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Formation | 1946 |
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Type | 501(c)(6) |
53-0180161 [1] | |
Legal status | nonprofit membership association |
Purpose | To provide a forum for the ethical exchange of information and increase of knowledge through the exploration of issues relevant to its members in information technology, communications, and electronics for the defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities. [2] |
Headquarters | Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
Lt. Gen. William Bender, USAF (Ret.) [3] | |
Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.) [3] | |
Subsidiaries | AFCEA Educational Foundation (501(c)(3)), [2] |
Revenue (2018) | $17,563,322 [2] |
Expenses (2018) | $17,471,228 [2] |
Employees (2017) | 60 [2] |
Volunteers (2017) | 1,800 [2] |
Website | www |
Formerly called | Army Signal Association, Armed Forces Communications Association, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association |
Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International (AFCEA), established in 1946, [4] is a nonprofit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as a forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, information technology, intelligence and global security. AFCEA provides a forum for military, government, academic and industry communities with altogether more than 30,000 members. AFCEA supports local chapters, sponsors events, publishes a magazine, promotes STEM education and provides member benefits. [5]
Following the American Civil War, the United States Veterans Signal Association [6] was formed from the original Signal Corps established under Maj. Albert J. Myer of the U.S. Army.
This organization was active for many years, ultimately being augmented by veterans from the Spanish–American War and World War I. The American Signal Corps Association, another World War I group, merged with the U.S. Veterans Signal Association in 1918 and was active until 1944 (World War II).
In May 1946, Maj. Gen. Harry C. Ingles, Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff, [7] and a number of industry leaders joined to found the Army Signal Association, absorbing the remaining chapters of its predecessors.
In 1947, the name was changed to the Armed Forces Communications Association, and in 1954 the name evolved as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. In 1979, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association became international with the establishment of chapters in Europe, Asia and Canada. On October 1, 2018, the organization's name was shortened to AFCEA International.
SIGNAL, not to be confused with the German Signal magazine, [8] is a monthly international news magazine targeting government, military and industry professionals active in the information technology and intelligence fields. The magazine was started in 1946. [9] Among the topics covered in the magazine are command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR); information security; cybersecurity; research and development; artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, cloud technologies, electronics; and homeland security.
A monthly online newsletter, SIGNAL Connections, [10] is emailed mid-month to members. AFCEA's online directories include the corporate member directory, [11] which provides access to detailed information about the companies that support AFCEA. In addition, information in this directory also is available according to corporate focus categories in the Cybersecurity, Intelligence, Health IT, Education and Homeland Security directories. Organizations provide the information in these online publications, including contacts, business focus, products/services, and/or clients.
AFCEA is involved in additional communications technologies, including webinars, podcasts, blogs, and RSS Feeds. AFCEA has a presence in social media platforms. [12]
The association, in partnership with the AFCEA Educational Foundation, chapters and members, presents $2 million annually in scholarships, grants and awards in six categories: college students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors; current and future teachers of STEM subjects in U.S. middle and high schools; underserved/minority college students studying STEM fields; students in fields related to security such as intelligence, cyber and homeland security; ROTC cadets/midshipmen and military personnel; and students attending the five service academies and other military educational institutions. [13]
AFCEA's Professional Development provides a wide range of programs of continuing education, leadership development and technical training courses. Courses are available for presentation on-site at organizations' facilities. [14] In addition, some sessions at AFCEA conferences and chapter events qualify as continuing education to maintain cybersecurity certifications. [15]
The association also has partnerships with several higher education institutions that offer members discounts on tuition both in the classroom and online. [16]
Through leadership development, education, events, and networking, the association helps women advance in their careers. [17]
The Emerging Professionals in Intelligence Community (EPIC) Committee enables young professionals to learn about the various aspects in this specialty field. [18]
Through the Small Business Committee and several focused events, the association provides strategies and programs about business processes, upcoming contracts and marketing. [19]
AFCEA has more than 130 chapters and sub-chapters around the world to provide professional education and networking opportunities. Most hold monthly meetings to exchange ideas about communications, intelligence, cybersecurity and information systems technologies. Nearly one-half of AFCEA's chapters conduct symposia and seminars in addition to other chapter activities. Individual chapters provide college scholarships, fund classroom equipment and mentor students in science fairs and technology clubs. [20]
AFCEA conferences offer problem-solving opportunities to C4ISR, intelligence, cybersecurity, homeland security and information technology professionals through exhibits, technical panels and speakers. [21] Events include:
The SANS Institute is a private U.S. for-profit company founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics available for training include cyber and network defenses, penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and auditing. The information security courses are developed through a consensus process involving administrators, security managers, and information security professionals. The courses cover security fundamentals and technical aspects of information security. The institute has been recognized for its training programs and certification programs. Per 2021, SANS is the world’s largest cybersecurity research and training organization. SANS is an acronym for SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security.
The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) C5ISR Center, formerly the Communications-Electronics RD&E Center (CERDEC), is the United States Army information technologies and integrated systems center. CCDC C5ISR Center is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, with activities at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
SEMI is an industry association comprising companies involved in the electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. They provide equipment, materials and services for the manufacture of semiconductors, photovoltaic panels, LED and flat panel displays, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), printed and flexible electronics, and related micro and nano-technologies.
