WEST POINT
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
SUMMARY
Hosted by the Army Cyber Institute, the West Point Cyber Leaders Conference will offer our nation’s cyber officers a unique, highly
impactful annual leadership development experience. This 2-day event will assemble cyber-focused cadets from West Point, Army
ROTC programs, and other service academies, together with experienced junior cyber officers in the US Army, and leading cyber
experts from industry, government and academia.
NEED
The news is replete with reports of cyber security breaches at major corporations and
federal agencies, critical information held “ransom,” or highly confidential information
being “hacked” and disseminated to the public. Technology impacts everything in
today’s world - including warfighting. Cyberspace operations are critical to our nation
and the Army’s mission, yet the operating rules are different and constantly changing.
Recognizing the need to manage skills learned by soldiers conducting offensive and
defensive cyber operations under a single Army MOS, the Secretary and the Chief of
Staff of the Army authorized the Cyber Branch of the Army in September 2014. Based
on its nationally ranked academic faculty and an internationally renowned officer
education program, West Point was selected as the best site for the Army Cyber
Institute, launched in October 2014. With its integration at the United States Military
Academy, the Army Cyber Institute’s leadership is essential to the Army’s future in
cyberspace. In 2015, West Point graduated the first cohort of Army officers branching
cyber, some of whom will be invited to participate in this conference as junior officers
to motivate, educate, mentor, and inspire the nation’s next generation of cyber leaders.
The annual West Point Cyber Leaders Conference will add an essential component in delivering an Army Cyber Corps that
becomes and remains the best educated, best prepared, best motivated, and best led in the world. The West Point Cyber Leaders
Conference will not only anchor but add the central (winter) component of cadet cyber education over the academic-year through a
cyber conference cycle promoted by ACI, which now includes the Joint Service Academy Cyber Security Summit (spring) and CyCon
(Cyber Conflict) US (autumn).
VISION
During the inaugural 2-day West Point Cyber Leaders Conference, junior cyber Army
officers and other cyber experts will share their operational and leadership experiences
with cyber-focused participants including approximately 60 West Point cadets, 45
selected attendees from Army ROTC programs, and 15 cadets/midshipmen from other
service academies. Distinguished senior leaders from the military, government, and
private sectors will be invited to join the junior officers and cadets, serving as keynote
speakers and senior mentors, for a total conference participant count of 190-200. This
defining event will enrich knowledge, improve skills, and motivate cyber officers who will
lead Army operations on land and in cyberspace. No other service academy or nationally
ranked undergraduate institution currently offers an even remotely comparable
leadership development opportunity for future cyber leaders.
THE WEST POINT CYBER LEADERS CONFERENCE
ENGAGE | EDUCATE | INSPIRE
WEST POINT
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
Conference components will include:
Keynote addresses and panel presentations from distinguished cyber leaders
Senior leaders/mentors will share their experiences and lessons learned serving on Army and DoD Cyber Mission Teams,
and will challenge participants to seek, develop, and refine innovative solutions. These presentations will expose
the cadets, as future cyber leaders, to what they will encounter in the national and international cyberspace domains.
Small group workshops led by the Army’s top company-grade cyber officers
The centerpiece of the conference, these workshops will draw upon the creative and critical thinking skills of participating
cadets in thought-provoking, topical leadership discussions, and will challenge them with realistic exercises to tackle and
solve real-world operational cyber challenges. These workshops will optimize opportunities to brainstorm, mentor, and
focus participants on career development.
The West Point Cyber Leaders Conference will afford a dynamic, inspiring watershed experience for both the small group mentors
and the attending cadets, who in turn will gain confidence, knowledge and motivation to serve and excel as future cyber leaders.
EVALUATION
To ensure continued success, the ACI will evaluate the proceedings of the West Point Cyber Leaders Conference and will report
their assessment and plans for the next year’s event. The commitment is to qualify this annual conference as an unparalleled cyber
education and leadership development chapter in the careers of all participants and reinforce West Point’s international leadership in
cyber education.
MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE NEED
A $2.5 million gift will endow the 2-day West Point Cyber Leaders Conference and provide annual income to support conference
expenses. Anticipated annual budget needs of the conference are estimated as follows:
THE WEST POINT CYBER LEADERS CONFERENCE
ENGAGE | EDUCATE | INSPIRE
Hotels: $45,000
Ground Transportation: $1,300
Food/Beverage: $25,000
Entertainment/Decor: $250
Creative Service: $600
Meeting Rooms: $1,600
Production Services: $3,800
Program Admin: $1,300
Meeting Management: $26,800
RECOGNITION
This 50th Reunion Gift of $2.5 million from the Class of 1970 will
provide the nation’s future cyber leaders a unique leadership
unmatched by any other service academy or university.
Endowing this conference is a major investment in West Point and our
Army’s future. In recognition of the Class’s vision and support, this
event will be named:
The Class of 1970 West Point Cyber Leaders Conference
