Security Debrief

Mr. "Ordinary" – An Unassuming Medal of Honor Hero

With cameras rolling, lights blaring and an intent audience before me, I took to the stage at FEMA’s National Recovery and Resiliency Exercise Conference last Wednesday, ready to rock that crowd. That is until an ordinary-looking 23-year-old guy named Dakota Meyer grabbed the microphone and shook me (and everyone else in the room) to my core. This Mr. “Ordinary” is a decent-looking blond dude, but like each of us, it’s what he’s got on the inside that makes his story exceptional. He drove into battle to save his fellow soldiers, saving lives and winning the Medal of Honor in the process.

Underwhelmed by DOD Cyber Strategy

By Frank J. Cilluffo & Sharon L. Cardash

Given the flurry of recent cyber attacks and the significant attention these issues have generated of late, we had high expectations for a forward-leaning DoD Cyber Strategy. Unfortunately we were underwhelmed.

DoD Cyber Plan – A Rare (Theoretical) Policy Home Run

The new DoD Cyber Policy, “DoD Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace,” released on July 14, turned out to be quite a good document in my opinion. It is not without fault, but in Washington, D.C., what is? The document outlines five Strategic Initiatives, all of which touch on where the Defense Cyber folks want to go in the future. The direction is correct and speaks well of the practicality of the Department on an issue that is fraught with way to little of anything grounded in reality. Let’s look at the five initiatives.

Will San Francisco Ever Get It?

San Francisco is beautiful, historic and diverse. But as nice as that city is, I remain disturbed by its anti-military reputation. The SF Police and Human Rights Commission held hearings on Joint Terrorism Task Force operations in San Francisco. The hearings specifically addressed the FBI Domestic Investigations and Operations Guidelines that allow the JTTF to commence an investigation/surveillance without a direct nexus to criminal activity. I wonder if residents of San Francisco and the SFPD will ever “get it.”

Cyber Combat: Act of War

Cyber Combat: Act of War – Wall Street Journal
The Pentagon has concluded that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act of war, a finding that for the first time opens the door for the U.S. to respond using traditional military force.

Appreciating the Lessons of Gardens of Stone

There is solemnity to Arlington National Cemetery that is unique. While there is much that has changed about warfare since the first Union soldiers were interred in Mrs. Lee’s gardens, the carnage of battle and long standing pain of families of those lost in it remains steadfast. So often we are attracted to the ridiculous in life and get wrapped up in the fun of it, all too often forgetting the blood, sweat and tears by which this country was founded. That’s a powerful lesson that should not just be celebrated and shared on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.

A Memorial Day Thank You

Our country is facing some hard times right now, much worse than any time in my lifetime. Despite our problems of today, there still have been millions of great Americans who dedicated their lives to making this country great. As we approach Memorial Day, I would ask that each of us take a moment and thank those who have blazed a path before us and who have built a way of life that all others envy.

Travels: Air Force and OSD Policy "Get It"

It has been a busy couple of days for me, but they have been good ones. I flew down to Maxwell AFB in Alabama to offer the Industry Perspective on Cyber as part of the AF Cyber Operations Executive Course. I also served as moderator for an Executive Luncheon sponsored by the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council, where the guest was Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense, the Honorable Paul Stockton.

U.S. Special Forces – Let’s Sort Out All These "Special" Guys

The take down of Usama Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan and the killing of UBL has created a huge interest in the Special Operations (SO) capabilities our nation possesses. The American people need to be better informed as to who is who in the Special Operations community, simply because so many folks are speaking inaccurately. So here is a run down of the different kinds of “special” heroes who have accepted the high calling of putting the welfare of their country before their own.

Revealing Details of the Bin Laden Operation? Shut the Hell Up!

Like most Americans, I’m happy Osama Bin Laden has been given his just reward. But I have become increasingly angered by the sieve-like qualities coming from Obama Administration and Defense officials who continue to divulge details of the May 1 takedown of Bin Laden. These motor-mouths seem more enchanted with currying and preserving their media relationships than preserving the unique capabilities of our intelligence and military forces.