Mitchell Hamline School of Law graduate battles cyber threats for U.S. Navy

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach

FORT MEADE, Md. - Petty Officer 1st Class Micah Alsobrook, a 2021 graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Amber Weingart, Navy Office of Community Outreach

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.

Alsobrook plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command’s mission to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted equipment, and video display terminals.

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.

“As leaders and experts in Information Warfare, our sailors and civilians are at the forefront of disrupting the ability of bad actors to execute their plans, which often degrade U.S. interests,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet. “Because of our workforce and their world class skills and dedication to service, today’s Navy has the agility, tactical skills, advanced technologies and innovative mindset to succeed. Alongside our sister services, Fleet Cyber Command is on the frontlines to thwart malicious efforts in cyberspace – we are engaged against adversaries, around the globe and around the clock – 24/7/365.”

That’s why the work being done by Alsobrook is so important.

Serving in the Navy means Alsobrook is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The United States Navy is well known for its ships, which not only serve to support allies around the world but also to act as a deterrent,” said Alsobrook. "However, the Navy serves the United States in all domains: sea, land, air, cyber, and space. The Navy's presence in all these domains goes to aid in executing the objectives of national security by adding to the country's capabilities."

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Alsobrook and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“One of my proudest moments in the Navy was when I was able to graduate with my Juris Doctor,” said Alsobrook. "Since I was a child, I have wanted to go to law school. Up until a few years ago there were not any programs readily available for an active duty service member to go to law school, while continuing to serve. Additionally, balancing life, work, and school is challenging at any level. Thankfully, I had two extremely supportive commands and leadership that aided me all along the way. Without that, I would have had to delay until I separated or retired from the Navy to go to law school."

As Alsobrook and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy is a source of pride for me,” added Alsobrook. "Not every day is an easy day. The job can be extremely demanding and at times can seem thankless. However, I do not serve for the easy days or the thanks. I serve because of the mission and the opportunities to learn and grow. This job requires sacrifice at times. It requires hard decisions to be made, but every Sailor serving wakes up in the morning, puts on the uniform, and accepts that it is part of the job. We accept this, and we continue to do it because of that sense of pride."