

Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC). She works at 

the intersection between technology and national security with a specialization in cybersecurity, semiconductors, 

and 5G networks focused on national risk and resilience models. 

Griffith's book project investigates how relatively small countries, with limited resources, have become significant 

providers of national cyber-defense for their populations. Her work sheds important light on the components and 

dynamics of cyber power and cyber conflict, as well as the vital role that public-private cooperation and both 

security and economic policy play in cyber-defense. Concurrent research projects examine (1) the security 

implications of 5G; (2) collective defense and resilience in cyberspace; (3) emerging technologies and great power 

competition; and (4) power and smaller states in international politics. 

Previously, Griffith was the Director of Emerging Technology and National Security and a Senior Program Associate 

at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP); a 

Pre-Doctoral Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC); an 

Affiliated Researcher at UC Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC); a Visiting Scholar at George 

Washington University's Institute for International Science & Technology Policy (IISTP); a Visiting Research Fellow 

at the Research Institute on the Finnish Economy (ETLA) in Helsinki, Finland; and a Visiting Researcher at 

the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels, Belgium.

Griffith holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2020); an M.A. in Political 

Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2014); and a B.A. in International Relations from Agnes Scott 

College (2011). She was an English Teaching Assistant with the Fulbright Program from 2012-2013.
CLOSING REMARKS

by

James Schmeling, Chief Executive Officer, National Defense University 

Foundation (NDUF)

NDUF’s President and CEO James Schmeling, J.D., has over 25 years of 

unparalleled experience in building and leading organizations focused on 

higher education, military veteran nonprofits, and public private 

partnerships. Schmeling is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Post-service he earned a 

B.A. in political science with a minor in international studies (Latin America) 

from Iowa State University and a Juris Doctorate (JD) with distinction from 

the University of Iowa College of Law.

10 Year Anniversary
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