Spies and Bytes: Victory in the Digital Age

Presented at DEF CON 32 (2024), Aug. 9, 2024, 10:30 a.m. (45 minutes).

Join General Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Army (Retired), for a deep dive into the realities of modern cyber warfare at DefCon. With critical stories from his extensive career, General Nakasone will expose the details of national security in the digital era. The longest-serving leader of both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, General Nakasone has been on the frontlines of America's cyber defense. He will share firsthand accounts of defending against nation-state hackers, securing critical infrastructure during global crises, and the strategies that kept adversaries at bay. This talk will examine the evolving nature of conflict, where the battlefield extends into cyberspace and unique partnerships must be built to offer agility and resilience. General Nakasone will discuss the persistent threats posed by sophisticated hackers and the innovative defenses employed to counteract them. He’ll delve into the importance of intelligence sharing, international alliances, and transparency in operations. Looking ahead, General Nakasone will present a forward-thinking vision for the future of warfare. He’ll highlight the necessity for adaptive cyber strategies, resilient defenses, and the cultivation of new leadership to address emerging threats.

Presenters:

  • General Paul M. Nakasone - Founding Director at Vanderbilt’s Institute of National Security
    Paul M. Nakasone, General, U.S. Army (Retired), is the founding director of Vanderbilt’s Institute of National Security. With over three decades of distinguished service in the Army, his career began at the end of the Cold War and included pivotal moments such as being at the Pentagon on 9-11, deploying to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, and spearheading cyber operations. His service spanned the Trump and Biden administrations, culminating as the Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command. Over nearly six years, he led the largest element of the US Intelligence Community and the Defense Department’s cyber forces through three national elections, a global pandemic, and escalating threats to the homeland. Throughout his career, General Nakasone has been a transformative leader, adept at navigating complex challenges. He implemented a persistent strategy in deploying cyber forces to combat nation-state hackers and expanded cooperation with international, interagency, and private sector partners to enhance insights into national adversaries. His efforts to increase operational transparency have significantly bolstered public trust in both the Agency and Command. He remains deeply committed to fostering national service and leadership development.

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