AFCEA International Announces The Cyber Edge Writing Award Winners for 2025
Top 3 articles to be published in SIGNAL Magazine
The Cyber Edge Writing Award
Fairfax, Virginia, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The challenges from individual and nation-state cyber adversaries continue to grow, making the future of cyber warfighting a whole-of-government, as well as an industry and academia set of problems. In AFCEA International's sixth annual The Cyber Edge Writing Award, sponsored by ManTech, 51 cyber experts challenged themselves to write articles that addressed this year's theme: 'Cyber Defense for Critical Infrastructure,' all vying for cash prizes and recognition of their work.
'Innovation is at the heart of the connections that AFCEA International seeks to foster between government, military, industry and academia,' said AFCEA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence, USA (Ret.), adding that 'to advance that innovation, AFCEA's own SIGNAL Media has prioritized encouraging and curating innovation among writers—particularly those learning or operating in the cyber environment—through this enormously successful contest and award that recognizes diverse cyber talents.'
AFCEA could not carry out this important function without the support of our partner ManTech, which has sponsored the award for each of the six years that the competition has been produced. 'The future of warfare is happening right now, driven by sophisticated cyber attacks with the power to crash critical infrastructure, at will,' said Chris Cleary, vice president of ManTech's Cyber Practice. 'Winners of this year's Cyber Edge Award show the best way to combat these threats: commitment to a strategy that deters, defends and dominates in the cyber battlespace."
A panel of judges, which includes members of AFCEA's Cyber, Homeland Security, Technology and Intelligence Committees, reviewed the submissions to help select the winners.
Participants were asked to submit articles identifying threats and offering novel solutions, including emerging technologies, training, tactics, techniques, procedures, policies and partnerships. The example problem presented was Volt Typhoon, the criminal hacker group backed by the Chinese Communist Party.
The winners will receive engraved awards, monetary prizes and recognition during an awards ceremony on May 5, 2025, in conjunction with TechNet Cyber, a flagship AFCEA International event. Most importantly, their articles will be published in the July issue of SIGNAL Magazine and posted online to SIGNAL Media.
The Cyber Edge Writing Award winners for 2025 are as follows:
The third-place award recipient is Matthew Maynard, with his article titled 'Moving Beyond Traditional Risk Labels: Redefining Patch Management.' Maynard is a cybersecurity researcher with more than 18 years of experience in information technology and information security. He currently serves as an incident response analyst III and purple team lead at BJC HealthCare, where he focuses on proactive threat hunting, adversary emulation and strengthening cyber defenses in the health care sector. Outside of his role at BJC, Maynard specializes in researching dark web forums and cyber criminal ecosystems. He is also a regular contributor to cybersecurity, having presented at events including RSAC, ShowMeCon and the CISO Platform.
In second place, Staff Sgt. Logan Houston, USAF, penned the article 'Silence on Cyber Crimes Endangers Critical Infrastructure.' Houston is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, serving at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Directorate. He specializes in system administration, scripting and automation. He has also previously written for Crosstalk: The Defense Software Engineering Journal. Houston holds an associate's degree in information systems technology and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in software engineering from Arizona State University.
The first-place award recipient is Evans Mugari, who wrote an article titled 'Kyyivstar Cyber Attack: A Deep Dive into Cyber Warfare in Ukraine.' Mugari is an ardent advocate for cybersecurity, dedicating his career to safeguarding digital landscapes. With a deep-rooted passion for protecting data integrity and privacy, Mugari has immersed himself in various aspects of cybersecurity, from ethical hacking to network security. His journey began with a fascination for technology's potential and its vulnerabilities, leading him to pursue specialized education and certifications in the field. Mugari often shares his insights through workshops, blogs and conferences. Murgari is also a vocal proponent for cybersecurity education, aiming to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge to navigate the digital world securely.
Details about the 2025-26 contest will be available in fall 2025.
###
AFCEA International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit international professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally. Established in 1946, the membership association serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum. This enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve. AFCEA operates under the guidance of a board of directors, international staff and committees. A large network of chapters is managed by a group of regional vice presidents. Join online.
