Welcome to the Institute for Security Governance

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The Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Institute for Security Governance (ISG) is the Department of Defense’s leading implementer for Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) and one of its primary international schoolhouses. As a component of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), ISG is charged with building partner institutional capacity and capability through tailored advising, education, and professional development programs grounded in American values and approaches.

Latest News

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Mobile Education Trainings (METs) in Bogota, Colombia

August 30, 2024

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.

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ISG Principles of Defense Acquisition Management

August 30, 2024

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.

Developing Cyber Organizations and Workforces

Developing Cyber Organizations and Workforces

August 14, 2024

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.

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Strategic Planning Success: Panama Signs First Joint Operating Concept

July 25, 2024

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.

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ISG Defense Planning Seminar in Budapest

July 23, 2024

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.

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ISG Heron July Issue

July 8, 2024

Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter highlighting our work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building as well as the people who contribute to this important mission.

ISG Fundamentals of Maritime Security

ISG Fundamentals of Maritime Security

June 21, 2024

Congratulations to the latest cohort of the Institute for Security Governance's "Fundamentals of Maritime Security" graduates. This course is structured to provide participants with the strategic context shaping the maritime space in the early 21st century; an overview of various maritime transnational threats; risk and governance self-assessment exercises; maritime domain awareness; and strategies and solutions for governments to effectively prevent, prepare for, and manage the consequences of various maritime threats.

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Resident Course Refresh: Women, Leadership, and National Defense

June 18, 2024

The Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently hosted the latest iteration of its Women, Leadership, and National Defense (WLND) resident course at its headquarters in Monterey, California. This course brought together 11 participants from 11 different nations, including three civilians and eight military personnel.

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Civil Military Responses to Terrorism

June 13, 2024

We are proud to announce the successful culmination of the Civil-Military Responses to Terrorism course. This course gives those who drive and are responsive to domestic and international counter-terrorism efforts with tools to develop effective, integrated, and forward-looking measures that go beyond force alone to prevent, combat, and contain terrorism and build resilience to terroristic violence.

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Institutional Capacity Building for Logistics

June 6, 2024

The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded the resident course: Institutional Capacity Building for Logistics in Monterey, California. This course educates students from allied and partner nations (civilian ministerial level and senior military leaders) about the importance of increasing the professionalization of their logistics forces to better sustain defense and security force capabilities, from a public administration and civil-military relations perspective.

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ISG Lends Expertise to Support Key African Conventions

May 29, 2024

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently sent a team of functional experts and regional advisors to support the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, Ghana. Held in tandem in 2024 for the first time, AMFS and NILS-A provided a platform for over 350 government personnel and military leaders, representing 41 nations, and spanning four continents to expand maritime cooperation and coordination. The Ghana Navy, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF) served as hosts for these gatherings aimed at improving interoperability across domains and continents.

Cyber Policy DASD Eoyang Visits ISG

Cyber Policy DASD Eoyang Visits ISG

May 21, 2024

The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently hosted Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, Ms. Mieke Eoyang, and her team at the Institute’s headquarters in Monterey, Cali., for a productive senior-level meeting. DASD Eoyang shared Department of Defense (DOD) priorities on building ally and partner defensive cyberspace capabilities and provided updates on DOD guidance documents shaping U.S. cyber policy and priorities.

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May On-Site

May 15, 2024

The Institute for Security Governance Team just wrapped up an action-packed, three-day, in-person on-site at its headquarters in Monterey, California. Drawing over 100 participants from across ISG’s mission, this bi-annual onsite aimed to strengthen the bond between personnel and the Institute; to foster stronger relationships among colleagues; and to achieve tangible process- and implementation-related improvements.

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Blaire Harms: Panelist at Africa Land Forces Summit (ALFS)

May 8, 2024

ISG Regional Program Lead Ms. Blaire Harms recently participated in the plenary session on Human Trafficking and Migration Impacts on Security hosted by the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) in Livingstone, Zambia. During the session, Ms. Harms provided expertise on Women, Peace, and Security impacts related to human trafficking and migration to U.S., partner, and ally community members. ALFS 2024 brought together senior leaders from across Africa and other partner nations to solidify relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest, and encourage cooperation in addressing challenges. Kudos to Blaire for contributing to this important forum.

FY25 Calendar

FY25 Calendar

May 6, 2024

ISG is pleased to announce the FY25 resident course schedule. Resident courses are primarily conducted at ISG headquarters in Monterey, California in an adult-learning style with breakout groups, interactive exercises, student-led presentations, and related approaches — providing adaptable, scalable, and tailored education programs across a wide array of functional areas to address U.S. and partner nation security objectives.

About Institutional Capacity Building

Wondering about the approach of DSCA and its components to institutional capacity building (ICB)? Check out this video, which explains how ICB encompasses Security Cooperation activities and directly supports ally and partner nations; how DSCA manages and executes ICB initiatives; and how building capacity extends beyond the provision of defense articles and services to ensure full-spectrum capabilities.