Info
Cyber/EW Convergence 2026: An Operationally Vital Summit
Theme: Challenges and Benefits of Converging Cyberspace Operations and Electronic Warfare
Objective: Reliance on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and the military's global IT infrastructure has expanded to include nearly every weapon system. However, even as capabilities converge, the integration of cyberspace operations (CO) and electromagnetic warfare (EW) into military operations faces significant technical, organizational, and doctrinal hurdles in dominating this shared environment.
From the technical perspective, many EW and cyber systems rely on proprietary communication protocols that are not natively integrated, making seamless synchronization across space, airborne, naval, and ground platforms difficult, while military hardware often lacks the processing power or architecture required to support modern integrated software-defined networking and AI-driven effects. Organizationally, disputes exist over who should own and control integrated assets – tactical commanders who need immediate effects versus operational commanders (like USCYBERCOM) who manage high-demand, low-density assets. Finally, EW and CO are often governed by different legal authorities. CO frequently requires higher-level governmental approval due to fears of unintended escalation, which can be too slow for the rapid pace of engagement. In 2026, legal advisors face challenges in determining when an EMS action constitutes a formal "attack" under the Law of Armed Conflict, especially when those actions could inadvertently cause collateral damage.
Recognizing the importance of information dominance in military conflict, we will explore and tackle these convergence challenges by gathering the best minds and decision-makers in their fields in a classified environment to discuss vulnerabilities, attack vectors, kinetic and non-kinetic effects, and past, current, and future successes and failures, removing operational stovepipes that exist in these transformational domains and gaining superiority over our adversaries.
Classification of Sessions: TS//SCI
All attendees must be US citizens, hold a TS clearance, and be indoctrinated into SCI by their government agency or sponsor to attend the symposium.
Location:
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic
Cooper River Landing Conference Center (Bldg 3112)
Charleston, SC
Agenda
Session Dates & Times
Tuesday, June 2 | 8:30 AM – 5 PM | TS//SCI
Wednesday, June 3 | 8:30 AM – 5 PM | TS//SCI
Optional Networking Opportunities
Monday, June 1 | 5 – 7 PM
Welcome Beer & Badge Reception
Pour Taproom (rooftop bar)
Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District
560 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Tuesday, June 2 | 5:30 – 8 PM
Networking Event
Edmund’s Oast
1079 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Keynote and Distinguished Speakers
RADM Steven Parode, USN (Ret.)
Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence and the Director of the Naval Intelligence Activity
MG Ryan Janovic
Commanding General, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon
Speakers
Colonel Taylor “Nightmare” Blevins
169th Operations Group Commander
RDML Timothy Kuehhas, USN (Ret.)
AOC Palmetto Roost Chapter President
Zachary Hicks
Software Defined Radio Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
Dr. Nathaniel Husted
Chief Scientist (Cyber & EW Technologies), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane)
Joe Luker
Navy ISR/Navy Warfighting Decision Intelligence, NIWC LANT
Richard McVinney
Science & Technology Sr. Analyst, Cyber MI Group/Army Cyber Command
James Ward
Executive Vice President, Scientific Research Corporation
Samuel Wright
Senior RF Engineer, Trideum
Rodney Visser
CEO & Computer Scientist, Visser Communications
Registration
Registration is now open!
Registration Fees
- AOC Member: Industry/Contractor – $725 (includes meal package and Full Summit Registration)
- Non-Member: Industry/Contractor – $825 (includes meal package and Full Summit Registration)
- Academia: (must present valid student ID card) – $450 (includes meal package and Full Summit Registration)
- Active Military & Government Civilian (no meal package): FREE
*Active government civilian does not include contractors working for the government. Valid Government ID must be presented at check-in.
**NIWC employees’ lunch is not included in the complimentary summit registration. The fee for lunch is $20 per day.
Participation and registration fees are for US citizens only and must show proper government issued ID to attend.
This summit is closed to media and press.
*No refunds after May 28, 2026 at noon or for no-shows. Summit cancellations must be submitted in writing; telephone cancellations will not be accepted. Please email your cancellation request to [email protected]. Refunds will be issued minus a $75 administrative fee for all paid registrations.
Security
Security clearance must be submitted by May 18, 2026 – no exceptions.
All attendees must be US citizens and have a TS clearance and be Indoctrinated into SCI by their government agency/sponsor to attend the symposium.
Visitor Access Request (VAR) Instructions: Visiting personnel require a valid visitor access request submission either via DISS or by sending a PERCERT from their government agency to the functional mailbox requesting CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET/SCI access to NIWC Atlantic facilities. Visitor access will not be granted for more than 364 days.
A VAR will be submitted to BOTH SMO codes below. Hand carried visit requests will not be accepted.
TOP SECRET VAR:
Collateral SMO Code: 652366 Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC)
SCI VAR:
SCI SMO Code: 652363 Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC)
DISS Request Required Information:
Summit/Meeting Name: AOC Cyber/EW Convergence Summit
Security Management Office: SMO Code of site sending from
EXAMPLE 652366 Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC)
Note 1: The Security Management Office (SMO) will reject any SCI-level VARs sent directly from industry contractors. To ensure access eligibility is properly reflected, the attendees indoctrinating government agency must submit the SCI VAR on their behalf.
Note 2: For agencies that do not utilize DISS, NIWC Atlantic will accept Clearance/Visit Request Certification letters via JWICS. Contact SCI Access Control office via email [email protected] to request details. When sending emails, please use “AOC Cyber/EW Convergence Summit” in the Subject line.
Note 3: Successful registration for the AOC Conference does not mean your VAR has been sent by your security office or received by NIWC Atlantic Security. All registered attendees must confirm with their Security office that their VAR has been submitted properly. Failure to verify your VAR has been received before arrival, could result in a delay or complete denial in accessing the symposium.
Arrival/ Departure Dates of your visit: June 2-3, 2026
Visit/Event Point of Contact name AND phone, or email address:
(Not Security Manager) Robert Taylor (Robby) [email protected]
Phone: (843) 218-5256
Purpose of the Visit: Attending the AOC Cyber/EW Convergence Summit
Clearance level required at the visit site: TS//SCI
NIWC Atlantic Security Office Contact Information:
Collateral Functional mailbox: [email protected]
Collateral Access Control: (843) 218-6886 or 6202
SCI Access Control: (843) 218-2213
Location: Bldg. 3451 on Brig Road
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 07:00 – 15:00
Base Access
Deadline for submission is May 13, 2026 – no exceptions.
Visitors without a CAC must be vetted through the Joint Base Charleston (JB CHS) for base access prior to NIWC Atlantic Facility Access being granted.
JB CHS requires all visitors without a CAC to submit a JBC Form 111 (Base Access Form). Please note, the form takes 10 days to process. *Must be submitted no later than 2 week prior to event. Form list acceptable types of identification.
Return completed JBC Form 111 and copy (front and back) of acceptable form of identification to: Protocol Functional Mailbox: [email protected].
Trusted Traveler No Longer in Effect
Please be aware Trusted Traveler has been suspended INDEFINITELY. This means that every person in a vehicle must present a CAC or paper pass at the gate. No exceptions, effective immediately.
Hotel
Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District
560 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 414-4900
Group Rate: $259 per night plus taxes and fees
- Valet parking $49 per night/Self parking $48 per night
Last date to book room at the special rate is May 1, 2026 based on availability.
Sponsorship
If you are interested in sponsorship at Cyber/Electronic Warfare Convergence, please click here or email [email protected].
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Small Business Sponsors