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17-04-2025
- Yahoo
AFCEA International Announces The Cyber Edge Writing Award Winners for 2025
Top 3 articles to be published in SIGNAL Magazine The Cyber Edge Writing Award Fairfax, Virginia, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The challenges from individual and nation-state cyber adversaries continue to grow, making the future of cyber warfighting a whole-of-government, as well as an industry and academia set of problems. In AFCEA International's sixth annual The Cyber Edge Writing Award, sponsored by ManTech, 51 cyber experts challenged themselves to write articles that addressed this year's theme: 'Cyber Defense for Critical Infrastructure,' all vying for cash prizes and recognition of their work. 'Innovation is at the heart of the connections that AFCEA International seeks to foster between government, military, industry and academia,' said AFCEA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence, USA (Ret.), adding that 'to advance that innovation, AFCEA's own SIGNAL Media has prioritized encouraging and curating innovation among writers—particularly those learning or operating in the cyber environment—through this enormously successful contest and award that recognizes diverse cyber talents.' AFCEA could not carry out this important function without the support of our partner ManTech, which has sponsored the award for each of the six years that the competition has been produced. 'The future of warfare is happening right now, driven by sophisticated cyber attacks with the power to crash critical infrastructure, at will,' said Chris Cleary, vice president of ManTech's Cyber Practice. 'Winners of this year's Cyber Edge Award show the best way to combat these threats: commitment to a strategy that deters, defends and dominates in the cyber battlespace." A panel of judges, which includes members of AFCEA's Cyber, Homeland Security, Technology and Intelligence Committees, reviewed the submissions to help select the winners. Participants were asked to submit articles identifying threats and offering novel solutions, including emerging technologies, training, tactics, techniques, procedures, policies and partnerships. The example problem presented was Volt Typhoon, the criminal hacker group backed by the Chinese Communist Party. The winners will receive engraved awards, monetary prizes and recognition during an awards ceremony on May 5, 2025, in conjunction with TechNet Cyber, a flagship AFCEA International event. Most importantly, their articles will be published in the July issue of SIGNAL Magazine and posted online to SIGNAL Media. The Cyber Edge Writing Award winners for 2025 are as follows: The third-place award recipient is Matthew Maynard, with his article titled 'Moving Beyond Traditional Risk Labels: Redefining Patch Management.' Maynard is a cybersecurity researcher with more than 18 years of experience in information technology and information security. He currently serves as an incident response analyst III and purple team lead at BJC HealthCare, where he focuses on proactive threat hunting, adversary emulation and strengthening cyber defenses in the health care sector. Outside of his role at BJC, Maynard specializes in researching dark web forums and cyber criminal ecosystems. He is also a regular contributor to cybersecurity, having presented at events including RSAC, ShowMeCon and the CISO Platform. In second place, Staff Sgt. Logan Houston, USAF, penned the article 'Silence on Cyber Crimes Endangers Critical Infrastructure.' Houston is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, serving at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Directorate. He specializes in system administration, scripting and automation. He has also previously written for Crosstalk: The Defense Software Engineering Journal. Houston holds an associate's degree in information systems technology and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in software engineering from Arizona State University. The first-place award recipient is Evans Mugari, who wrote an article titled 'Kyyivstar Cyber Attack: A Deep Dive into Cyber Warfare in Ukraine.' Mugari is an ardent advocate for cybersecurity, dedicating his career to safeguarding digital landscapes. With a deep-rooted passion for protecting data integrity and privacy, Mugari has immersed himself in various aspects of cybersecurity, from ethical hacking to network security. His journey began with a fascination for technology's potential and its vulnerabilities, leading him to pursue specialized education and certifications in the field. Mugari often shares his insights through workshops, blogs and conferences. Murgari is also a vocal proponent for cybersecurity education, aiming to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge to navigate the digital world securely. Details about the 2025-26 contest will be available in fall 2025. ### AFCEA International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit international professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally. Established in 1946, the membership association serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum. This enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve. AFCEA operates under the guidance of a board of directors, international staff and committees. A large network of chapters is managed by a group of regional vice presidents. Join online. Attachment The Cyber Edge Writing Award CONTACT: Howard Wahlberg AFCEA International 7036316199 media@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
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AFCEA International Honors Its Spring 2025 Awards Winners
