CASCADE - Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation

What is CASCADE?

The California Advanced Supply Chain Analysis and Diversification Effort (CASCADE) is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to bolster California's defense supply chain cybersecurity resilience. CASCADE ties into OPR’s High Road Economic Development work by providing technical assistance programs and helping grow and sustain California's cybersecurity and smart technology workforce through education curricula, training, and apprenticeship programs. CASCADE includes multiple project components executed by a consortium comprised of community, industry and non-profit partners; state agencies; and educational institutions.

Internet-based smart technologies like satellite-based applications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomy and robotics have significant potential to improve human life, shape global and regional economies, create family-supporting jobs, and contribute to climate solutions. But, the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2020 identified cybersecurity as one of the top five global risks and RiskIQ predicted that by 2021 cybercrime will cost the world $11.4 million each minute. So, it’s critical to secure the data the internet carries, stores, and transmits.

The National Cyber Strategy outlines a broad framework encompassing workforce development, supply chain management, and properly secured government networks as critical steps in protecting cybersecurity. It also calls for like-minded countries, industry, academia, and civil society to support technology development, digital safety policy, advocacy and research. CASCADE is working within that framework in California through a variety of activities, including:

Guidance on Cyber Provider Services
Cybersecurity Resilience Workshops
Cybersecurity Baseline Compliance Evaluations, Implementation & Execution
Cybersecurity for Space Systems
Cyber Career Commercial Pathways
Defense Workforce Cybersecurity Skills Upgrades
Cybersecurity Internships/Externships with DoD Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Firms and Cybersecurity Apprenticeships and Job Placements

Key Resources

Space and Cybersecurity Operations Challenge Series - California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo’s “Space Operations Challenge” series leverages faculty and students through the university’s Digital Transformation Hub and the California Cybersecurity Institute to increase the safety and security of thousands of satellites currently in orbit and develop a cybersecurity workforce training program for commercial space companies and providers.

Democratizing Cybersecurity in SmallSats with the Teensy Encryption Device

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo completed one of five “Space Operations Challenge” by creating a prototype solution to providing secure command and control communications capabilities for small and medium satellites.

Cyber Insiders 10-Part Podcast Series

This podcast series tells the story of California’s cyber economy, current threat landscape, protection and risk management strategies, cyber innovations, and workforce needs. The series features cyber leaders from California Army National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, ESET, GoSecure, Ernst & Young, Lockton, Cooley, Sentek, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, FICO, Qualcomm, Sharp Healthcare, Teradata, Journeys Map, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cal State University San Marcos, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and Defense Acquisition University.

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Google Podcasts

Cyber Career Map

This Cyber Career Map is an interactive pilot to map cyber education, trainings, certifications and career pathways. Individuals can chart their personal path to a cyber career with the exploration dashboard and zoom in for jobs, education, resources and much more. The map features an interactive dashboard, skills and interest assessments, community college catalogs and military to commercial tracks.

Cybersecurity Labor Market Analysis and Statewide Survey Results from California Employers and Postsecondary Institutions

This Cybersecurity Labor Market Study conducted by the California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research (COE) includes information about cybersecurity workforce needs in California and the scope of training being provided by educational providers across the state.

Cybersecurity Job Placements

This site illustrates the model SynEd is carrying out to work with intermediaries and partners to place California talent in defense-related cybersecurity jobs.

Cybersecurity Blog

This blog provides cybersecurity insights for small and medium-sized defense suppliers.

Cybersecurity Assessments

As part of CASCADE, CMTC helps small and medium-sized defense suppliers map out and assess potential threats and develop a game plan for cybersecurity.