Business Executives for National Security (BENS)

What does 🌎 look like from 480 miles up? According to BENS member and Polaris Dawn astronaut Jared Isaacman, “The Earth looks like a perfect world.” Polaris Dawn, launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral on September 10th, has already made history—twice! 🚀 The spacecraft orbited Earth six times at an altitude of 870 miles, marking the highest altitude achieved by human spacecraft since the Apollo Program. Then in a groundbreaking achievement earlier today, Jared Isaacman and fellow crew member Sarah Gillis also became the first civilians ever to perform a spacewalk. This mission opens the door to future exploration beyond Earth – and showcases the transformative power of public-private collaboration. Read more about this historic mission from The Washington Post and catch the replay of the spacewalk ⬇️ #polarisdawn #spacewalk #spacex #jaredisaacman #astronaut #nasa #BENS

On this solemn day of remembrance, we pause to honor the lives lost and the incredible sacrifices made 23 years ago today on September 11, 2001. We will never forget. 🇺🇸 #NeverForget #September11 #RemembranceDay #PatriotDay

Last week, BENS members David Bonfili, Samuel Cole, and Al Puchala shared crucial insights with United States Marine Corps officers in New York on how to utilize the #privatesector as a critical force multiplier for U.S. national security. Their discussions shed light on industry practices and strategies, particularly related to infrastructure and technology investment. This event laid the foundation for a broader #BENS initiative aimed at equipping senior military leaders with a deeper understanding of how to leverage private industry and capital to address today's #nationalsecurity challenges.

For decades, debates have raged about the impact of offensive #cyberoperations on #modernwarfare. While some military practitioners and academics argue these operations could revolutionize conflict, others doubt their relevance. In a new paper for the Texas National Security Review, Jason Healy introduces a framework to assess offensive cyber operations throughout different phases of war—from pre-conflict shaping to battlefield impacts. This approach aims to clarify where, when, and how these operations might influence warfare outcomes now and in the future. Read more ⬇️

We're "gettin' the band back together..." 🎶 Last week, we were excited to host our seven BENS regional directors at BENS HQ in Washington, DC. BENS Regional Directors play a crucial role in advancing the BENS mission. They attract top talent and expertise from the national security industry into our membership, organize and strategically partner to host informative events, and engage in significant and innovative industry projects. Additionally, they foster key business-government partnerships that are vital in addressing today’s most pressing national security challenges. Kudos to the team for the incredible work they do each and every day! 👏 👏👏

Two-and-a-half years of warfare in Ukraine have offered military strategists new lessons in how modern large-scale combat is fought. Last week, U.S. military intelligence officials attending the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) annual conference were asked what they had learned from observing Ukraine's defense of its homeland. Read their answers from @BreakingDefense ⬇️ #Ukraine #militaryintelligence #INSA

Organizations have been warned that a new ransomware gang has been responsible for hundreds of successful cyberattacks since February 2024. In an urgent joint advisory published August 29, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed that organizations across almost every conceivable industry sector have been targeted by the RansomHub ransomware-as-a-service actors. Learn more and discover ways to mitigate risk for your organization today ⬇️ Forbes #RansomHub #ransomware #FBI #CISA #cyberattacks

NEW!!! - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched a Services Portal & Voluntary Cyber Incident Reporting resource. This new tool is designed to improve cyber incident reporting and help CISA understand what is happening in the cyber threat landscape. Learn more and access the new portal ⬇️ #CISA #cyber #cyberthreats #nationalsecurity

BENS 2024 Eisenhower Award recipient Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, applying an industrial policy approach, has reshaped the U.S. Department of Commerce for technological competition with China. Foreign Policy recently interviewed Sec. Raimondo to learn more about her strategy and highlights what sets this Secretary of Commerce apart from her predecessors. #SecretaryofCommerce #GinaRaimondo #AI #CHIPS #quantum #industrialbase #China #nationalsecurity

📢 Check out this interview with BENS member & Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue CEO Michelle Giuda and CNBC's Becky Quick! Giuda highlights a recent trend where US companies are finding business in China less profitable and seeking new partners, sharing that those CEOs who adapt to this 📈 and act proactively will benefit long-term.