International Organization Recognizes Chapters and Members for Excellence in Information Technology and C5ISR Fairfax, VA, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AFCEA International recently announced its award winners across a host of categories, recognizing achievements in information technology in support of military and government missions to defend the nation, maintain global security and secure the homeland. Winners will be honored at a special dinner and awards ceremony at one of AFCEA's flagship events, TechNet Cyber, taking place May 6-8 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Chairman's Superior Performance Award recognizes a members' superior service to AFCEA over a sustained period. Winners "set the example" for others as dedicated volunteers who are active at all levels of the association and have shown sustained leadership over more than 10 years. This year's winners, with the local chapter they are associated with, are: Carey Bandler, Northern Virginia ChapterCol. Dean Fox, USAF (Ret.), Alamo ChapterVenice M. Goodwine, Department of the Air ForceLt. Gen. ITAF (Ret.) Antonio Tangorra, Rome Chapter The Gen. James M. Rockwell recognition is AFCEA's premier award, given for exemplary service to AFCEA over the past year. Winners are selected by an appointed committee. This year's winner is Cynthia Pacheco, with the Hawaii Chapter. The Adm. Jon L. Boyes medal is AFCEA's premier award, given for exceptional career service to AFCEA. This year's award goes to Jim Lauducci, with the Washington D.C. Chapter. The Leadership Award is given to a long-standing member of AFCEA with a record of sustained contributions to the association and exceptional leadership skills at a senior level. The 2025 awardees are: Hillary Boyce, Hampton Roads ChapterRyan Cox, Northern Virginia ChapterArmin Fleischmann, Bonn e.V. Chapter Michael Lane Gilchrist Jr. , Los Angeles ChapterDan Mathews, Los Angeles ChapterJessica Morgenstern, Central Maryland ChapterBarbara Schleben, ArkLaTex ChapterJeff Thompson, Rockbridge Shenandoah Chapter The Medal of Merit award is for a sustained level of dedicated service to AFCEA, combined with professional excellence at a mid- to senior-level in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence and information systems. The 2025 awardees are: Maj. Charles Brice, USA (Ret.), Alamo ChapterShawn Cressman, Alamo ChapterKrystin Fakalata, Dayton-Wright ChapterAmelia Fisher, Dayton-Wright ChapterThomas Galligan, Atlanta ChapterAlison Gonzalez, Northern Virginia ChapterJames Hanson, Washington D.C. ChapterJoe Haulton, Central Florida ChapterFiorella Lamberti, Rome ChapterD'Joane McCorkle, Atlanta ChapterLt. Col. Jason Simmons, USAF (Ret.), Rocky Mountain ChapterShanna Staten, Dayton-Wright ChapterValerie Wilder, Tidewater ChapterStacy Vaughn, Atlanta Chapter The Meritorious Service Award is an early- to mid-career award for meritorious contributions to AFCEA and the community, and for professional accomplishments. The 2025 awardees are: Sameer Aggarwal, Los Angeles ChapterBrent Ahlers, Dayton-Wright ChapterThelma Barker, Washington D.C. ChapterMonte Blakely, Central Maryland ChapterDoan Chau, Belvoir ChapterNirali Chawla, Northern Virginia ChapterMaster Sgt. Nicho Chung, USAF, Alamo ChapterKatherine Fredlund, Central Florida ChapterMichael Gonzalez, Hawaii ChapterLt. Col. Justin Handley, USAF, Tidewater ChapterJessica Hersey, Washington D.C. ChapterAndreas Höher, Bonn e.V. ChapterKelly Jenne, Hampton Roads ChapterAnnie John, Washington D.C. 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Evan Bartholmey, USAF, 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance WingAnnie Beckman, USAMaster Sgt. Felicia Boccia, USAF, 35th Intelligence SquadronFernando Browning, Air Force Research LabFrank L. Cox, KorevarianceJessica Dapelo, Jessica Dapelo Enterprises Inc. Michelle Dreimann, Palo Alto NetworksMaddie Durham, Marathon TSJarrod Echols, CensysJohn Eubank, 10x National SecurityTim Fahl, Owl Cyber DefenseChristopher Gaube, Capgemini Deutschland GmbHMaster Sgt. Cody Goodin, U.S. Space ForceCheyenne Hasse, TEKsystemsJoquin Inungaray, 693 Intelligence Support SquadronLt. Col. Justin James, USA, U.S. Army Pacific Jacob Klein, Virginia Military InstituteOscar Mancia, Ignite Digital ServicesSean McGinty, Delta 6 Detachment 1Senior Master Sgt. Steven Miller, USAF, 432 Aircraft Communications Maintenance SquadronJennifer Miller, Defense Health AgencyRobert Morgan, Beyond Ordinary Software SolutionsHung Joseph Nguyen, 1st Combat Communications SquadronNiloo Norton, FlashpointSkyler Onken, Twenty Committee LLCSean Papso, Invictus International Consulting, LLCViplav Patel, CALIBREMatt Ryan, OracleAndy Sauer, Sentinel BlueEllen Severson, Defense Finance and Accounting ServiceColby Shomaker, Gridiron IT Solutions, LLCMelisa N. Stivaletti, GuidehouseAlexandria Swope, Department of the Air ForceMaj La'Neishea Taylor, USAF, 83 NOSKevin Thiele, Accenture GmbHJason Thomas, USAFE-AFAFRICA A6Greg Tomchick, Valor CybersecurityJonathan M. Villalobos, NAVWAR PEO DigitalChristian Weber, Capgemini ### AFCEA International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit international professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally. Established in 1946, the membership association serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum. This enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve. AFCEA operates under the guidance of a board of directors, international staff and committees. A large network of chapters is managed by a group of regional vice presidents. Join online. CONTACT: Howard Wahlberg AFCEA International 703-631-6199 hwahlberg@
Yahoo
31-03-2025
