FORT MEADE, Md. - Petty Officer 2nd Class William Sykes, a native of Panama City, Florida, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amber A. Weingart |
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.
Sykes attended Rutherford High School and graduated in 2002. Today, Sykes uses skills and values similar to those learned in Panama City.
“The life lessons I have carried over to my naval career are commitment and spirit of teamwork,” said Sykes. "I grew up watching my father and my uncle serve in the military. My father was an aircraft mechanic for the Airforce and my uncle worked for aviation support for the Navy. I saw firsthand the sense of belonging that the military provides. Coming into the Navy, I knew the expectations and level of responsibility I was committing to doing."
Today, Sykes 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 Sykes is so important.
Serving in the Navy means Sykes 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.
“We not only protect the U.S., but our influence extends to the world in different areas,” said Sykes."We protect the oceans, but also cyberspace."
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.
Sykes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of my contribution to a mission as a team,” said Sykes. “In my last command, we were a few of us accomplishing amazing tasks that could only be achieved with the camaraderie and spirit of teamwork. We became a family and built a support system where we became one team with one mission."
As Sykes 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 as a mass communication specialist means highlighting other,” added Sykes. “Showing the amazing things sailors from all over the U.S. are doing for our nation and the world.”