The Department of Defense (DoD) faces an ever-evolving landscape of cyber and spectrum threats, demanding highly skilled professionals to defend, protect, and innovate.
“Adversaries increasingly exploit cyber vulnerabilities and disrupt operations in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS).” explained Chester “CJ” Maciag, VICEROY National Director and Director of Cyber-Spectrum Academic Engagement Integrated Sensing and Cyber in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). “From jamming communications and manipulating radar systems to cyberattacks on military networks and critical infrastructures, the risks are real. These attacks jeopardize national security, disrupt supply chains, and undermine the operational readiness of our armed forces.”
VICEROY — Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ — is a groundbreaking initiative addressing these challenges head-on. By combining cybersecurity and electromagnetic operations into its curriculum and activities, VICEROY develops the next generation of DoD-ready professionals capable of tackling multifaceted threats. In this way, the initiative is uniquely positioned to address the urgent workforce needs of the DoD, building a pipeline of capable and dynamic experts ready to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and operational capabilities.
How VICEROY Prepares Cyber and EMS Professionals
- National Reach
VICEROY unites institutions across the nation to develop and enhance course curriculum, programming, and instruction in a collaborative model, ensuring multifaceted perspectives and solutions in cybersecurity and EMS operations. - Advanced Talent Development
VICEROY Integrates interdisciplinary studies in language, communications, civic engagement, and diplomatic literacy to enhance future contributions to national defense initiatives. - Exposure to Real-World National Security Challenges
VICEROY participants engage in rigorous educational scenarios that blend cyber operations with electromagnetic spectrum applications. The experiences, such as the VICEROY: Spectral Cloak, challenge students to solve real-world problems. - Internships of Consequence
VICEROY interns gain hands-on experience through placements within the DoD where they readily contribute to cutting-edge research and technical projects that directly impact U.S. cybersecurity and EMS operations. - Immersion into DoD Missions and Culture
VICEROY connects students with DoD and industry leaders in cyber and EMS. Events like HammerCon and visits to leading DoD sites provide students a close look at operational challenges, emerging technologies, and defense strategies shaping national security. - Clear Pathways to Profession
Participation in VICEROY programming can lead to direct career pathways into cyber and EMS roles within the DoD and vital industries. Programs like the Virtual Career Fair enable seamless transitions from academic study into mission-critical positions.
VICEROY answers the call for defense readiness by increasing the number of new and upskilled mission-capable professionals available to fill critical cyber-spectrum research and operations positions within the DoD and vital industries, and contribute on Day One.
_____________
References
- Department of Defense. (2023). Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy. U.S. Department of Defense. https://www.defense.gov
- U.S. Department of Defense. (2022). Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy. https://www.cto.mil/ems/
- Griffiss Institute. (2024). VICEROY Program: Shaping the Future of Cyber and Spectrum Experts. Griffiss Institute. https://www.griffissinstitute.org
- Military Cyber Professionals Association. (2024). HammerCon: Preparing Cyber Leaders for Defense Missions. https://www.milcyber.org
- National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). (2023). The Role of Cybersecurity and EMS Operations in Modern Defense Strategy. NDIA. https://www.ndia.org
- Texas A&M University. (2023). Advancing Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Education through VICEROY Partnerships. https://cyber.tamu.edu
- U.S. Air Force (2023). Cyber Warfare and Electromagnetic Dominance: Workforce Needs and Challenges. https://www.af.mil
- Mississippi State University. (2023). Spectral Cloak Competition: Preparing the Next Generation of Cyber Leaders. https://www.msstate.edu
