(Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)
A Miami native protects America from cyber threats as a member of Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group (NCWDG) based in Maryland.
“Miami is very diverse which made it easier for me when I joined the Navy since there are so many nationalities in the service,” said Ensign Greg Basior. “I am the latest in my family to join the Navy other than my grandparents who served in WWII.”
Basior is a software developer for the Navy who researches, designs, programs and test computer software.
Information technology advances at a staggering pace. Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems. While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.
Basior plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command’s mission to conduct cutting edge technical research and development to create, test, and deliver advanced cyber, cryptologic, and electronic warfare capabilities to the U.S. Navy using rapid prototyping and acquisition authority.
According to Navy officials, networks are under continuous threats of attack by a broad array of state actors, terrorist organizations, “hacktivist” groups, organized crime, and individual hackers. Motivations include personal gain, information theft, discrediting the United States, sabotage, political gain, denial or degradation of the Navy’s access to cyberspace.
“The cyberspace domain is a dynamic environment where new threats and complex problems emerge on an increasingly frequent basis.” said Capt. Brian Luke, commander, NCWDG. “It is only through the technical expertise and professional dedication of our sailors, civilians, and other partners, that NCWDG is able to meet these challenges. Their unique qualifications and specialized skills serve to satisfy fleet and combatant commander needs, and enable warfighting decisions.”
As the information age presents the world with new technological challenges, the Navy relies on its own cyber experts to shape its presence in cyberspace. NCWDG military and civilian personnel work closely with tactical commanders to develop cyberspace operational capabilities for strategic objectives.
Basior is proud to serve at the forefront of technology innovation and cyber operations, helping to protect America from threats around the world.
“I am also proud of going from enlisted, at the rank of E-3, to an officer and being selected as Bluejacket of the Quarter (BJOQ) and being at the top of every class I have attended in the Navy,” Basior said. The BJOQ is awarded to the top performing BJOQ in their department specifically for the rank of E-3 and below.
“Serving in the Navy and serving my country means a lot to me,” Basior added. “It is an honor being with this great organizaiton and I have pride in the greatest decision I’ve made.”
The future of U.S. maritime power depends on the Navy’s ability to achieve its vision for cyberspace operations which is based on careful consideration of the threats, trends, and challenges facing the Navy in cyberspace.
