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AIR FORCE CYBER COLLEGE NEWS

Announcing the Virtual Cyber Seminar Series

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Mission:

Create concepts, theory, strategies and force development support for national cyber endeavors.

Vision:

Be a center of knowledge, education, and research for AF and national leaders for cyber. 

Functional Mission Analysis – Cyber

Course Dates Location
15-19 Jun 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
29 Jun-3 Jul 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
13-17 Jul 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
27-31 Jul 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
10-14 Aug 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
24-28 Aug 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
8-11 Sep 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
21-25 Sep 20 Class Closed. AFCYBER CPT Course only.
5-9 Oct 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
19-23 Oct 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
2-6 Nov 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
16-20 Nov 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
30 Nov-4 Dec 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu
14-18 Dec 20 Virtual class online. For more information, contact veronica.wilson.3.ctr@au.af.edu

 

Recent Publications

  US Policy Response to Cyber Attack on SCADA Systems Supporting Critical National Infrastructure
Maj Scott A. Weed, USAF

This study examines federal efforts to unify the public and private domestic sectors in the defense against cyber attack on the industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that underpin US critical national infrastructure. It describes critical national infrastructure; the role of industrial control and SCADA systems in these sectors; and the panoply of actors, vulnerabilities, late-to-need cybersecurity, and threat trends for these systems. Political and social challenges to achieving greater cybersecurity are examined as are the processes through which the US government divides efforts among its lead cybersecurity agencies and what the responses to a cyber attack on ICS or SCADA might resemble.
  Is Cyber Deterrence Possible?
Col Timothy M. McKenzie, USAF

Deterrence in the cyber domain is drastically different and far more complicated than in the other military domains of air, land, sea, and space. Cyber weapons and offensive cyber techniques are relatively inexpensive and easily obtained or developed. The number of adversary groups capable of attacking US networks is large, and our ability to deter each group will vary based on their motives and levels of risk tolerance. An effective cyber deterrence strategy must be multilayered and use all instruments of US national power. This paper explores the difficulties of deterring unwanted cyber activities, sets some realistic expectations for a deterrence strategy, and offers proposals to help mitigate the problems.
  The Achievable Multinational Cyber Treaty Strengthening Our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure

Col Mark A. Barrera, USAF

Developing cyber norms and institutions has been problematic due to the competing interests of the major state actors in the multinational environment—especially among Russia, China, and the United States—concerning information freedom and access. The author establishes the genesis of this debate and argues that the United States should move beyond it to the issue of protecting critical infrastructure from cyber attack. Addressing the escalating threats to our nation’s infrastructure and networks, the author recommends pursuing an international agreement singularly focused on securing critical infrastructure combined with improving national regulatory and legislative measures for cyber defense.

  Social Media: The Fastest Growing Vulnerability to the Air Force Mission
Lt Col Scott E. Solomon, USAF

The inherent risks and vulnerabilities of the Internet and social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter have cultivated a rich and ripe environment for foreign adversaries and criminals to cherry-pick personal information about Airmen and their missions for nefarious activities. FBI guidance encourages users to reduce their online footprint in cyberspace rather to proliferate it. This paper addresses some of the most common threats and vulnerabilities of the social media environment, the risks of using social media, and current Air Force social media guidance. It recommends revising Air Force social media guidance and outlines cyberspace best practices. An informed workforce can better protect the Air Force mission and reduce the risk of becoming a target of opportunity.

 

Cyber Workforce Retention

Maj William E. Parker IV, USAF

The US Air Force must develop strategies to effectively retain and sustainably build its workforce of 1B4 cyber Airmen. Doing so will be most critical in the next few years as the Air Force continues to increase its contribution to the nation’s cyber mission forces. This study overviews the current cybersecurity human capital environment and explores the evolution of this new breed of warrior and the plan to move this emerging career field from growth to future sustainment. Also examined are public-sector retention study and initiative findings and Department of Defense retention tools—primarily special and incentive pays—for their potential application in supporting cyber Airmen retention. The study concludes with recommendations for initiatives and focus areas to support not only retention of cyber Airmen but also growth and sustainability of this fledgling career field.

Air Force Cyber College logo
60 W. Shumacher Ave.
Building 803, Rooms 47-55
Maxwell AFB, AL  36112

Air Force Cyber College Questions:
DSN: 493-6531 or 493-5637
Commercial: 334-953-6531/5637
AWC.CyberCollege.Org@us.af.mil

 

 

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