Throughout the month of October, organizations across the Navy highlighted the importance of cybersecurity through an awareness campaign for all Navy personnel to do their part to operate securely in a digital environment.

At Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), cybersecurity is not just a theme of the month, but an everyday mission and represents a gold line of effort.

Last month, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson released a document entitled "Navy Civilian Workforce Framework" which provides greater detail of the gold line of effort outlined in his "A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority." In the document, he explains a diverse and flexible Navy team of active-duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel brings different perspectives, disciplines, and solutions together to solve tough problems.

"We have an integrated team of military and civilian experts who work cohesively together to support the cybersecurity mission," said Rear Adm. David H. Lewis, commander, SPAWAR. "SPAWAR's goal is to set the standards and emphasize the importance of cybersecurity throughout the fleet. Cybersecurity must be at the core of our everyday tasks. Adhering to strong and standard cyber practices is essential when it comes to protecting our naval networks."

SPAWAR builds, installs, and sustains modern information warfare and cybersecurity capabilities. It is pivotal for SPAWAR to actively engage with the fleet to optimize interoperability and sustainability of the newest systems on ships and submarines serving throughout the globe. As the Navy's information assurance technical authority, SPAWAR's Office of Chief Engineer (CHENG) is constantly engaging in initiatives which ensure cybersecurity is an integral part of a system's development, from initial concept through installation and until decommissioning.

"SPAWAR engineers strengthen the Navy's Cybersafe program every day," said Mike Spencer, SPAWAR deputy CHENG. "This major initiative is driving outcomes similar to NAVSEA's (Naval Sea Systems Command's) submarine safety program known as Subsafe. Subsafe was designed to maintain the rigor, controls, and safety of the Navy's nuclear submarine fleet. Now, SPAWAR is doing the same with our Navy's cyber fleet by protecting our ability to operate safely and effectively in cyberspace."

Earlier this year, SPAWAR finalized the first eight in a series of more than two dozen planned foundational cybersecurity standards which govern the vast majority of the sea services' systems and programs. These standards build upon existing, publicly available National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity standards, with additional information for Navy-specific implementation.

"Integrating civilian and military perspectives and experiences is critical to solving cybersecurity challenges," said Albert Mangles, cyber readiness team, Fleet Readiness Directorate. "It is important that the military and civilian team work closely together at sea and ashore in order to reach the best and most adaptable results. I am proud that I have the opportunity to serve by improving cybersecurity procedures and refining systems that allow our service members to get their jobs done."

SPAWAR's cybersecurity objectives and standards are met through the smooth integration of fleet experience and civilian expertise.

"Having just come from the fleet, serving on USS Boxer (LHD 4) as the information systems security manager and automated data processing officer, I recognize the hard work that needs to happen behind the scenes to make cybersecurity strong," said Lt. Jennifer Chapman, cyber readiness team lead, Fleet Readiness Directorate. "The military-civilian teamwork demonstrated here at SPAWAR generates new technologies and approaches to cybersecurity."

Lewis explained the SPAWAR team continues to work diligently with the fleet, and other internal and external stakeholders, in order to maintain a competitive advantage through creativity of thought and approach to change.

"We need diversity in the Navy," said Lewis. "Diversity brings tremendous talents to the table in order to sustain readiness in the field of cybersecurity. I am proud of the military-civilian team at SPAWAR for their work every day to prepare the fleet for potential cyberattacks and to refine our approach when considering this real threat. Their dedication and success embodies the meaning of a gold line of effort."

SPAWAR is the Navy acquisition command which develops, delivers, and sustains advanced information warfare capabilities for U.S. warfighters. SPAWAR, along with its system centers, space field activity, and its partnership with three program executive offices provides the hardware and software needed to execute Navy missions. With nearly 10,000 active-duty military and civilian professionals located around the world and close to the fleet, SPAWAR is at the forefront of research, engineering, and acquisition, keeping U.S. forces connected around the globe.

Additional information on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, including tips and resources for the use of local commands, can be found at a dedicated DHS webpage http://www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month/, or on a Department of Defense webpage http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0415_Cyber-Strategy/.

For Navy specific information on cybersecurity, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cyberawareness/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.