TechNet Indo-Pacific 2026

Securing the Future: How Academic Alliances Field The Nation’s Next Generation of Cyber Warriors (Room Honolulu I)

28 Oct 26
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Tracks: Breakout Sessions, DoW CIO Briefings, Workforce & Training

Speaker(s): September Secrist, BOND Advisor, Office of the DoW CIO

The battle for supremacy in the digital domain is won or lost long before an operator ever sits at a terminal. In this high-impact session, September "Tembi" Secrist reveals how the Department of War Cyber Academic Engagement Office is actively reshaping the cyber landscape to deliver immediate, tactical advantages to the U.S. Army and the Joint Force. Attendees will discover how the Department is moving beyond traditional recruiting boundaries to build an elite, mission-ready pipeline through strategic academic partnerships. From inspiring K-12 competitors in CyberPatriot to recruiting elite graduates from the DoW Cyber Service Academy and aligning university curricula directly with the Department Cyber Workforce Framework, this presentation exposes the roadmap for securing a sustained information advantage. Join this session to witness how the Department is transforming academic innovation into operational dominance and preparing the cyber force of tomorrow for the realities of modern warfare.