Overview
On September 13-14, over 1,700 IC professionals gathered at the Gaylord National Harbor for INSA and AFCEA's 2021 Intelligence & National Security Summit. Our two day program was jam-packed with informative plenaries, engaging breakout sessions and a busy exhibits hall filled with the latest technology and services innovations.
Selected Media Coverage
- The New York Times: Intelligence Chief Warns that Countries Besides Afghanistan Post a Greater Terror Threat
- CNN: Top US Spy says Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Iraq Represent Greater Terrorist Threat Than Afghanistan
- Bloomberg: U.S. Spy Chief Sees Top Terror Risks from Yemen, Iraq — Not Afghanistan
- ClearanceJobs: 5 Intelligence Community Priorities to Push Forward Today’s National Security Agenda
- Breaking Defense: Afghanistan Has Been ‘Gut-Wrenching,’ ‘Deeply Personal’ For IC: DNI
- VOA News: Blinken Defends US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Defense One: The Marines Are Copying the Air Force's Efforts to Counter Online Disinformation
- AFCEA: Change Headlines Military's Intelligence Needs
- FCW: DOD Wants Industry to Continue with CMMC Prep Amid Program Review
- AFCEA: Tighter Defense Supply Chain Control Doesn't Mean Exclusive Domestic Production
- Fox News: Top Intelligence Officials Say Al Qaeda Could Rebuild in Afghanistan in One to Two Years
- CBS News: Al Qaeda Could Regain Ability to Threaten U.S. in as Little as a Year, Intel Chiefs Say
- PBS: General Promises U.S. 'Surge' Against Foreign Cyberattacks
- Nextgov: FBI Official: Russia is Not Cooperating with U.S. Against Ransomware Threat
- Newsweek: FBI Sees 'No Indication' Russia is Working to Stop Ransomware Attacks
- Cipher Brief: Chris Inglis and the Gather Cyber Storm
- The Hill: General Promises 'Surge' to Fight Ransomware Attacks
- VOA News: US Spots 'Potential Movement' of Al-Qaida to Afghanistan
- AP News: General Promises 'Surge' Against Foreign Cyberattacks
- Washington Examiner: Al Qaeda Could Develop a Capacity to Attack US Homeland in 'One to Two Years,' Intel Officials Say
- Yahoo News: Al-Qaeda Could Regroup in Afghanistan in One to Two Years and Threaten US Homeland, Claims Top Intelligence Official
- The Washington Times: China Following Russian Model with Large-Scale Buildup of Nuclear Forces, Says DIA
- The Washington Times: Al Qaeda Rebuilding for U.S. Attacks in One to Two Years: CIA, DIA
- ClearanceJobs: Getting Talent is a Top Priority for Intelligence Community Leaders
- Geo News: Al Qaeda Can Take a Year or Two to Rebuild in Afghanistan, Say US Officials
- Los Angeles Times: Blinken Faces Barrage of Queries, Criticism from Senators Over Afghanistan Withdrawal
- Breaking Defense: Al-Qaida Fears in Afghanistan, But China Takes Spotlight for IC Leaders
- ExecutiveGov: GEN. Paul Nakasone on Cybersecurity, Foreign Election Interference
- The Washington Post: Still No Signs of Russian Cooperation on Ransomware
- VOA News: US Accuses Russia of Stonewalling on Cybercrime
- Bloomberg Law: U.S. Cyber Chief Says 'Cyber Bullets' Are Part of War on Hacks
Plenary One: State of the Community
Description
DNI Avril Haines clarified the role of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence within the intelligence community and discussed how the intelligence community hopes to partner with industry; intelligence collection efforts in areas where the U.S. does not have a large military footprint; the intelligence communities shift from counterterrorism to strategic threats posed by China, Russia, and other global instability; and what she sees as the biggest challenges for the intelligence community.
