From Communications to Cybersecurity, Enhancing National Security through Technology
Arthur Snyder
March 2012
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As a department chief engineer in the HS SEDI, MITRE's Art Snyder supports a number of communications and cybersecurity initiatives for the Department of Homeland Security. |
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As a department chief engineer in the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (HS SEDI™) FFRDC, Art Snyder is responsible for a number of cybersecurity and communications engineering projects at the enterprise level for the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and Energy. "In each one," he says, "the primary emphasis is on delivering quality, technologically advanced solutions that ensure that our sponsors' missions are met."
MITRE manages and operates the SEDI FFRDC for DHS, providing systems engineering and acquisition expertise to improve enterprise policies, processes, and tools for mission capabilities that ensure the nation's security.
Recently, Snyder assisted in developing technology and strategic cybersecurity and communications roadmaps for DHS' office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C). The roadmaps focus on technology trends, impact assessments, and recommended implementations affecting communications, cybersecurity, and operations mission areas.
As a leader in assessing cyber and communications capabilities for the homeland security mission space, he is using his deep systems engineering capabilities to help shape CS&C's strategic direction. This work is part of the SEDI FFRDC's broader goal to help DHS advance one of its priority missions—creation of a safe, secure, and resilient cyber environment.
Transformational Technology, High-Impact Results
As Snyder notes, in his 28-year MITRE career his work has run the gamut of communications projects and, more recently, cybersecurity projects. Several stand out as favorites.
One occurred in 1993 when he supported the redesign of the Pentagon's internal communications network. "One of our first tasks was to design a new communications backbone for transferring large and rapidly increasing amounts of information. Since the existing bandwidth analysis techniques were not adequate, MITRE developed new modeling techniques, analyzed alternate network designs, and recommended a redesigned backbone configuration for the entire communications network." Years later, this design was still in place and remained operational during the attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Snyder also enjoyed leading MITRE's support to the Air Force's Speckled Trout program. "The focus of this project was to design, build, and fly a software-based, digital switching capability for voice and data communications used by numerous radios and handsets." The team used the Air Force Chief of Staff's test plane, a Boeing 707, to assess the prototype and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for future acquisitions.
On another long-term assignment, he led the development and fielding of diverse communications media in a mobile command and control center. "One of my all-time favorite projects was when I directed an applied systems engineering and integration laboratory," he says. "We developed prototypes for specialized radio frequency [RF] communications. The team designed and built special-purpose computer boards and wrote real-time control code.
"The project included all phases of product development, from defining the requirements to designing, building, fielding, and testing it for operational capability. We reconfigured the component footprints via racking, stacking, and cabling of all the major communications equipment that spanned almost the entire RF spectrum. We also specifically designed the equipment to be installed in mobile shelters with electromagnetic pulse protection."
The end result for the government proved to be "a critical national-level asset for command and control. The MITRE-developed prototypes were highly cost-effective and innovative. They resulted in the transition of many of their design principles to products available from large commercial vendors."
These types of projects make him feel good about his work. "I appreciate that MITRE provides the opportunity to think big—to contribute to transformational solutions addressing critical, national issues. The tasks are complex and have a direct and important impact."
Chris Folk, leader of MITRE's cyber work across the civilian agencies, values the skill, experience, and passion that Snyder brings to his work. "Art Snyder is a fantastic representative of MITRE's staff—his work epitomizes the deep, technical value we deliver to our federal sponsors."
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
Outside of his work at MITRE, Snyder has spent thousands of hours volunteering with the Boy Scouts. "Over the years I have volunteered with the Boy Scouts in all capacities of leadership, from unit committee chairs to Scout Master to district positions. My wife is also a long-time volunteer. Not too surprisingly, all three of our sons are Eagle Scouts."
His other hobbies include practicing the piano (he says he cannot claim to play one) and any activity that takes him out of doors. "I like to be outside—doing anything from running a bush hog [mower] on my father's farm, to removing trees with a chainsaw, or canoeing.
"At one time, I thoroughly enjoyed tennis until a shoulder injury forced me to find a sport that inflicted less strain on it. Consequently, I now have fun with competitive five-person-team paintball whenever I can find time."
—by Kay M. Upham
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