Symposium: Cyber Defense Exercises: Growing and Maintaining World Class Defenders (Full-day Symposium)
Leaders: “Dickie” George,  Brian Gouker and Christine Nickell

Computer network defense exercises are growing in scope, size, and complexity. Hands-on defensive exercises, “capture the flag” scenarios, and “table top” exercises are increasingly used formally and informally to teach, test, and reinforce cyber expertise. Academia, industry, and many levels of government are both sponsoring and conducting a variety of competitions. In addition to freelance national and international university competitions, formal activities between and among U.S. universities; among the military service academies; and even at the High School level are taking place. These competitions are significant emerging models for spurring enthusiasm in “Information Assurance”.

This symposium will bring together experts to discuss the various approaches in Cyber Defense Exercises, best practices, scoring philosophies, and sponsorship. The symposium will have individual presentations and a panel of experienced experts to compare and contrast existing competitions, discuss industry opportunities, standardization, resource requirements, rewards and incentives.

“Dickie” George (r.george@nsa.gov) is the Technical Director of the Information Assurance Directorate of the National Security Agency. As a technical leader, Mr. George works closely with teams and individuals giving advice and direction on specific, as well as general, technical questions; mentors; and serves on various technical boards. He holds a BA from Dartmouth College.


Brian Gouker (b.gouker@nsa.gov or briangouker@yahoo.com) is Senior Manager with the Information Assurance Directorate of the National Security Agency. A former Air Force Officer, he holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA from Houston Baptist University and a MS from the US Army War College.


Christine Nickell (Chris5cents@gmail.com) is Chief of the National Information Assurance Education and Training Program (NIETP) at the NSA and the Department of Defense (DoD) IA Scholarship Program Manager. She holds a BA from Loyola College (Baltimore) and has held a variety of positions in the acquisition, policy, and international relations arena.