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The Security Governance and Civil-Military Relations (SG/CMR) focus area at ISG explores the relationship between elected civilians, civil society, and national security institutions (armed forces, police forces, and intelligence agencies) in a democratic context. It offers courses, seminars, and workshops that promote healthy civil-military relations and prepare participants with the knowledge and skill sets to develop whole-of-government approaches to address ever-evolving national security challenges. 

Designed to build partner capacity and capability, the ISG Cyber Capability courses explore policies and practices enabling countries to achieve, maintain, and excel with advantages over actors who seek to exploit, disrupt, or destroy the networks and systems upon which our societies and militaries depend. This portfolio highlights the importance of effective cyber defense for mission assurance that enables economic growth and innovation, examines barriers to effective policy and practice development, and considers methods for multi-domain response that represent a comprehensive approach for cyber defense. These courses address the fusion of cyber operations with cyber focused intelligence, force planning and development, critical infrastructure, and systems acquisition along with the integration of cyber capabilities into multi-domain, joint, and combined operations. ISG cyber courses prepare decision-makers and their trusted experts to more effectively analyze, design, and implement policies and practices for safeguarding national cyberspace. Courses in this portfolio are delivered in partnership with leading defense and civilian educational entities. 

The Emergency Management and Resilience (EM&R) portfolio designs and delivers comprehensive, whole-of-government courses and engagements focused on all-hazards emergency preparedness, resilience, and response. These efforts address emergency management and national hybrid threats as distinct yet mutually reinforcing focus areas. Courses and engagements aim to enhance civil-military cooperation, strengthen capacity in emergency preparedness, and foster a comprehensive approach to emergency management that integrates civilian government, military, and civil sector stakeholders, as well as the receipt and management of international disaster assistance. These national-level, leader- and planner-oriented courses are led by teaching teams comprised of ISG faculty, multi-disciplinary subject matter experts, and field practitioners. 

International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) activities are designed to strengthen defense acquisition decision-making, and help nations understand and adopt modern business practices. The IDARM portfolio offers a wide range of courses focused on defense acquisition, contract management and negotiations, and defense project management. Courses can cover a range of interrelated subjects, providing defense leaders with the opportunity to explore strategic issues that must be addressed to improve their country’s defense acquisition business practices. Course offerings are developed in conjunction with faculty and specialized subject matter experts, and are tailored to the specific government organizational structures, national acquisition statutes and regulations, and defense acquisition objectives. 

The Logistics Capability Building (LCB) portfolio works with participants to increase the professionalization of their logistics forces to better sustain defense and security force capabilities. LCB activities help participants assess their logistics requirements more effectively and apply lessons learned within the partner’s unique context. Emphasis is placed on the need to integrate other institutional capabilities such as strategy, policy, and plans, and human resource management. 

Learning methodologies include case study presentations, lectures, small group exercises/activities, and structured discussions. 

Maritime Security (MARSEC) courses provide participants with the tools required to prevent and respond to myriad maritime security threats and challenges. MARSEC courses introduce and explore – at the strategic and operational levels – best practices and innovative solutions to address common challenges. Examples include understanding transnational maritime threats; enhancing maritime domain awareness capabilities; developing a maritime security strategy; integrating civil, military, and law enforcement agencies with maritime security responsibilities; and leveraging regional and other international governmental and non-governmental resources. ISG’s approach includes expert-led lectures, case studies, risk assessment, maritime governance, strategy development and tabletop exercises (TTX), a visit to a local U.S. Coast Guard station, and an emphasis on interagency and multi-national solutions. 

The Peacekeeping, Conflict, and Terrorism (PCT) portfolio conducts or contributes to educational courses and capacity building projects. Instructional topics cover causes of conflict and the full spectrum of conflict management, including prevention, various types of warfare, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and governmental/societal recovery. PCT activities help governments gain an actionable understanding of both conflict dynamics as well as approaches to building capabilities and strategies to avoid or prevail in these situations. The faculty team possesses expertise in United Nations (UN) and regional organization peacekeeping operations, ethnic and religious identity conflict, combating terrorism and counterinsurgency, civil-military operations, and human security in complex crises. PCT peacekeeping activities build partner nation peacekeeping training capabilities, curriculum, and staff to better contribute to worldwide peace operations. These courses focus on leadership, staff, and UN specialized roles as well as the training of trainers. This approach is highly tailorable and prioritizes collaborative and iterative instruction side by side with national training center staff.