By Jaime Jones

On May 19, 2009, the Air Force Institute of Technology Center for Cyberspace Research held its semi-annual Distinguished Review Board and Board of Advisors meeting at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. The presiding official was Maj. Gen. John Maluda, Director, Cyberspace Transformation and Strategy, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration.

The Center for Cyberspace Research presented the latest in cyber research and education as well as its continued role as the Air Force’s Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence. Tremendous advocacy was provided to AFIT CCR and its support of the Air Force cyberspace mission. Maj. Gen. Maluda commented that “The CCR DRB is always an excellent opportunity for great interaction and presentations. This board shows the tentacles AFIT is demonstrating with their outreach.”

The DRB was established to aid the CCR Director in developing, implementing, and evaluating the research and academic programs that promote the growth of cyber professionals for the Department of Defense (DoD). The DRB provides extra-agency reviews in ensuring research and academic programs at CCR are scientifically sound and relevant to the needs of the DoD. The BoA was established to ensure key Air Force representatives provide guidance, oversight, and direction to the Air Force Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence (AF CyTCoE). The organizational makeup of the BoA will ensure current operational issues directly guide the center’s operations and that these activities receive broad advocacy across the Air Force. The BoA will also review applicable training programs with the overall goal of ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to cyberspace education and training.

Other distinguished board members in attendance included representatives from the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Air Force Information Operations Center, Air Force Space Command, and many more. The joint meeting of the DRB and BoA provides the Center for Cyberspace Research with a vision and way-ahead for the ever-changing cyber community.