Sponsored By:
Participants
- The Honorable Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
- Ms. Letitia Long, Chairman of the Board, Intelligence and National Security Alliance
Breakout Session: Artificial Intelligence and Intelligence Community Tradecraft
Description
The final report of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) began with two convictions: 1) that computers solving problems and performing tasks previously done by humans is world-altering, and 2) that AI is expanding the US window of security vulnerability. In this panel, current and former USG Intelligence Community leaders will discuss the ways in which the IC is postured to meet the complexities posed by AI.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Dr. Rita Bush, Acting Chief, Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research, National Security Agency
- Mr. Gilman Louie, Partner, Alsop Louie Partners
- Dr. Dewey Murdick, Director, Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University
- Mr. Lewis Shepherd, Vice Chair, AFCEA Intelligence Committee and Senior Director, VMWare (moderator)
Breakout Session: Equity and Inclusion in the Intelligence Community
Description
Diversity and inclusion are necessary in the Intelligence Community to increase capabilities and attain mission objectives. Building organizations where differences are celebrated, and tough conversations can occur increases the retention of talented individuals and improves employee engagement. Diversity equals productivity, innovation, effectiveness, and mission achievement. Building a culture of inclusion through effective leadership and management within an agency makes a positive impact across the entire IC that spans decision making globally.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Ms. Jacky Hardy, Global Equality Chair, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Ms. Rosanna Rodgers, Chair for the NRO Hispanic Advisory Network (NHAN), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- Ms. Marlisa Smith, Chief of Staff, National Security Agency (NSA)
- The Honorable Kari Bingen, Chief Strategy Officer, Hawkeye 360 (moderator)
Plenary Two: Military Services' Intelligence Priorities
Description
The Military Services' intelligence leaders discussed traditional, non-traditional, and emerging threats facing U.S. forces, the Intelligence Community, the nation, and the world at large: Is the intelligence enterprise postured for Great Power Competition? Are we postured for information dominance? Are we postured to support space operations? Where are we on the build-out and resources for our cyber forces? Where can industry best help the Military Services overcome gaps and barriers?
Sponsored By:
Participants
- RADM Curt Copley, USN; Director, National Maritime Intelligence Integration; Office Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence
- LtGen Matthew Glavy, USMC; Deputy Commandant, Information, S. Marine Corps
- Mr. Alex Miller, Senior Advisor for S&T and Innovation, HQDA DCS G-2
- Lt Gen Mary O’Brien, USAF; Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force/A2
- Mr. Joseph Rouge, Deputy Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Space Force
- RDML Andrew Sugimoto, USCG; Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, S. Coast Guard
- LtGen Vincent Stewart, USMC (Ret.) Chief, Innovation and Business Intelligence, Ankura Consulting (moderator)
Plenary Three: Protecting DoD Supply Chains
Description
The defense supply chain, which lies at the intersection of national security and industry, is critical to protect. An interagency approach, as well as support from partners and allies, is critical to make supply chains more secure and resilient.
Sponsored By:
Participants
- Dr. Christine Michienzi, Chief Technology Officer, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy
- The Honorable Ellen Lord, Former Undersecretary of Defense, Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense (moderator)
Plenary Four: Strategic Intelligence
Description
Strategic intelligence panelists shared insights into agency priorities, how the agencies are working to mitigate threats, accelerate change, advance talent and recruitment efforts, and how the U.S. is posturing itself in the strategic competition with China.
