What We Do - Defense Security Cooperation University

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INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY GOVERNANCE

FY22 What We Do Page

AT OUR CORE

The Institute for Security Governance’s (ISG) core mission is Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) and international education. Our engagement with U.S. and international partners enables and strengthens defense and security institutions, builds critical military capabilities, and supports shared security interests. We achieve our core mission by:

ADVISING ORGANIZATIONS

ISG ICB efforts are driven by broader U.S. policy, aligned with strategic guidance in the National Defense and National Military Strategies, and support mutual U.S.-partner nation objectives congruent with Geographic Combatant Command and U.S. Embassy plans, programs, and activities. ISG’s experienced teams work with partners to cultivate security governance, defense management, operational planning, resource management, defense logistics, cybersecurity, human capital oversight, and professional military education among many other functional areas. Baselined by detailed scoping and tailored project design, ISG integrates innovative assessment, monitoring, and evaluation practices into each capacity building effort, fostering long-term Security Cooperation relationships that fulfill Congressionally mandated ICB requirements. ISG employs Non-Resident Advisors, who conduct periodic multi-year, in-country and virtual ICB partner engagements as well as Resident Advisors, who provide persistent engagement by deploying in-country for up to two years.

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EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS

ISG’s tailored education and professional development courses support the sustainment of a comprehensive knowledge base and strengthen partner capacities to confront complex security and defense challenges. Delivered in the United States, abroad, and sometimes virtually in a short-course format, these offerings bring applied learning practices into bilateral or multilateral classroom environments. Participants are encouraged to engage in open, peer-to-peer learning, and form long-term international and interagency networks.

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PROFESSIONALIZING ICB

ISG – working with the various schools and components within the DSCU network – advances the professionalization of ICB practitioners through high-quality instruction in the theory and application of Institutional Capacity Building to the Security Cooperation (SC) enterprise and beyond. As the DoD’s primary ICB implementer, the Institute is a key resource for ICB-related information including best practices, common challenges, and lessons-learned, helping to refine and strengthen our ability to effectively engage with partners toward shared security goals.

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ISG FOCUS AREAS

ISG works globally with partners and allies on a range of partner advising, education, and professional development programs organized around the following capacity building focus areas.

Regional Focus

Africa
Europe
Indo-Pacific
Middle East & Central Asia
Western Hemisphere

ICB Advising & Defense Management

Strategy, Policy, & Planning
Human Resource Management
Financial Management
Logistics
Cyber Capability
Intelligence
Professional Military Education

Education & Professional Development

Security Governance
Civil-Military Relations
Conflict, Terrorism, & Protection
Maritime Security
Emergency Management & Resilience
Peacekeeping & Exercises
Cyber Capability
Defense Acquisition
Logistics

Emergent Capabilities

Women, Peace, & Security
Civilian Harm Mitigation
Climate Security
Space

Our Activities ― FY24 SNAPSHOT

ISG is dedicated to advancing U.S. national security and policy objectives by building the institutional capacity of partner nation militaries. ISG carries out this mission – at ISG headquarters in Monterey, CA and around the globe – through resident, mobile, and virtual education activities as well as through resident and non-resident advising.