SENIOR LEADER CONFERENCE XLIX
America’s Prosperity and Security in a Networked World:
Challenges and Prospects
West Point, New York, 3-5 June 2012
ABOUT SENIOR CONFERENCEThe United States Military Academy (USMA) Senior Conference is an annual event run by the Department of Social Sciences on behalf of the Superintendent, USMA. The conference provides a forum for distinguished representatives—from the private sector, government, academia, the think-tank community, and the joint military services—to discuss topics of national security importance.Senior Conference 2012, will explore the implications of America’s reliance on cyberspace. The fundamental premise of this conference is that we, as a society and as a government, have not fully addressed the fundamental issues stemming from America’s dependence on cyberspace. The questions the conference will explore include: - What are the characteristics of cyberspace and what threats do we face in this domain?
- What role should the U.S. government play in protecting public safety, promoting prosperity, and ensuring national security in cyberspace?
- What is the role of the private sector in creating a more secure cyberspace, and what do Americans need to understand about cyber security?
- How can the public and private sectors best partner to further public safety, economic prosperity, and national security?
- What are the economic consequences of cyber insecurity, and what is the best way to minimize these costs?
- What public policy options and private sector initiatives have the most promise in reducing the risks faced by the United States in cyberspace?
Important concerns related to civil liberties and privacy run through all of these issue areas, and are likely to be recurring touchstones in conference discussions.Although the sharing of diverse perspectives and the gathering of different points of view have always been strengths of Senior Conference, the theme this year has made these goals even more important. Given that cyberspace is intrinsically a multi-stakeholder environment, invitees include: members of Congress; senior government officials from across the interagency; executives from the private sector (to include information technology firms, Internet service providers, security firms, defense industries, critical infrastructure providers, and consultants); scholars from relevant disciplines; members of the think-tank community; and representatives of the media. Keynote speakers and panelists have been chosen based on their scholarship, professional practice, or current responsibilities. This conference will provide a perfect forum—sequestered and informal settings at West Point—for candid discussions among all conference participants. Comments are “not for attribution” throughout all conference sessions, further facilitating a free exchange of ideas.In an era in which the dependence of the United States on cyberspace continues to grow, the issues that will be discussed at this conference are vitally important. In addition to furthering understanding and fostering the development of a community among key stakeholders, this event will help to identify issues requiring further analysis and recommendations on the way ahead.Senior Conference 2012 has been made possible through a partnership with U.S. Cyber Command and by the generous support of the USMA Association of Graduates. |
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