CYBERCOM releases details of October industry day

Top officials from U.S. Cyber Command will convene with industry executives in late October to discuss the warfighting organization's initial acquisition plans, according to a recent notice.

Adm. Michael Rogers, the head of CYBERCOM, will provide opening remarks during the Oct. 27 industry day at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's headquarters in Springfield, VA, according to an Aug. 15 Federal Business Opportunities notice. The event is limited to industry representatives with top-secret clearances, and the notice recommends companies send senior officials like vice presidents, executive managers and chief technology officers.

"The intent of this event is to provide insight to senior level industry representatives into the current and future [U.S. Cyber Command] challenges, requirements, and acquisition plans," the notice states.

Inside Defense previously reported on the plans for CYBERCOM's maiden industry day. Before the end of fiscal year 2017, on Sept. 30, the command plans to exercise its acquisition authority for the first time, Dennis Bartko, director of the capabilities development group and chief information officer at CYBERCOM, said during an Aug. 9 cybersecurity conference  

The Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act allows CYBERCOM to spend up to $75 million per year through FY-21 on cyber operations capabilities. CYBERCOM and U.S. Special Operations Command are the only combatant commands authorized to buy their own tools and equipment.

According to an agenda included in the industry day notice, Bartko will detail the capabilities development group's work, and Tony Davis, CYBERCOM's acting acquisition executive, will then provide an "acquisition overview." Davis previously was the director of science and technology at SOCOM.

The industry day will also include a panel discussion involving the military services' component cyber chiefs as well as several "portfolio overviews" in areas such as common services, tools, access platforms, analytics and headquarters operations. The deadline for registration is Oct. 16, according to the notice.