Sponsored By:
Participants
- Mr. Paul Abbate, Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- LTG Scott Berrier, USA, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- MG Charles Cleveland, USA; Associate Director for Operations, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- The Honorable David Cohen, Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- GEN Paul Nakasone, USA, Commander, Director/Chief, United States Cyber Command, National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service
- The Honorable Dr. Chris Scolese, Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- Ms. Olivia Gazis, Intelligence and National Security Reporter, CBS News (moderator)
Breakout Session: China's Place in U.S. National Security Strategy
Description
Senior officials from the executive branch and Congress discussed the Biden Administration’s approach to national security challenges posed by China. Panelists addressed efforts to engage regional and global allies, Defense Department strategies, intelligence priorities, and need for public-private partnerships to develop advanced technologies. Speakers also addressed Congress’s approach to addressing China through investments in military capabilities, economic capacity, supply chain resiliency, and advanced technologies.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Dr. Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
- Ms. Lara Crouch, Professional Staff Member, United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)
- Mr. Robert Daly, Director, Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars
- Mr. Wayne Ullman, Defense Intelligence Officer for East Asia, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Ms. Bay Fang, President, Radio Free Asia (moderator)
Breakout Session: Commercial Space and National Security
Description
America's domination in Space has allowed unimpeded overmatch in the areas of communications, position, navigation, and tracking, and ISR. This domain superiority has been facilitated by public entities whose R&D, capability development, and innovation have served as catalysts for enhanced satisfaction of Space related missions. Other nations, however, are challenging U.S. superiority and greater public-partner partnerships are needed to thwart threats. The panel will look at how that partnership can be improved, what policy issues are emerging from the Executive Branch, where the government needs greater public sector assistance, and what are the pros and cons of greater private sector support.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Mr. Dave Gauthier, Director, Commercial and Business Operations, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Mr. Steve Kitay, Senior Director, Azure Space, Microsoft
- Ms. Audrey Schaffer, Director for Space Policy, National Security Council, The White House
- Col. Tim Trimailo, USAF, Materiel Leader, CASINO Program Office, Innovation and Prototyping Directorate, SMC Development Corps, Space and Missile Systems Center
- Mr. Chuck Beames, Chairman, SmallSat Alliance (moderator)
Breakout Session: Development and Acquisition of Advanced Technologies
Description
The United States national security enterprise must increase the development and deployment speed of advanced technologies to keep pace with the threats of today and tomorrow. Requirements overspecification, risk aversion and a lack of appropriate expertise, system engineering rigor early testing and prototyping, and realism in estimating time and funding slow the development and acquisition process.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Dr. Roger Mason, President, Space & Intelligence Sector, Peraton
- Ms. Dawn Meyerriecks, Former Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology
- Mr. Jason Potter, Professional Staff Member Senate Armed Services Committee
- Dr. Lisa Porter, Co-President, LogiQ (moderator)
Breakout Session: Enhancing Software Supply Chain Security
Description
Through repeated exploitation of software vulnerabilities, hackers have disrupted government operations and essential services in multiple critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, finance, and agriculture. This panel examined threats that software vulnerabilities pose to government, critical infrastructure, and commercial industry operations; efforts to mitigate supply chain weaknesses and improve cybersecurity practices; information sharing between government and the private sector; and potential policy and technology solutions.
Download Recap (PDF)Participants
- Ms. Theresa Campobasso, Senior Account Manager for National Security and Intelligence, Exiger Federal Solutions
- Mr. Monty McGee, Associate Director, Cyber Readiness Institute
- Ms. Jeanette McMillian, Deputy Assistant Director for Supply Chain, National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC)
- Mr. Dustin Volz, Cybersecurity and Intelligence Reporter, The Wall Street Journal (moderator)
Plenary Five: Cybersecurity Challenges Keynote
Description
The new Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD) was established to operationalize the recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission Report. The office aims to provide oversight of federal cybersecurity monies, build coherence into the U.S. government’s cybersecurity strategy, and establish stronger public-private partnerships in cybersecurity. The NCD is still in its nascent stages, but Mr. Inglis is hopeful that it can and will make an impact on the nation’s cybersecurity in the long run.
Participants
- The Honorable Chris Inglis, National Cyber Director, Executive Office of the President; Former Deputy Director, NSA; Former Commissioner, Cyberspace Solarium Commission
- Ms. Suzanne Kelly, CEO and Publisher, The Cipher Brief (moderator)
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Thank you to our Media Partners!