Elk Grove grad battles cyber threats for Navy
A 2002 graduate of Elk Grove High School and a 2006 graduate of Lewis University protects America from cyber threats as a member of Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group, known as NCWDG.
U.S. Navy Lt. Andrew Micula is a cryptologic warfare officer. His role is to provide situational awareness to decision-makers.
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.
Micula 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 our presence in cyberspace. NCWDG military and civilian personnel work closely with tactical commanders to develop cyberspace operational capabilities for strategic objectives.
"I speak a couple different languages and that helps since I work with linguists," said Micula, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Romania. "I had a good friend who decided to join the military after 9/11. He said I should join, so I did."
Micula also said that he is proud to serve at the forefront of technology innovation and cyber operations, helping to protect America from threats around the world.
"Growing up I watched a lot of James Bond movies, and since then I've always been intrigued by the intel community," said Micula.
"I wanted to join that community and I found an opportunity to do that in the Navy. There is a direct career path, and we [cryptologic warfare officers] know the steppingstones required to continue to excel in our career."
The future of U.S. maritime power depends on the Navy's ability to achieve their vision for cyberspace operations which is based on careful consideration of the threats, trends and challenges facing the Navy in cyberspace.