Connect and collaborate with experts as the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center (CFIC) facilitates virtual events in this series. Webinars take place quarterly and offer presentations to various audience members on various topics, including technology, cybersecurity, future-proofing efforts, and more. The audience can learn together during the hour-long virtual event and ask questions during a Q&A segment. Post-session videos are typically available the day after the event concludes. Please check back if you're unable to attend live!
February Connector Series Speaker: Tim Chrisman
Join us on February 4, 2025, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, as Tim Chrisman presents "Navigating the Third Age of Geopolitical Capital: Financing Innovation and the Strategic Role of Private Equity in National Security."
Description:
In a world where private capital drives technological advancement, the 21st-century battlefield is defined not just by tanks and missiles but also by algorithms, semiconductors, and data sovereignty. Join Tim Chrisman, an expert at the intersection of geopolitics, finance, and defense innovation, to explore how private equity and venture capital are reshaping global competition and what this means for military strategy, national security, and technological dominance.
This talk will focus on:
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The Third Age of Geopolitical Capital: How private capital influences global power dynamics and drives innovation.
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Strategic Technologies: AI, quantum computing, and space exploration impact military readiness and operational capabilities.
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Public-Private Collaboration: How governments can partner with private innovators to secure supply chains, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain technological superiority.
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Geopolitical Risks and Opportunities: Managing vulnerabilities in semiconductor production, data ecosystems, and critical emerging technologies.
Key Concepts Covered:
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The role of private capital in advancing defense-critical technologies like AI-driven logistics, quantum encryption, and autonomous systems.
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Geopolitical implications of concentrated supply chains (e.g., TSMC's dominance in semiconductors) for military preparedness.
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Building resilient innovation ecosystems through public-private partnerships and international collaboration.
Why Attend?
This talk will provide military leaders with actionable insights into how private-sector innovation intersects with national security imperatives. Understand the strategic role of emerging technologies, the risks posed by private capital’s growing influence, and how to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape to maintain U.S. military and technological dominance.
Bio
Tim Chrisman is a former CIA Officer, a retired U.S. Army Special Operations Officer, and a leading voice in national security, private capital, and innovation. With nearly two decades of national security experience, he has played pivotal roles in shaping defense innovation and space policy. Tim is a serial entrepreneur, a partner at Distinctive Edge Partners, and an advisor to venture capital funds seeking to align technological advancements with strategic national priorities.
Tim is the author of two books, Humanity in Space and The Third Age of Geopolitical Capital. Tim holds multiple patents, including innovations in anti-radiation supplements. He has published extensively on the future of geopolitics, space, and technology, offering actionable insights for policymakers, military leaders, and investors. A frequent speaker at global defense and innovation forums, Tim is known for his thought-provoking perspectives on navigating the complexities of modern power dynamics. Tim has consistently championed bold ideas and practical solutions throughout his career to ensure America’s strategic leadership in an era of rapid change.
Next dates: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Tuesday, August 5, 2025 INFORMATION ON SPEAKERS COMING SOON!
Previous Connector Series:
We enjoyed hosting Brian David Johnson
Futurist, Author, Professor!
Please see the video below to learn about future threatcasting!
Brian David Johnson
Futurist, Author, Professor
Brian David Johnson is a renowned futurist, author, and professor who has dedicated his career to envisioning and shaping the future. From 2009 to 2016, he served as Intel Corporation’s first futurist, pioneering strategies to help businesses and governments anticipate the future through his method, "futurecasting." Currently, Johnson holds positions at Arizona State University’s Global Futures Laboratory, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and directs the Threatcasting Lab. His work spans various fields, consulting with governments, corporations, militaries, and nonprofits. Johnson is a prolific author, holding over 40 patents and publishing both science fiction and academic works such as The Future You, A Threatcasting Textbook, and 21st Century Robot.
Johnson’s research involves predicting long-term technological impacts and creating actionable roadmaps, often blending science fiction with practical foresight. His insights have influenced diverse sectors, from cybersecurity and supply chain resilience to military applications, through collaborations with organizations like the U.S. Army, Mastercard, and Cisco. Johnson shares his expertise in columns for IEEE Computer Magazine and Successful Farming, among others, and appears frequently on media outlets like BBC and Bloomberg TV. His work on science fiction prototypes and threatcasting has also led to engagements with the Army Cyber Institute, NATO, and ASU's research initiatives. Through his books, public speaking, and media appearances, Johnson continues to inspire both the public and private sectors to proactively engage with the future.
We enjoyed hosting Dr. Lubjana Beshaj! Please see the video on the latest advances in cryptography and zero trust architecture below!
