For Immediate Release
April 5, 2011

AFA’s CyberFutures Conference Addresses Emerging Cyber Threats, Challenges

Arlington, VA – With the theme “New Strategies for a New Domain,” the Air Force Association’s inaugural CyberFutures Conference and Technology Exposition, held March 31 – April 1, was a one-of-a-kind event that focused on the many challenges the nation faces while operating in the cyber world. This brand new event was the setting for 15 different conference addresses, two panels and CyberPatriot III’s National Finals Competition.

The CyberFutures Conference had the nation’s top cyber security experts speaking on current challenges and future threats associated with the nation’s newest domain, cyberspace. Speakers included Gordon Snow, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division; Greg Schaffer, Assistant Secretary of Cyber Security Communications for the Department of Homeland Security; Maj Gen David Senty, Chief of Staff of Cyber Command; and Vinton Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist of Google. A full list of the schedule can be found here.

“As our nation’s dependency on cyber networks continues to grow, we must look not only at the opportunities and advantages of operating in the cyber realm, but examine the challenges, vulnerabilities and obstacles of this new domain,” said Mike Dunn, President and CEO of AFA. “We welcome the opportunity to provide a forum for dialogue between cyber security experts, industry professionals and the general public, allowing us all to learn more about important topics in cyberspace.”

“Cyber defense is vital to our nation’s future,” said Sandy Schlitt, Chairman of the Board for AFA. “AFA’s CyberFutures Conference was an opportunity to highlight key cyber security issues that are affecting almost all sectors and every organization. It provided a very energetic discussion that directly addressed many of our concerns associated with operating in the cyber world.”

The Conference culminated with the CyberFutures Banquet featuring CyberPatriot Awards, where the winners of CyberPatriot III were announced.

Seventeen teams from all over the country (out of more than 660 who originally registered) competed over the two days for the championship trophy in their division.

Congratulations to the following teams:

Open Division:

• Champions: Red Bank Regional High School, Little Silver, NJ
• Second place: Westview High School, San Diego, CA
• Third Place: Alamo Area Academies, San Antonio, TX

All Service Division:

• Champions: Orlando Civil Air Patrol Squadron, Orlando, FL
• Second Place: Buena High School Army JROTC, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Third Place: Clearfield High School AFJROTC, Clearfield, UT

Altogether, AFA’s CyberFutures Conference was a great venue to learn about the latest strategies for managing the profound new challenges of operating in the nation’s newest domain. Transcripts from the CyberFutures Conference and Technology Exposition will be available at www.AFA.org later this week.

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