Attended my first AFCEA DC Luncheon this week and I’m still processing all the incredible takeaways it provided.
1. As I’ve transitioned out of service, joining and being active in organizations like this are of paramount importance - for your business, for your connections back to service, for your situational awareness, and more. Keep your network alive!
2. While examples of the young professionals lacking motivation abound, in this world, I was intellectually outmatched on all levels from the high school interns present to the exceptional NCOs running Space, Cyber, and Data Security at the most senior levels of Defense. You don’t have to predict the future when you have confidence that you can meet any challenge - bring them on!
3. The theme for AFCEA DC’s Luncheon “The Critical Role of Data in Contested Environments” illustrated the need for greater interoperability between industry and government on data transport, CDS, AI, and Cyber solutions. The convergence of these technologies is already reshaping the commercial landscape and societal habits - the IC will classify itself into irrelevancy without bringing more folks into the circle.
4. Air Force Vice Chief GEN Jim Slife is attuned to the needs and long-term implications programming for this change from development to implementation - processes and workflows however, are not. United States Department of Defense doesn’t need to burn down the house to create substantive pathways for accelerating the employment of new technology. It just needs to empower its leaders to make decisions where the information is and trust what comes next.
5. Energy is a national security imperative. Schneider Electric Buildings Critical Systems, Inc. provides the sort of holistic, end-to-end security around these issues to meet these needs -
Scott H. Stalker said it best, CMSgt Kenny Bruce, CMSgt Ron Lerch, and SMSgt Steve Mattson are the types of “NCOs that are the Backbone of the force, both in terms of leadership and intellect,” what a pleasure to get a chance to learn from them for awhile!!
#networkandconnect #Friendssmarterthanme
#departmentofdefense #uscybercom #dataintelligence #SchneiderElectric #cyberresiliency #backboneoftheforce
Tech Product Marketing Leader | IT & Cybersecurity
3wWelcome aboard, Steve Wieland! Looking forward to working with you!