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Domestic Footwear Makers Push Washington to Prioritize ‘Made in the USA'
American producers and innovators within the footwear supply chain are attempting to find their footing in a modern manufacturing landscape where rhetoric doesn't always match up with resolve. Two months into President Donald Trump's second term, talk of tariffs has put the U.S. at odds with many of its trade allies across the globe. The Commander in Chief's stated goal has been to usher in a new golden era of American manufacturing; with supply chains having gone global decades ago, however, results so far have been mixed. More from Sourcing Journal Trump Threatens to 'Take Back' Control of Panama Canal Canada's Trudeau Could Be Ousted Due to Trump's Tariff Threats Trump Taps China Hawk Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative But with the eyes of the country focused for the first time in years on American manufacturing, the country's footwear makers perceive a long-awaited window to make their presence felt and their goals understood by those in power. The U.S. Footwear Manufacturing Association (USFMA) held its annual meeting in Washington last week, bringing together dozens of representatives from fabric mills, technology and machinery providers, producers of midsole foams, soles and components, 3D-printing pioneers and academics seeking to do just that. According to the group's leadership, who guided members through meetings with lawmakers on The Hill, there's low-hanging fruit to be plucked, namely in the form of government contracts and funding for military applications. Capturing these opportunities could give American makers the runway to develop the capacity and scale they need to drive more commercial business through their doors, they believe. The Department of Defense (DoD) has indeed funneled funds into optimizing military footwear in recent years, and much of that money has gone to research and development for advanced wearable technologies and performance fabrications. For fiscal year 2026, USFMA is requesting that the DoD's Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program supply the U.S. footwear industry with $15 million to strengthen the domestic supply chain. This money, USFMA's executive director Bill McCann said, would allow for the creation of new pilot lines and small-scale footwear production in the U.S. Currently, it would take at least a year and a half for the country's military textile and footwear industrial base to ramp up to a point where it could meet the needs of the nation's armed services in a real conflict scenario, he said, pointing to a DoD study conducted last year. In effect, the U.S. can't outfit its own military without the help of offshore suppliers and trade adversaries like China. The group is also pushing for support for the Better Outfitting Our Troops Act (BOOTS), which would tighten up uniform standards for military service members, requiring them to wear Berry Amendment compliant American-made boots. Currently, about half of the footwear being worn by servicemembers for base duty (about 250,000 pairs) is purchased from overseas brands or companies engaged in offshore production. At a meeting with U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), USFMA members solicited support for the bill and capital investments in footwear manufacturing, with McCann telling the Congresswoman that funding would give U.S. makers 'the critical mass that will allow the supply chain to support not just the military, but also the commercial growth that we're striving for.' 'Currently, about 1 percent of the footwear purchased in the United States is made here,' he explained. 'We would like to get that to 3, 4, 5 percent.' Kevin McCoy, head of Boston-based New Balance's Made in the USA business centered in New England, told Trahan about the company's recent investments in advanced manufacturing technology and upskilling workers. Funding from the government would allow for further R&D surrounding fit, comfort and performance to support 'arguably the world's most elite athletes, the U.S. armed forces.' The 119-year-old brand recently launched an innovation center down the street from its headquarters, a factory in New Hampshire that McCoy said would serve as a 'lighthouse' guiding the future of footwear manufacturing for the brand, and a 112,000-square-foot facility in Maine where much of that learning will be applied. 'There's kind of an old school way of making shoes, and we're trying to merge that craftsmanship with technology,' he said. New Balance intends these new facilities to act as 'the birthplace of the manufacturing revolution—how we're going to put shoes together that will enable us to really leapfrog what Asian manufacturing looks like.' Asked by Trahan what she might notice that's different from a traditional factory, McCoy said a visitor would see 'a heavy dose of technology, heavy dose of robotics, a much cleaner, much brighter single-floor, easy-to-comprehend manufacturing layout, and a lot less potential risks for the individuals to get hurt.' 'We're trying to upskill that entire environment and then backfill it into each one of our facilities,' he explained. 'We're looking to make product that looks different than what we make right now,' he added—both for the military and American shoppers. With the recent integration of new tech, workers have quickly recognized that AI and automated processes aren't out for their jobs, McCoy added. Learning how to operate advanced machinery and perpetuate new processes may actually spur interest that the manufacturing sector hasn't seen from recent generations of the American workforce, he believes. Trahan noted that her grandmother, a Brazilian immigrant, worked in a textile mill in Lowell, Mass. upon arriving in the U.S. Cutting the ribbon at New Balance's Methuen, Mass. facility some years later, 'was just a reminder, looking out on that floor, of what's possible in just a generation's time,' she said. 