The La Jolla Conference on Innovation Support
for National Security

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The La Jolla Conference on Innovation Support for National Security will be held on June 9, 2009 at Calit2 at UC San Diego. The strength of our nation’s defense capabilities remains the top priority for government and recent innovations in technology have dramatically changed both the capabilities our military can deploy and the threats we face. Advanced autonomous robots have the potential to change the whole structure of future military operations and represent the next transformational technology comparable to the introduction of the personal computer. Cyber attacks that increasingly impact business operations pose a potentially devastating menace to military operations. The San Diego region has a history of pioneering technologies, and is well positioned to offer new solutions with our strong base of expertise in defense, high tech, security, C4ISR, unmanned vehicles, wireless, and IT.

This conference will explore how our region can leverage its experience in launching critical new technologies to help our government address these challenges. Leaders from government and industry will outline the technical challenges and solutions they believe are critical for preparing for 21st Century threats. Thought leaders from the defense executive, university research, venture capital, entrepreneurial, defense contractor, and defense research laboratory communities will be brought together by invitation to explore approaches for enriching the technology base in advanced autonomous robotics and cyber security. There will be 18 presentations in 4 panels along with ample opportunity for networking and one-on-one discussions.

CONNECT is organizing the Summit in partnership with key regional trade associations, including AFCEA, NDIA, AUVSI, SDMAC and The Security Network.

Keynote speakers:
James “Raleigh” Durham, Director, Joint Advanced Concepts, Acquisition & Technology, Department of Defense develops and leads key initiatives that support recommendations to the Deputy Under Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics on acquisition management decisions to best provide timely fielding of integrated combat capability to the Warfighter. Durham has purview over a broad portfolio of defense programs with responsibility for identifying system-of-systems impacts on potential acquisition decisions. Among his responsibilities is the active participation and leadership in the Joint Staff, Force Protection and Force Application Functional Capabilities Boards. Also, he leads the development of integrated capability roadmaps and supports acquisition program reviews, Strategic Planning Guidance and the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).

Lieutenant General Carroll F. Pollett, Commander, Joint Task Force Global Network Operations and Director, Defense Information Systems Agency leads a global organization of military and civilian personnel who plan, develop, and provide joint interoperable command and control capabilities and enterprise infrastructure to continuously operate and defend a global network enterprise in direct support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, and other Department of Defense components. He is responsible for directing the operation and defense of the Global Information Grid enterprise to assure timely and secure net-centric capabilities across strategic, operational, and tactical boundaries in support of DoD’s full spectrum of warfighting, intelligence, and business missions.

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