Letter From the CEO and a Year In Review

 

Dear friends of the NCC,

We are fast approaching the end of what has been an unprecedented year. We have all had to adapt to changes and challenges brought on by this global COVID-19 pandemic, and the NCC has continued to press on with its overall mission to Secure the World.  As such, I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, partners, members, volunteers, and community friends – the great work accomplished by the NCC would not be possible without you.

Just a few weeks ago I started a new chapter in my life, and I am honored to take on the role of CEO at the National Cybersecurity Center. I’ve worked in cybersecurity and related areas in numerous senior leadership positions within the Department of Defense, as a special government employee of the Department of Homeland Security, as a senior counselor at The Cohen Group, as Chairman of the Deloitte Center for Cyber Innovation, as a managing partner at RIDGE-LANE Limited Partners, and as a senior advisor to various academic institutions.  I also had the honor of co-chairing the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th presidency where, through the Center for Strategic and International Studies, we published three highly regarded reports over a three-year period.  Later, I served as a senior advisor to the Task Force on Cybersecurity for the 45th presidency.  I could not be more thrilled for this new chapter in my life and to share the coming year with you.

In 2021, we are looking forward to achieving additional NCC success in supporting major initiatives through our executive, operational and administrative functions of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center; Cybersecurity education at all levels, with special focus on our Cyber Education’s Student Alliance and Adult Education Initiative; in providing advice and training to nation-wide legislative bodies through our Secure the Vote program, and through other government, industry, and academic initiatives.

The future of the NCC is bright and I thank you for joining this journey with us.  We wish you and your families happy and healthy holidays, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Sincerely,

Harry D. Raduege, Jr.,

Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret.)

Chief Executive Officer, NCC

2020 Was a Busy Year for the NCC

2020 has been a year like none other. We are so grateful for our employees and partners that have kept us busy during this unprecedented year. Through a pandemic, remote learning, and constant curveballs, the NCC has not only survived but thrived. Take a look at just a few of the things we’ve accomplished this year…

Space ISAC:

• Conducted the first annual Space ISAC government forum
• Launched our general membership and grew the membership base to 24 companies
• Co-hosted the first annual Value of Space Summit with The Aerospace Corporation
• Selected a Threat Intelligence Sharing platform and created the policies to make the process valuable and trusted
• Made strides toward establishing a fully operational Space ISAC headquarters in 2022

Secure the Vote:

• Reviewed 6 successful mobile voting pilots from February to November
• Conducted two presentations at DefCon 2020 in August
• Stood up a Secure the Vote Advisory Board in January
• Hosted four successful webinars between May and October with over 200 attendees on election cybersecurity
• Secured partnership to conduct 50-state cyber hygiene training for state legislators beginning in January 2021

Cyber Education:

• Held 7 cybersecurity camps this year, which was the most camps of any other Center Of Excellence held this year
• Held the largest capture the flag competition in Colorado with over 12 high schools from across Colorado as well as several professionals and college students
• Certified 20 adults in IT Fundamental and Security Pro
• Certified 70 High School students were in IT Fundamentals and Security Pro
• Had community engagements with a diverse group of organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, CyberPatriot, Cool Science Festival, and ISSA
• Taught cybersecurity classes for two local high schools
• Provided cybersecurity curriculum and support for 11 local schools
• Expanded adult education initiative to Kanas and Missouri