Welcome to the Institute for Security Governance

Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter that shines a spotlight on our work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building, and showcases the dedicated individuals behind these important initiatives.

In this issue, ISG:

• Marks the Institute's 30th Anniversary with an in-depth article looking back on its unique history 

• Welcomes brilliant new colleagues including a Deputy Director, a Maritime Senior Lecturer, four Regional Program Leads, and three Travel Specialists

• Profiles a combined DSCU Advising engagement in support of Bulgaria's F-16 program 

• Offers a Standing Ovation to Europe Regional Program Lead, Ms. Jessica Kehl 

• Spotlights Mr. Ian Wexler's inaugural year as ISG Director 

The Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded the Principles of Defense Procurement and Contracting resident course in Monterey, California. This International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) course provides a theoretical and practical examination of fundamental concepts and challenges associated with national and global defense contracting.

In October 2024, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) celebrated its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the Institute, its predecessor organizations, and its team of dedicated experts, have shaped and advanced the mission of Security Cooperation through determination, innovation, and dedication.

The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Ministry of Defense Advisor team in Tbilisi, Georgia, has been awarded the

Congratulations to the latest cohort of graduates from the Institute for Security Governance's "Women, Peace, and Security in Peacekeeping Operations" course.

The Institute for Security Governance recently concluded a series of workshops with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense, focusing on enhancing their strategic planning capabilities.

The Institute for Security Governance recently concluded its course: Building Institutional Capacity in the Maritime Sector.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded its inaugural "Climate and Environmental Security" Regional Course in Quito, Ecuador.

The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded a weeklong workshop on “Women’s Integration in the Armed Forces” in Yerevan, Armenia. Led by ISG Security Governance faculty member, Cary O’Connell, the event was hosted by the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation.

The intended outcome of the weeklong workshop was to develop policies to recruit and employ more women in the Armenian Armed Forces. Integrating women fully and equally can be valuable to a country’s national security sector.

The Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently led a peacekeeping operations workshop in Garmisch, Germany, with nine personnel from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Armed Forces.

Congratulations to the latest cohort of the Institute for Security Governance's International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) "Principles of Defense Acquisition Management" course graduates. This course provides a theoretical and practical examination of the underlying concepts, fundamentals, and philosophies of the international defense acquisition management process.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently delivered three Mobile Education Trainings (METs) in Bogota, Colombia. The METs included two courses in support of Women, Peace and Security, titled “Women’s Integration into the Armed Forces,” and “Women, Leadership and National Defense”—the latter with an emphasis on the important role that Gender Advisors can play in support of military planning and operations.

The Institute for Security Governance recently concluded its "Developing Cyber Organizations and Workforces" resident course in Monterey, California. This course acknowledges the importance of strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration in creating an effective military defense cyber organization to protect and defend military relevant and mission critical cyber terrain. Allies and partner nations sending students to the course understand that, to conduct defensive cyberspace operations, it is crucial to have a well-planned cyber organization with a well-managed and highly-skilled workforce.

PANAMA CITY — The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently attended the inauguration of the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security’s (MINSEG) first Joint Operating Concept (JOC). The JOC provides a vision for how MINSEG will plan and conduct future large-scale, complex Ministry-led operations of a joint nature (i.e., across MINSEG air/naval, border, police, and migration security services) in support of Panama’s security.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG), in partnership with the Defense Planning Department of the Hungarian Ministry of National Defense, recently held a seminar on defense planning in Budapest.