News Posts - Defense Security Cooperation University

In 2020, the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) – U.S. Department of Defense’s lead implementer for Institutional Capacity Building – deployed a Resident Advisor to Estonia to support efforts by its Ministry of Defense (MoD) to improve national Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). This effort was part of the larger bilateral security objective to ensure Estonia’s borders remain sovereign and secure through the use of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and data-sharing.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) was awarded the 2021 Secretary of Defense Award for Sustainment Training, Advice, and Assistance of Foreign Military Forces for the third year in a row.

In October, the Department of Defense marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month in which it strives to explore the fundamentals of cybersecurity and educate organizations on how to do their part to #BeCyberSmart. From where does the need for this campaign derive?

Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted professional settings around the globe. In the interest of public health, and in compliance with pandemic-related safety measures, many institutions have been limited in their capacity to continue operations. Last year, despite these unprecedented circumstances, the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) successfully explored and implemented virtual learning to continue educational engagements with partners and allies.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) conducted a workshop in support of the newly established state partnership between the Montana National Guard (MTNG) and Sri Lanka at the Helena Armed Forces Reserve Center (HAFRC).

During its first in-country engagement since the start of the pandemic, an Institute for Security Governance (ISG) team conducted a week-long engagement from August 9-13 in Pristina, Kosovo. The engagement, led by ISG Europe Regional Program Lead Eric Leyde, was focused on further developing the Kosovar Ministry of Defense and increasing the operational capacities of the Kosovo Security Force. 

In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared 30 July World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Since then, relevant agencies, states, and civilians have observed this day each year to raise awareness about human trafficking, and to promote and protect the rights of its victims. ISG joins in acknowledging World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. 

In July, the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) hosted its first resident educational event since early 2020. This four-week course entitled “Strategies and Capabilities for Cyber Challenges” is specifically designed for planners and those who advise senior leadership at operational headquarters and commands, and at ministries of defense, foreign affairs, and communications. 

In this issue of The ISG Heron, we cover DSCA Director Heidi Grant's visit to ISG HQ in Monterey, we congratulate colleagues on their awards, and we highlight the integration of the Resident Advisory Program into ISG.

Since the global emergence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in early 2020, the Institute for Security Governance has had to adapt and even reconceive how it carries out its mission. As pandemic-related restrictions are slowly easing, and both ISG and Partner stakeholders are being vaccinated, ISG in-person events have begun to take place once more. 

MoDA was established in 2009 to advance Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) mission and implementation; promote responsible governance, management, and use of security forces; strengthen relationships and institutions to advance reliable partnerships; and enable Security Cooperation investments with supporting and effective partner institutions.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) was honored to host Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Heidi Grant and a delegation from DSCA last week (22-24 June 2021) at ISG headquarters in Monterey, CA. The Director was accompanied by Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Acting President David Sobyra, as well as DSCA Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Director CMSgt Daniel Simpson and DSCA Senior Military Assistant to the Director Col Malcolm Pharr. This trip—Director Grant’s first to ISG’s campus since her appointment in August 2020—was aimed at learning more about the Department of Defense’s premier institutional capacity implementer and key international military education and training schoolhouse.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) conducted the state partnership program workshop for the Wisconsin National Guard (WING) and their partner, the Papua New Guinea Defense Forces (PNGDF), at the National Guard Headquarters, Madison, Wisconsin from 25-27 May 2021. The workshop aimed to enhance WING’s understanding of the historical and socio-political context of their partner, provide guidance on US and international partner priorities for the country, and establish a framework for working with the Papua New Guinea (PNG), setting the stage for a review and discussion of potential areas of cooperation between state and country.

The Institute for Security Governance has added two new Smart Sheets to its collection. The Defense Acquisition and Building Resilience for National Defense Smart Sheets were released Wednesday, June 2, 2021. These two additions join the original five which were released in February 2021.

On Tuesday, ISG recognized Andrew Wade, Director of Research within Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School, in a virtual ceremony acknowledging his efforts as an honorary member of the ISG team. Andrew was vital to the planning, coordination, and execution of four engagements with one of ISG's priority partners.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) is humbled and proud to accept the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence in Maintenance Training, Advice, and Assistance of Foreign Security Forces in the Ministerial Category, for a second year in a row. The 2020 award recognizes ISG’s efforts with partners in the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) to build capacity to conduct Capability Based Assessments (CBAs) to strengthen the effectiveness of one our important Middle Eastern partners.

We are proud to bring you the latest issue of The ISG Heron. In addition to featuring compelling goings-on around the Institute, The ISG Heron highlights our work in the world of Security Cooperation and our Institutional Capacity Building activities.

In April 2019, the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) was established by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) as the Department of Defense's Center of Excellence for Institutional Capacity Building (ICB). Despite the global pandemic, which hit just eight months into its transition from the Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), ISG forecasted 413 Advising engagements and 98 Education events with 75 Partner Nations in FY21 alone.

ISG's Emergency Management and Resilience (EM&R) team conducted a virtual workshop in support of partnership with the Republic of Serbia from 10-11 March 2021. This workshop was the first in a series of two this year with the focus on emergency management arrangements and cooperation mechanisms between various ministries, agencies, and organizations for the receipt and/or delivery of international disaster assistance.

An ISG team led by Bob Tomasovic successfully supported the 16th iteration of Yudh Abhyas 2020 (YA20) (a bilateral exercise between the armies of India and the US) from 8-20 February 2021 in Rajasthan, India. The Command Post Exercise (CPX), built on the mutual, strategic objective to strengthen the alliance between the US and India, sought to enhance the level of defense cooperation among both armies, enable security cooperation efforts, foster bilateral relations, and reiterate India’s critical role as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.