September 20, 2021 | AFCEA
AFCEA’s Technet Augusta 2021 took place last month from August 16th- 19th and had extensive panels and speakers to talk about the state of technology in the military world.
Sessions started Monday, August 16thwith a focus on Cybersecurity. This included sessions on Artificial Intelligence’s influence on Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), what to do in a Cyber breach, and how to secure cloud. Additionally, there was an F5 Technical Workshop to help organizations meet Federal requirements for protecting applications with a Web Application Firewall (WAF). The first day ended with a networking reception.
Tuesday began with a welcome by the Mayor of Augusta, The Honorable Hardie Davis Jr., and the President & CEO of AFCEA International, Lt. General Robert M. Shea, USMC (Ret.). Following, BG Paul T. Stanton, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence & Fort Gordon gave his opening remarks. The opening keynote was led by LTG John B. Morrison, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff G-6 focusing on Operationalizing the Unified Network for Multi-Domain Operations, followed by Ross R. Guckert, Program Executive Officer of PEO Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) focused on the importance the PEO EIS has on building infrastructure. Additional highlights included a Joint Communications Support Element Airborne Exercise, the International Capture the Flag Cyber Challenge, a panel of Warrant Officers and what they do to Support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and Information Advantage (IA) and Senior Enlisted Leaders on Supporting Decision Dominance. This day concluded with a keynote from COL Joshe Raetz, Chief of Staff 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) on Integrated Information Warfare.
Wednesday continued on with a keynote from LTG Stephen G. Fogarty, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Command and a panel session from the Program Executive Office/Program Manager: Army Futures Command Network CFT; PEO Command, Control, Communications-Tactical; and DEVCOM C5ISR Center. Following this address, there were sessions on the U.S. Army Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS), Transforming Army Software and Cybersecurity Readiness, and a Panel Q&A with the Army Futures Command Network CFT; PEO Command, Control, Communications-Tactical; and DEVCOM C5ISR Center. The afternoon included sessions on Thunderdome – DoDIN Security, a panel on Implementing the Unified Network, and Resilience and Supply Chain in the Cloud. The day concluded with highlights from Women in AFCEA, including Women in Cyber Leadership, with Carrie McLelsh, Director of Federal Capture at the SANS Institute, MG Johanna P. Clyborne, ARNG, Deputy Commanding General – ARNG, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, Gokila Doral, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Augusta University, and Arlene Espinal, DBA, Vice President Analytics, Automation, AI (A3), Innovations and Capabilities office of ManTech.
The conference concluded on Friday with a last day packed with sessions. These included a Fireside Chat on Information in support of JADC2 by LtGen Robert M. Shea, USMC (Ret.), President & CEO of AFCEA International, LtGen Dennis A. Crall, USMC, Director for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers / Cyber and Chief Information Officer Joint Staff J6, and Lt Gen Robert J. Skinner, USAF, Director, Defense Information Systems Agency, Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, a Small Business workshop on Cybersecurity, a Keynote Address from Laurence Mixon, Special Assistance to the PEO, Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, a panel on Office Intelligence Warfare and Sensors with Q&A, and a panel on Information Advantage Core Tasks. To close, MG Maria B. Barrett, Commanding General NETCOM; Lt Gen Robert M. Shea, USCM (Ret.), President & CEO AFCEA International; and BG Paul T. Stanton, Commanding General U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence & Fort Gordon gave their closing thoughts.
In all, AFCEA Technet Augusta 2021 was packed filled with relevant information for government and the contracting community alike. We look forward to continuing the many relationships forged at the conference as we move forward into the last half of 2021.