'These aren't traditional manufacturing jobs,' added Charles Abrams, CEO of Dela, Inc., a Haverhill, Mass. engineered foam supplier to New Balance. New equipment will provide better opportunities for the local workforce while also driving efficiency, he said. 'These new technologies allow us to make much better product with much less going in the landfill.' McCann noted that USFMA has been fielding interest from American brands, especially small- and medium-sized players, looking to onshore some portion of production. Trahan was interested in what might be driving those appetites, and McCann attributed them to the changing trade landscape, with tariffs at the center. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, too, brands have been increasingly seeking smaller production runs made closer to home. Trahan asked whether that could that spell opportunity for Massachusetts and New England at large, once regarded as the 'footwear manufacturing capital' of the U.S. 'This investment [from the DoD] will help us get there, and it will raise the board across all the manufacturers all the suppliers,' McCoy said. A boost, a leg up, and some confidence from lawmakers in the potential of the industry would make a world of difference, USFMA members from across the country told Sourcing Journal. Funding would give a burgeoning national supply chain the chance to up its capabilities and its capacity, driving down the high cost of production that has hindered many brands from onshoring. John Simon, president of South Carolina's Signet Mills, said the company hasn't seen the uptick in interest from American brands that some in the group had experienced, and bemoaned the fact that most large American companies aren't willing to invest in fostering the growth of the domestic supply chain. Some small percentage shift in sourcing from household name retailers and brands would be a difference-maker for those upstream, he said. In the absence of that support, the engineered fabric maker has shifted away from the apparel industry entirely, focusing on automotive and industrial applications. And now, appealing to the federal government for contracts that support its ability to outfit American service members. The road to self-sufficiency and true verticalization will be long if those opportunities do materialize. With so much soft-goods production having fled to cheaper pastures in recent decades, so too have the industries that supported apparel and footwear manufacturing. 'Some of the more fundamental materials are not available domestically, because all the volume resides outside of the U.S. The large chemical companies, for example, are manufacturing those base materials in those regions, and they have no reason to manufacture them here, so we have to import those products,' Vincent Bonaddio of Massachusetts-based Rogers Foam said. Asked whether he believes there will always be some level of dependency on offshore production, Bonaddio said such industries are unlikely to return to the U.S. in the absence of an industry operating at scale, even though many of these materials and components were historically manufactured stateside. 'As volume picks up here, there could be opportunities to move them back, because it's in our best interest. It starts on the military side, and then it works into the consumer side.' In the near term, he fears that tariffs may hinder U.S. producers. 'It hurts because the raw materials that would go into products are going to be impacted, and we're just not prepared to have those materials manufactured here.' But U.S. footwear manufacturers are a scrappy bunch and are unlikely to be deterred by tenuous market conditions or geopolitical strife. Chugging along with dwindling support for so long has forced them to harden their resolve, innovate quicker and band together for survival. Kuba Graczyk, founder of Los Angeles-based 3D-printed footwear startup Koobz, believes against the odds (of which these producers are continually reminded) that there are still ample openings for American shoemakers to make their mark, especially as technological trailblazers. A relative newcomer to the industry by way of advanced robotics for the automotive sector, Graczyk, also a recent immigrant to the U.S., said there's no reason to approach lawmakers or the industry from a supplicant standpoint. 'We have to dream big, we have to aim high—and why limit ourselves to 5 percent? Why can we not do 100 percent of footwear manufacturing in the United States and export the excess to other countries?' It's a lofty goal, he recognizes. But the upstart, which has pioneered a unique 3D-printing process for mono-material, single-piece footwear, is already making inroads with household-name brands and A-list tastemakers, with plans to debut its first commercial projects in the coming months. 'If we go for 3 percent, we'll get a half percent. If we pitch for 100 percent, we'll get 50, or maybe even 40,' he said. Many in the industry—and even his peers—might balk at the idea that U.S. footwear production could ever claw back a double-digit share of the market. But rather than begging for business and operating from a place of humility, Graczyk said that if the sector can 'push from a position of innovation and confidence and pitch that we can be great and as a group—that we have great ideas on how to bring this manufacturing to the United States—we will be much more successful.' 'Being more bullish, that's what we need to do,' he added.
