(Featured photo courtesy of the TechNet website)
AFCEA International’s annual TechNet Augusta returns Aug. 14-17 at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
The three-day conference and expo is designed to open lines of communication between the military and commercial sector, according to its website.
It draws in Army leaders not only from the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, but from Army bases across the country to “examine and explore the intricacies of the cyber domain, specifically how a datacentric Army will support both cyber offense and defense,” according to a news release.
The event has grown from the first one in 2013 that yielded an economic impact of just under $750,000 to a large-scale conference generating an impact of more than $3.7 million last year, the release continued.
“TechNet Augusta brings local, regional, national and international business, military and government leaders to Augusta, where they address the massive volume and scope of cyber and information technology challenges facing the nation,” the release said.
In addition to its economic benefits, the conference offers educational benefits as well.
Since its inception, TechNet Augusta has provided more than 224 sessions approved for continuing education for cybersecurity certification maintenance, further enhancing the Fort Gordon/U.S. Army Cyber Command’s impact on increasing cyber literacy throughout the region.
Highlighting cyber literacy, a military and collegiate “Capture the Flag” event is one of the educational components, as is extensive outreach to local K-12 schools and other educational organizations, addressing critical improvements in STEM-related disciplines throughout the southeast United States
Leaders in industry also attend as exhibitors and provide updates on their products that support the military.
“Leaders and operators also discuss the procurement challenges the military, government and industry face during a time of uncertain budgets and runaway,” according to the TechNet website.
Established in 1946, AFCEA serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum, according to the TechNet website and enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve.
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