Electronic warfare and cybersecurity have become intertwined, says a veteran of both fields who was recently selected to help personnel across the military services address an ever-changing palette of security challenges.
“The two arenas are directly related,” Pete Christensen says. “An adversary in electronic warfare might employ RF energy, whereas cyber threats come across networks. But what we’re seeing now is a convergence, where the two come together to create a point of attack.”
Earlier this year, Christensen became director of the National Cyber Range (NCR), a Department of Defense (DoD) resource that works with organizations such as the US Cyber Command and Naval Systems Command to define and implement their cybersecurity objectives, including controls, assessments and training.
The responsibilities are weighty. Both the security of information assets and that of the warfighter on the ground depend on robust, well thought-out polices. As retired Navy flight officer, Christensen is aware of the high stakes – and ready to step up to the plate.
“What I really enjoy is the ability to help DoD secure their systems. We’ve faced big challenges from a cybersecurity perspective, not only in the department but across the federal government, and this is an opportunity to make our systems more secure and support the war fighter. A lot of what I do is focused on supporting those who are in uniform.”
Indeed, Christensen’s interest in the field grew directly out of his experiences in the Navy. “I realized my plane was computer-driven and I wanted to learn more,” he says.
Today, he keeps his expertise current by monitoring the emerging trends – and by teaching at Capitol College. His course on malicious software, IAE 677, is one of the core requirements for the master’s degree.
The course, he says, provides a learning opportunity for him as well as his students, who frequently bring fresh perspectives to the table.
“It’s important for me to stay up to speed on emerging cybersecurity issues on a regular basis,” he says. “I view what I do at Capitol as being very important in terms of helping me make sure I understand what the most current kinds of threats are, because that has direct applicability to what I’m doing on a daily basis.
“I know I have a heck of a lot to learn, and that’s part of the reason why I teach.”
William Butler, chair of the information assurance program at Capitol, says Christensen personifies the dedication to excellence which characterizes the information assurance faculty at the college. “We hire the best,” Butler says.
Students enrolled in Christensen’s class get real-time experience in identifying and combatting viruses, worms, Trojan horses, logic bombs, and malicious CGI scripts. They study such exploits from the inside out, learning how they are constituted, why they work, and how to defend against them.
“Pete’s been an outstanding professor, very innovative and forward-thinking,” Butler says. “It doesn’t surprise me that the Department of Defense selected him to head the NCR; they made a smart choice.”
Christensen, for his part, views both his role at the NCR and at Capitol with characteristic modesty.
“I’m humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve my nation in this capacity,” he says. “Meanwhile, it’s a great responsibility and challenge to be a professor at Capitol. We always have to try and improve ourselves personally and professionally and all of these things – the teaching and the work – are closely coupled, helping me do the best job that I can.”