Selex ES was a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, active in the electronics and information technology business, based in Italy and the UK, and formed in January 2013, following Finmeccanica's decision to combine its existing SELEX Elsag and SELEX Sistemi Integrati businesses into SELEX Galileo, the immediate predecessor of Selex ES. From 1 January 2016, the activities of Selex ES merged into Leonardo-Finmeccanica's Electronics, Defence and Security Systems Sector becoming Leonardo S.p.A.
ISACA is an international professional association focused on IT governance. On its IRS filings, it is known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, although ISACA now goes by its acronym only. ISACA currently offers 8 certification programs, as well as other micro-certificates.
Raytheon Intelligence, Information, and Services is a business unit of Raytheon Company headquartered in Dulles, Virginia. IIS specializes in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, advanced cybersecurity services; weather and environmental services, and information-based services for homeland security. The company also provides training, logistics, engineering, product support, and operational support services and solutions for mission support, homeland security, space, civil aviation, counter-proliferation, and counter-terrorism markets.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a type of master's degree concentrated in an applied field of study. MPS degrees are often interdisciplinary. While Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs tend to focus on theory and research, Master of Professional Studies degrees tend to emphasize practical skills designed for current and aspiring professionals, including post-bachelor and post-graduate students, and often require some amount of fieldwork or internship to complement classroom learning.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is an association for information and communications technology professionals with 40,000+ members Australia-wide. According to its Constitution, its objectives are "to advance professional excellence in information technology" and "to promote the development of Australian information and communications technology resources".
The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), based in San Diego, California is one of six SYSCOM Echelon II organizations within the United States Navy and is the Navy's technical authority and acquisition command for C4ISR, business information technology and space systems. Echelon II means that the organization reports to someone who, in turn, reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations on the military side. From a civilian perspective, NAVWAR reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDA). The command was formerly known as Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and was renamed in June 2019 to better align its identity with its mission.
Dr. Dale W. Meyerrose, Major General (Retired) was the first President-appointed, Senate-confirmed Associate Director of National Intelligence/Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Information Sharing Executive for the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Argon ST is a subsidiary of The Boeing Company headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, United States, that specializes in systems engineering and provides C4ISR products. Argon ST's efforts include developing systems for signal intercept and identification, airborne imaging systems, threat warning systems, electronic intelligence, active electronic warfare systems, communications reconnaissance systems, torpedo countermeasures systems, imaging systems, communication systems, wireless networks and navigation systems. Argon ST systems support a full range of military and strategic units including surface and sub-surface, airborne, and land-based platforms serving defense, homeland security, and international customer needs.
The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is a non-profit, nonpartisan 501(c)(6) professional organization based in Arlington, Virginia for the public and private sector members of the United States Intelligence Community.
ManTech International Corporation is an American defense contracting firm based in Herndon, Virginia. It was co-founded in 1968 by Franc Wertheimer and George J. Pedersen. The company uses technology to help government and industry clients. The company name "ManTech" is a portmanteau formed through the combination of "management" and "technology."
The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) was founded in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was started from a vision of then Governor John Hickenlooper, in coordination with several people from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and the community. The NCC serves both public and private organizations and individuals through training, education, and research.
Cryptol is a domain-specific programming language for cryptography developed by the Portland, Oregon based software development firm, Galois, Inc. The language was originally developed for use by the United States National Security Agency. The language is also used by private firms that provide information technology systems, such as the American company Rockwell Collins provides to aerospace and defense contractors in the United States.
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or ISC2, is a non-profit organization which specializes in training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals. It has been described as the "world's largest IT security organization". The most widely known certification offered by ISC2 is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
Salvatore Domenic Morgera is an American and Canadian engineer, scientist, inventor, and academic. Morgera is a Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer, Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology(IET), Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA), Professor of Electrical Engineering, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Director of the C4ISR Defense & Intelligence and Bioengineering Laboratories at the University of South Florida and Professor Emeritus at McGill University, Concordia University, and Florida Atlantic University.
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), also known as the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness' (NJOHSP) Division of Cybersecurity, is the first American state-level information sharing and analysis organization in the United States that exchanges cyber threat intelligence and conducts incident response for governments, businesses, and citizens in New Jersey. Located at NJ’s Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC), and acting in a cyber fusion center capacity the NJCCIC is composed of staff from NJOHSP, the NJ Office of Information Technology, and the NJ State Police. The NJCCIC's nomenclature is derived from its federal counterpart, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, which encompasses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).
Ruth A. David is an American engineer. While at the CIA, David was responsible for encouraging the agency to pursue partnerships with the private sector and designed a proposal to procure technology at the stage of development from the private sector. She has been awarded the CIA Director's Award, the Defense Intelligence Agency Director's Award, the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the National Reconnaissance Officer's Award for Distinguished Service, and the National Security Agency Distinguished Service Medal.
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, formed in October 2000. Its mission statement professes that the function of CIS is to " help people, businesses, and governments protect themselves against pervasive cyber threats."