Round Rock native battles cyber threats for U.S. Navy

By Lt. Egdanis Torres Sierra, Navy Office of Community Outreach

FORT MEADE, Md. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Mendez, a native of Round Rock, Texas, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Amber A. 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.

Mendez attended Round Rock High School and graduated in 2011. Today, Mendez uses skills and values similar to those learned in Round Rock.

“Growing up, the life lessons I have carried over to my naval career are adaptability and perseverance,” said Mendez. "I moved a lot during my high school years. My father was in the Army, and we had to relocate a lot as a family wherever the Army sent us to serve."

Today, Mendez 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 Mendez is so important.

Serving in the Navy means Mendez 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.

“Information is the key to staying ahead,” said Mendez. "My job directly reflects that. It is all about information. It's a collection but most importantly, the analysis of all of it."

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.

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

“Prior to becoming a cryptologic technician, I spent four years as a corpsman working as a pharmacy technician,” said Mendez. "While there, I had to grow a lot as a person because  it was my first real experience working as a team with a very diverse group of professionals."

As Mendez 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 means applying in my life our core values of honor, courage and commitment,” added Mendez. "Honor, because I feel I am honoring my country and the time that my father devoted to serving. Courage, because that is what it took to take this step and advance my life professionally. Commitment, because I learned over the years what that really means. Dedicating my time to the service of others."

Mendez feels everyone can learn something from military service. 

“I wish people knew how much you can really get when serving in the military,” said Mendez. "Words cannot sum it up, but it is all about lessons for life."