WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of War Office of the Chief Information Officer will engage government, academic, and industry leaders at the AFCEA International’s Cyber Workforce Summit 2.0, March 24-26, at National Defense University on Fort McNair.
The three-day event will focus on strengthening the DoW’s cyber workforce to meet evolving operational demands in the information environment.
As cyber operations remain central to modern warfare, the DoW continues to prioritize the development of a highly skilled, mission-ready cyber workforce. Cyber Workforce Summit 2.0 brings together stakeholders from across the cyber community to align policy, strategy, and talent development initiatives critical to success in cyberspace.
“Our cyber workforce is the first line of defense against those who threaten our nation,” said Honorable Kirsten Davies, DoW CIO. “As cyber threats evolve rapidly, it’s critical that our cyber warriors have the tools, skills, and resources to stay ahead of our adversaries. This summit is a key moment to strengthen relationships, drive modernization, and ensure our workforce is prepared to defend the homeland, now and in the future.”
The summit’s agenda extends beyond the DoW CIO’s office to encompass a whole-of-Department approach to cyber workforce readiness. While DoW CIO experts will provide the technical roadmap for the DoD 8140 Qualification Program and Cyber Excepted Service, the dialogue expands to include the Service CIOs, who will detail how these frameworks are being operationalized across the Services.
Furthermore, the event will feature critical updates on the Department’s talent pipelines—specifically the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program—alongside strategic direction from the Office of the secretary of War on Cyber Policy to align individual readiness with national policy.
Senior leaders from U.S. Cyber Command, the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Joint Staff, and the Service CIOs will share first-hand perspectives on strategic vision and operational priorities shaping cyber operations across the Department.
“This summit is vital to our cyber workforce because solving today’s challenges requires innovative thinking beyond the status quo,” said Mark Gorak, principal director for Resources and Analysis within the DoW CIO. “It gives attendees a direct opportunity to engage with the leaders driving that innovation and to share their own ideas and concerns. We’re already turning collaboration into action through initiatives like a skills-based hiring pilot and cross-sector rotational programs—key efforts to reduce cyber vacancies and build the agile, mission-ready workforce our nation requires.”
The Summit will also feature engagement opportunities with leading industry and academic partners, showcasing innovative technologies, training methodologies, and workforce development solutions through exhibits and presentations.
A key highlight of Cyber Workforce Summit 2.0 will be the Cyber Workforce Competition, wherein teams from the U.S. Service Academies and Senior Military Colleges will compete against mock opposing force. This competition will demonstrate emerging cyber tactics, techniques, and procedures and serve to close out the event with an awards presentation recognizing top-performing teams and excellence in cyber workforce development.
Cyber Workforce Summit 2.0 offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from Department leadership, connect with subject matter experts, and gain insight into the path forward for cyber workforce readiness in support of operations in the information environment.
For additional information, including registration details, interviews with DoW CIO officials and agenda updates, please visit https://www.afcea.org/events/cyber-workforce-summit.