Lubjana Beshaj, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Cyber Fellow of Mathematics, Army Cyber Institute
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Mathematics, Oakland University, 2016
M.S. Mathematics, University of Vlora, 2010
B.S. Mathematics and Physics, University of Vlora, 2008
Dr. Lubjana Beshaj is a Cyber Fellow of Mathematics at the Army Cyber Institute and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at West Point. She is a member of the American Mathematical Society and Women in Mathematics. Her research interests include cryptography, elliptic and hyperelliptic curve cryptography, post-quantum cryptography more specifically isogeny based cryptography, Jacobian varieties, and arithmetic of algebraic curves.
She has co-edited two books:
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Algebraic curves and their applications, edited by L. Beshaj and T. Shaska, Contemporary Math. American Math. Soc. volume 724, 2019
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Advances on Superelliptic Curves and Their Applications edited by T.Shaska, E.Zhupa, L.Beshaj, NATO Science for Peace and Security Series D: Information and Communication Security, IOS Press, Amsterdam 2015
We enjoyed hosting Dr. Herb Lin! Please see the video of emerging technology presentation below if you missed it!
Dr. Herb Lin is senior research scholar for cyber policy and security at the Center for International Security and Cooperation and Hank J. Holland Fellow in Cyber Policy and Security at the Hoover Institution, both at Stanford University. His research interests relate broadly to policy-related dimensions of cybersecurity and cyberspace, and he is particularly interested in the use of offensive operations in cyberspace as instruments of national policy and in the security dimensions of information warfare and influence operations on national security. In addition to his positions at Stanford University, he is Chief Scientist, Emeritus for the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies, where he served from 1990 through 2014 as study director of major projects on public policy and information technology, and Adjunct Senior Research Scholar and Senior Fellow in Cybersecurity (not in residence) at the Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies in the School for International and Public Affairs at Columbia University; and a member of the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. In 2016, he served on President Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. Prior to his NRC service, he was a professional staff member and staff scientist for the House Armed Services Committee (1986-1990), where his portfolio included defense policy and arms control issues. He received his doctorate in physics from MIT.
Avocationally, he is a longtime folk and swing dancer and a lousy magician. Apart from his work on cyberspace and cybersecurity, he is published in cognitive science, science education, biophysics, and arms control and defense policy. He also consults on K-12 math and science education.
We enjoyed hearing Dr. Ravi Starzl's talk on the Potential of AI in the Military Context!
Dr. Ravi Starzl
AI Researcher and Consultant
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Artificial Intelligence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2007
M.S. Computer Science, Stanford University, 2003
B.S. Computer Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2001
Dr. Ravi Starzl is a leading researcher and consultant in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a specific focus on its applications within military contexts. With a Ph.D. from MIT, Dr. Starzl has spent over a decade exploring the intersection of AI and national defense, emphasizing the ethical and strategic implications of AI in warfare and security operations.
In his recent talk, Dr. Starzl discussed the transformative potential of AI technologies in enhancing decision-making, operational efficiency, and predictive capabilities in military operations. He highlighted the ongoing advancements in autonomous systems, machine learning, and data analytics that could redefine future combat strategies and defense mechanisms.
Dr. Starzl is also a proponent of ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI in military settings, advocating for robust ethical frameworks and international cooperation to address the challenges posed by AI in this domain. His insights have made significant contributions to policy discussions and research agendas aimed at balancing technological innovation with global security concerns.
Dr. Starzl’s work has been widely published in academic journals and he regularly collaborates with defense agencies and research institutions to drive forward the understanding and application of AI in military contexts.
We enjoyed hosting Ed Skoudis! Please see the video on the historical background of defining cyberspace as a domain for military engagement, Cyber Persistence Theory, and information dominance and AI!
Ed Skoudis
Founder of Counter Hack, Fellow at SANS Institute
EDUCATION
B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1992
Ed Skoudis is a highly regarded cybersecurity expert and the founder of Counter Hack, a company that designs and conducts cybersecurity simulations and challenges. He is also a Fellow at the SANS Institute, where he leads the penetration testing and ethical hacking curriculum.
With over 25 years of experience in information security, Ed has contributed to advancing cybersecurity through his teaching, research, and real-world experience. His expertise includes penetration testing, incident response, and malware analysis. Ed is known for breaking down complex cybersecurity concepts into understandable and actionable insights, making him a sought-after speaker and instructor in the field.
Ed has authored numerous articles and books on cybersecurity, including Counter Hack Reloaded, which professionals and organizations widely use as a resource to strengthen their security posture. He also leads the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge, an annual event that provides hands-on learning experiences to thousands of participants worldwide.
Ed has received several awards for his contributions to cybersecurity, including the "Most Valuable Industry Contributor" award from SC Magazine.
