By Jon Pasierb
InfowarCon 2010 was held May 12-14 at the Washington Convention Center, drawing close to 300 attendees from throughout the Information Operations and Cyber Warfare arenas. High-level government and military officials came together with leading experts from across industry and academia for thought-provoking sessions designed to foster important discussions among the participants and the agencies and organizations they represent.
The opening keynote address was delivered by InfowarCon's founder Winn Schwartau, who presented an eye-opening outlook on "4G Warfare," referring to the smart phone as the new computer, and pointing to these mobile, prolific devices as a huge risk to military and government operations.
From that point on attendees knew they were in for something fascinating, as they were taken through a spectrum of presentations and panel discussions, which covered topics ranging from the role of social media in shaping the future of mass communication to the convergence of electronic warfare and IO/Cyber in military operations. Through this rare blend of sessions, the event provided an ideal forum for the sharing of ideas and constructive, spirited debate.
The conference proved to be an exciting international partnership as well, with professionals from the United States, Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United Kingdom getting a chance to offer their own unique perspectives on pressing issues within information operations, media and public affairs and cyber intelligence. A group of local high school students also added dynamic perspective to the proceedings.
Corporate sponsorship for InfowarCon was provided by some of the leading innovators in the world of IO, including Northrop Grumman, SAIC, SOSi (SOS international Ltd.), Visible Technologies, ConStrat, TASC, S4, SRC, Leonie and General Dynamics. AOC would like to thank these companies for their support, without which the event could not have been so successful.