ARCYBER talks cyber security with USAREUR

July 26, 2012

By Jennifer Downing, Army Cyber Command Public Affairs

Keeping heroes active
U.S. Army Cyber Command Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger P. Blackwood, explains the command's organizational structure to U.S. Army Europe Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. David. S. Davenport, during a tour of the Nolan Building in Fort Belvoir, Va. (Photo by Jennifer Downing, ARCYBER Public Affairs)

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- U.S. Army Cyber Command/2nd Army hosted the U.S. Army Europe command sergeant major at Fort Belvoir, further defining relationships between Army Cyber Command and operational units around the Army.

Army Cyber Command Sgt. Maj. Roger P. Blackwood hosted Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Davenport, Sr. to discuss cyberspace operations and tour the Army Cyber Operation and Integration Center. Davenport met with key noncommissioned officers from Army Cyber to further explain how the command operates, defends and conducts operations in defense of all Army networks.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Davenports' visit to Army Cyber Command provided an opportunity to showcase the invaluable work and extraordinary efforts our Soldiers and Department of the Army civilian professionals accomplish day-to-day," said Blackwood. "This visit is one of many opportunities to show the Army at large the importance of cyber security at strategic, operational and tactical levels."

Davenport was briefed by 1st Information Operations Command staff, detailing the importance of cyber security relating to social media and the ease of digging for critical information by an adversary.

"Social media is critical to our overall mission. Use of Twitter and Facebook translates to getting information out at a battalion and company level. No one wants to do the wrong thing; awareness is key," said Davenport. "It is important to explain why they can't post or say a critical piece of information, not just that they can't do it."

Davenport said he was aware of cyber security issues before his visits and he hopes to further integrate cyberspace operations into further mission planning. Upon returning to Europe, Davenport will continue to work closely with 5th Signal Command, Army Cyber and be an advocate for the overall cyberspace mission, he said.

"I was incredibly impresses with the dedication and the level of resources and energy that goes into defending the networks," said Davenport. "A key point that needs to be stated over and over again is that every person and Soldier is responsible for protecting it too."

About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned to advance American strategic interests across Eurasia, building teams, assuring allies and deterring enemies. The relationships we build during 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for U.S. actions such as in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.