Military leaders honored for cybersecurity efforts

Two top military leaders were honored for their contributions to U.S. cybersecurity during an event celebrating the launch of a new, high-profile cyber education program at the University of Maryland University College.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minihan, managing director of the Paladin Capital Group and former director of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, and Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will receive awards recognizing their efforts to advance cybersecurity education and defense.

“As cyber attacks grow increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, it’s essential that we have highly trained cyber warriors to protect our infrastructure,” UMUC President Susan C. Aldridge said in a March 28 press release. “Lt. Gen. Minihan and Gen. Cartwright are pioneers in cybersecurity through their efforts, respectively, at the National Security Agency and the U.S. Strategic Command, and have helped pave the way for future cybersecurity specialists.”

Minihan is set to receive the ManTech and UMUC Pioneer in Cybersecurity Award for leadership and pioneering development of early cybersecurity capabilities and strengthening the U.S. cybersecurity stance, according to the press release.

Cartwright will receive the UMUC Award in Cybersecurity Leadership for professional excellence, individual contributions and innovative strategies for pursuing better cybersecurity infrastructure, the release said.

Both awards are the first of their kind to be awarded by UMUC. The honors will be presented April 2 at UMUC’s black-tie gala, which will feature a keynote address by Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, former Central Intelligence Agency and NSA director, and current principal at The Chertoff Group.

UMUC launched two master’s degree programs and a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity last fall, and three certificates this past spring. More than 2,000 students have enrolled in its programs so far, which are delivered completely online and were developed with direct input from a team of today’s leading cybersecurity experts, according to the release.