Latest news with #AFCEA
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- 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
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. ChapterMike Lennon, Rockbridge Shenandoah ChapterTeresa Macalolooy, Dayton-Wright ChapterTim Miller, San Diego ChapterAnnamaria Nassisi, Rome ChapterZeib Parvez, Hampton Roads ChapterDiana Phelps, Emerald Coast ChapterJochen Reinhardt, Bonn e.V. ChapterSenior Master Sgt. Frank Richards, USAF, Alamo ChapterKlint Walker, Atlanta ChapterColt Whittall, Atlanta ChapterKeisha Woods, Northern Virginia Chapter The Harry C. Ingles Award is awarded to chapters that have most significantly contributed to the goals of AFCEA. Winning chapters, which compete against other chapters in the same size category, are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee. The 2025 Ingles Award Winning chapters are Alamo, Central Florida, Tidewater and ArkLaTex. The Distinguished Achievement to the Education Community Award recognizes an AFCEA chapter supporting its local community with scholarships and K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. This year's winner is the Alamo Chapter. The Model Chapter Program requires chapters to report on their overall goals for the coming calendar year that are attainable yet require some effort. These goals are then submitted online to the Member and Chapter Services Department at AFCEA International by early February. The 2025 winners are:Aberdeen, Alamo, ArkLaTex, Atlanta, Belgium, Belvoir, Bethesda, Central Florida, Central Virginia, Dayton-Wright, Emerald Coast, Greater Augusta, Hampton Roads, Hawaii, Indiana, Kaiserslautern, Lexington-Concord, London, Los Angeles, Middle Georgia, Montgomery, North Carolina, Northern Virginia, Oklahoma City, Pacific Northwest, Rockbridge Shenandoah, Rocky Mountain, Rome and Tidewater. The Albert J. Myer Award is given to AFCEA chapters that go above and beyond in membership recruiting and retention. All chapters are considered each year, with the winners based on data and statistics instead of applications or nominations. The 2025 categories and their winners are: Individual Member GrowthBonn e.V. ChapterLos Angeles ChapterNorth Carolina ChapterCentral Virginia ChapterPocono Mountains Chapter Individual Member RetentionBonn e.V. ChapterRocky Mountain ChapterRome ChapterLondon ChapterSlovak ChapterBelgium Chapter Individual Member RecruitingAlamo ChapterLos Angeles ChapterNorth Carolina ChapterCentral Virginia ChapterRockbridge Shenandoah Chapter AchievementBonn e.V. Chapter Small Business AwardsSmall Business of the YearThis award recognizes and honors a small business that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice, such as client service, training and innovation, among others. The 2025 winner is B-Technology, Stephanie Miller, Alamo Chapter. Small Business Advocate of the YearThis award recognizes and honors a mid-size to large company that demonstrates excellence in areas like a demonstrated commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities, the implementation of a formal mentor-protege program, among others. The 2025 awardee is Jessica Morgenstern, CACI International Inc. Small Business Industry Person of the YearThis award recognizes a small business champion that demonstrates excellence in areas like client service, ethics, community and professional outreach, innovation and leadership. The 2025 awardee is Alyssa Martinez of the Alamo Chapter. Small Business Government Person of the YearThis award recognizes a small business champion that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice with the government, such as small business advocacy, leadership, community and professional outreach, among others. The 2025 awardee is Jeff Mellott of the Dayton-Wright Chapter. Engineering & Information Technology AwardsThe Distinguished Award for Excellence in Engineering is AFCEA's highest award for sustained excellence in engineering, and this year's winner is Robert Riepshoff, Leidos, representing the Scott-St. Louis Chapter. The Meritorious Rising Star Award for Achievement in Engineering is a junior/mid-level award in the engineering field. The 2025 awardee is Jaclyn Wilson, Booz Allen Hamilton, of the Lexington-Concord Chapter. The Distinguished Award for Excellence in Emerging Technology is AFCEA's highest award for sustained excellence in emerging technology, and the awardee for 2025 is Mobile Digital Infrastructure, 1st Combat Communications Squadron. The Meritorious Rising Star Award for Achievement in Emerging Technology is a junior/mid-level award in the emerging technology field. The awardee for 2025 is the 90th COS Innovation Team. The Entrepreneurial/R&D Innovation Award is an award that recognizes an individual or team that has an invention or has created an innovative, disruptive technology product, service, process or solution in earlier stage research and development. Brian Knobbs of 10x National Security is the 2025 award recipient in this category. The Technology Innovation Award recognizes an individual or team that has created an innovative and proven new technology product, service, process or solution. For 2025, Resemble AI is proud to have won this award. AFCEA 40 Under Forty AwardsThe AFCEA 40 Under Forty Award is given to 40 individuals ages forty or younger for their significant contributions to the technical STEM fields by providing innovation, thought leadership and support to their clients or organizations using information technology. The 2025 winners are: Nick Andersen, Invictus International Consulting, LLCTech Sgt. 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@
South China Morning Post
31-01-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Don't push Pacific Islands to choose between China and the West, UK admiral says
Published: 2:14pm, 31 Jan 2025 The West should not pressure Pacific Island countries to choose between cooperating with China or with the US and its allies, a British navy admiral has said, pointing out that Beijing's maritime dominance could cast considerable influence over the small island nations. On Wednesday, during the West 2025 conference hosted by the US Naval Institute and AFCEA in San Diego, Rear Admiral James Parkin, responsible for overseeing the development of naval technologies for the British Royal Navy, said the interconnectedness of global trade meant China 'has a trump card of maritime trade that no other nation on the planet's got'. Parkin specifically cited China's shipbuilding infrastructure, which currently outpaces its neighbouring competitors such as South Korea and Japan in the number of ships built per year and dominates more than half of the global share in exports. Beijing 'passed a law that every merchant ship can be changed to be a state-owned vessel in [an] era of combat,' Parkin said. 'So, as well as the silhouettes of warships versus warships … there's another 10,000 state-owned Chinese vessels which could be brought to bear in an era of conflict.' Noting China's dominance at sea, Royal Navy Rear Admiral James Parkin has warned the US and its allies not to pressure Pacific Island nations to choose sides between China and the West. Photo: He added that China could therefore use its fleet to create an 'almost universal maritime trade embargo' which, for the small, isolated Pacific Island countries, would have immediate ramifications.
