EUCOM J6 discusses cyber sovereignty at inaugural Marshall Center course

Photo By Karlheinz Wedhorn | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Welton Chase Jr., U.S. European Command’s director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber discusses issues of cyber sovereignty and policy Dec. 12 during the inaugural Program on Cyber Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. (DOD photo by Karlheinz Wedhorn/RELEASED)  

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, BY, GERMANY

12.18.2014

Story by Christine June 

George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – U.S. European Command’s director of Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber discussed cyber security and policy during the first-ever Program on Cyber Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies here Dec. 12.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Welton Chase Jr. addressed cyber security and policy issues with 67 participants from 47 countries.

"Understanding and managing the inherent risks in cyberspace is critical to the collective security of the United States as well as our allies and partners,” Chase said. “The Marshall Center's new program on cyber security studies provides a valuable venue for leaders to understand the lexicon, best practices, and current initiatives for securing our systems and assuring our information.”

This transnational course is the center’s inaugural program on cyber security studies and provides an opportunity for participants to discuss and address the many challenges in the cyber environment while adhering to the fundamental values of democratic society. This first class began Dec. 3 and will end Dec. 19.

“We are focusing on areas that are not just within the normal department of defense or ministry of defense lanes or areas of expertise, but are also examining whole-of-government approaches in addressing cyber security issues and challenges,” said Professor Philip Lark, the PCSS course director, who was instrumental in developing this course for the Marshall Center. “In particular, we will look at things like Internet governance, Internet freedom, combating terrorism and cyber crime, developing public and private partnerships, and exploring other cyber-related policy issues.”

Lark added that PCSS helps participants appreciate the nature and magnitude of today's cyber threats and develops a common understanding of the lexicon, best practices and current initiatives within the public and private cyber sectors.

The program’s participants are senior government officials with the professional knowledge and capabilities to deal with transnational cyber security challenges. The course is tailored for senior officials responsible for developing or influencing cyber legislation, policies or practices in their countries.

During his remarks, Chase analyzed the complexity of the cyber environment and the roles that cyber actors play; gave an overview of the threat landscape and challenges faced in Europe and at European Command; existing cyber policy; and high-level cyber operations and partnering. Specifically, Chase discussed mutual training opportunities and exercises to enhance cyber capabilities, interoperability and resiliency.

The Marshall Center is a unique German-American partnership with a transnational mission to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships, especially in the field of defense, promoting active, peaceful security cooperation, and enhancing enduring partnerships throughout the world.

The Marshall Center conducts a variety of unique programs involving, to date, officials from more than 110 countries. The center's resident programs have a long-term academic focus, while its non-resident programs focus on current issues and problem solving. Graduate support specialists work to maintain contact with and support more than 10,000 Marshall Center alumni.

The Marshall Center offers eight resident programs that examine complex transnational, regional and international security issues: Program on Terrorism and Security Studies; Program on Applied Security Studies; Program on Security Sector Capacity Building; Seminar on Regional Security; Seminar on Transnational Civil Security; Program on Countering Narcotics and Illicit Trafficking; Senior Executive Seminar; and, PCSS.

Those interested in attending a Marshall Center resident program, call the Registrar’s Office at [phone]/2530/2327 or DSN 314-4402-656/530/327, or email [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 12.18.2014
• Date Posted: 12.19.2014 09:26
• Story ID: 150724
• Location: GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, BY, DE