On April 10, 2018, Perry Center professors Celina Realuyo and Boris Saavedra participated in an international symposium hosted by the Center for Advanced Naval Studies (CESNAV), the Institute for Strategic Research (ININVESTAM), and the National Defense College (CODENAL) in Mexico City titled “Mexico in the Face of Emerging Threats within an International Security System.” The event was part of an academic exchange between the three institutions and focused on the issues of transnational organized crime and cybersecurity.

Professor Realuyo started the symposium with a presentation about developing a national security strategy to counter transnational threats. She discussed the challenges posed by transnational organized crime networks that have continued to adapt and use increasingly sophisticated tactics to move money and illegal goods across the world, and emphasized the need for integrated and comprehensive policies to counter these threats.

Dr. Boris Saavedra followed with a presentation about cybersecurity challenges. Dr. Saavedra explained that as a domain where attacks can be immediate, anonymous and have global reach, cyberspace presents serious threats to national security interests and requires a policy response from militaries in charge of defending those interests.

The event was attended by more than 104 students from CESNAV’s Master’s Program in National Security and CODENAL’s Master’s Program in Military Administration.