The Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies presents a discussion and Q&A with Admiral Michael S. Rogers (Commander, US Cyber Command).

Moderated by Jason Healey (Senior Research Scholar) and Richard Betts (Director, Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies).

CUID REQUIRED. Seating is extremely limited. Advance registration strongly encouraged starting Friday, October 30 at 12:00 p.m. via the Columbia or SIPA calendars or event pages. For questions, contact Arastoo Taslim (at2986@columbia.edu).

It has been over five years since the stand up of US Cyber Command, the military force to defend the nation’s cyberspace and deliver offensive cyber capability, yet our cybersecurity problems have rarely seemed more daunting. Every year, the intrusions and attacks seem worse than the last year, continuing a decades-long trend even as our economic, social and military dependence grows on cyberspace and Internet-connected infrastructure. This discussion will touch on recent cyber incidents, from OPM to Sony, but focus on the future direction of US cyber power, from leveraging the new US military Cyber Mission Force, cooperation with the private sector, and deterrence, escalation and response to cyber attacks. The conversation will also include the main open research questions and careers in the cyber field. 

Admiral Michael S. Rogers is a native of Chicago and attended Auburn University, graduating in 1981 and receiving his commission via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. Originally a surface warfare officer (SWO), he was selected for re-designation to cryptology (now Information Warfare) in 1986. He assumed his present duties as commander, U.S. Cyber Command and director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service in March 2014. Since becoming a flag officer in 2007, Rogers has also served as the director for Intelligence for both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Pacific Command, and most recently as commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet. Duties afloat have included service at the unit level as a SWO aboard USS Caron (DD 970); at the strike group level as the senior cryptologist on the staff of commander, Carrier Group 2/John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group; and at the numbered fleet level on the staff of Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet embarked in USS Lasalle (AGF 3) as the fleet information operations (IO) officer and fleet cryptologist.

Admiral Rogers has also led cryptologic direct support missions aboard U.S. submarines and surface units in the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean. Ashore, Rogers commanded Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor, Maine (1998-2000); and, has served at Naval Security Group Department; NAVCOMSTA Rota, Spain; Naval Military Personnel Command; Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the Bureau of Personnel as the cryptologic junior officer detailer; and, Commander, Naval Security Group Command as aide and executive assistant (EA) to the commander. Rogers’ joint service both afloat and ashore has been extensive and, prior to becoming a flag officer, he served at U.S. Atlantic Command, CJTF 120 Operation Support Democracy (Haiti), Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Europe, and the Joint Staff. His Joint Staff duties (2003-2007) included leadership of the J3 Computer Network Attack/Defense and IO Operations shops, EA to the J3, EA to two directors of the Joint Staff, special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, director of the Chairman’s Action Group, and a leader of the JCS Joint Strategic Working Group. Rogers is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and a graduate of highest distinction from the Naval War College.  He is also a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI fellow; Harvard Senior Executive in National Security alum; and holds a Master of Science in National Security Strategy.