Yesterday, the Perry Center kicked-off the resident portion of its flagship cyber course, “Cybersecurity Policy in the Americas: Challenges for Policy-Strategic Analysis,” led by Dr. Boris Saavedra. For the next two weeks the participants – representing military, public, and private sector organizations from 11 countries in the Americas – will examine challenges to cybersecurity and explore strategies for governance in the cybersecurity domain.

Perry Center Director Dr. Paul Angelo commended the group for dedicating themselves to this important and relevant cause, noting “the vulnerabilities of all our countries to cyberattacks – and the costs they could have in pesos or human lives – call for greater vigilance.”

National Defense University President Lt Gen Michael Plehn also welcomed the group, emphasizing the importance of integrating cyber considerations into all aspects of planning and strategy. “The work of the Perry Center and the material you will cover in this course is vitally important to our cyberspace security and to maintaining the strength and health of our democracies.” He added, “We are partners in this effort…None of us knows everything, but together we can offer superb counsel and support to one another.”

Key objectives of the course are to explore and better understand cybersecurity at the strategic and policy levels, the threats and challenges, and opportunities for greater collaboration. The course incudes a simulation exercise in which participants role play and apply relevant concepts in an evolving cyber threat scenario.