MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Legal, cyber and information technology professionals attend the Air Force Judge Advocate General School’s second annual Cyber Law Symposium, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017.
The purpose of the free symposium was to familiarize the Maxwell-Gunter and surrounding communities with legal and policy limitations that impact activities within the world of cyberspace.
“We believe this symposium will serve as an important tool for increasing professional education and building awareness of the crucial legal issues currently facing military operations in the cyber domain,” said Maj. Sara Carrasco, The Judge Advocate General’s School instructor.
The theme for the Symposium is, “Changing the Face of the DoD Fight”, with a focus on investigating the responsibilities and legal constraints on the Department of Defense in defending the United States against foreign and domestic cyberspace threats, as they continue to evolve, Carrasco said.
This includes the integration of other federal agencies and the private sector in the fight. The topics discussed during the symposium included: use of force, sovereignty, acquisitions and leveraging private industry.
“Our intent is to present the symposium as an opportunity for speakers and other attendees to engage in collaborative learning with the goal of working together toward solutions to [tricky] operational cyber legal issues,” Carrasco said.
“I think the ability to have discussions, both between DoD practitioners [and individuals] in civilian academics is great,” said Lt. Col. Jason Keen U.S. Cyber Communications deputy staff judge advocate. He says this allows them to communicate and explore common issues within the cyber realm with an understanding of law and policies surrounding it.
Through events like these symposiums, the JAG school hopes to keep building an understanding of the law and policy implications of cyber by both legal and non-legal participants. They also hope the research being done at Air University and other institutions, can develop a body of knowledge for future events.
“[This symposium] is of critical importance to emerging cyber space operations, [for] both the Air Force and Joint Force commanders to have the legal and policy understanding of what can or can’t occur in the domains” Keen said.