Session 1:      Operations in Cyber Space

Speaker: COL Barry Hensley, AGNOSC Director

Cyberspace is the domain that transcends the four physical domains and is characterized by the use of electronics and the electromagnetic spectrum to create, store, modify, and exchange data via networks across the operational environment. Cyberspace is composed of hundreds of thousands of interconnected computers, servers, routers, switches, and fiber optic cables that allow our critical infrastructures to work. Thus, the healthy functioning of cyberspace is essential to our economy and our national security. The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace was developed to address the threat in cyberspace by (1) preventing cyber attacks against America’s critical infrastructures, (2) reduce national vulnerability to cyber attacks, and (3) minimize damage and recovery time from cyber attacks that do occur. In this session, we’ll examine the challenges to securing and operating in this new frontier.

Session 2:      Organizing for the NetOps Fight

Speaker: LTC Thomas Keller, AGNOSC Current Operations

Network Operations (NetOps) is critical to successfully providing net-centric services support to the Warfighter. Its principles allow for active involvement, coordination, status sharing, and cooperation of service providers resulting in efficient management of networks and information systems throughout the Global Information Grid.  This session will examine and address the organizations involved in the execution of NetOps across the strategic, operational and tactical boundaries.  It will also address their roles, duties and responsibilities as well as identify which relationships are formalized and which ones are provided through a unity of effort.

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Session 3:      LandWarNet Defense:  A Layered Approach

Speaker: LTC Glenn Herrin, AGNOSC Enterprise

Defense in depth is not achieved by establishing one thick line or putting a number of identical checks in series, but instead by setting up echelons of different obstacles that are observed and covered with fires.  Defending networks is not fundamentally different.  This session addresses the Army's general approach to defending networks by service by echelon, and discussing the roles and responsibilities of service providers at different levels from the local system administrator to JTF-GNO.

Session 4:      Army NetOps Enterprise Services

Speaker: LTC Glenn Herrin, AGNOSC Enterprise

The Army's enterprise network, the LandWarNet, is not one continuous structure but is more like a set of islands connected by the Global Information Grid (GIG).  Those discrete networks are related and supported by the Army's enterprise services, including IP space management, Domain Name Service (DNS), e-mail, web services, antivirus protection, and the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This session focuses on the operational management of those services at the Army level and the integration of theater, functional, and lower level services across the GIG and LandWarNet.

Session 5:      Enabling the Ground Force Commander through NetOps

Speaker: LTC William O'Connor, TPO NetOps

In this session we will examine the effect that the Army’s Transformation to a modular force structure has had on the tactical network and its integration into the Global Information Grid.  This transformation has led to a significant flattening of the network, dispelling the notion that the Strategic network is separate from the Tactical network.  As a result, the linking of the Strategic and Tactical layers through an integrated and robust NETOPS capability creates efficiencies that are provided directly to the Ground Force Commander in support of tactical operations. This session will provide a combined and comprehensive overview and walk-thru of the Current and Future Force NETOPS tools, capabilities and reporting structures.  In addition it will define Network Management, Network Operations and establish basic roles and responsibilities of the NETOPS organizations at each echelon of the network.  Current gaps and challenges will be discussed and used to provide an outline of where we, as a joint community, need to work to create greater efficiencies in our overall NETOPS processes, procedures and capabilities.

Thursday, 21 August 2008

Session 6:      Joint Force NetOps:  Lessons from Current Operations

Speaker: LTC Stephen Birch

In this session, a current and real-world description of a Joint Forces Operation experience will be provided.  It will identify challenges and highlight successes in the ability to provide warfighters a successful LandWarNet operation and defense across strategic, operational, and tactical boundaries for the duration of the campaign. This session will describe the unit’s modular structure, pre-deployment training and exercise, sustainment training, network and communications equipment, NetOps capabilities, Network Defense and interoperability within command, joint and coalition. This discussion will provide an evaluation of the organization’s ability to carry out it mission.