Share

Cyberology
Warfare in the Digital Age: Leading U.S. Cyberspace Operations
This episode of Cyberology features DSU faculty Kanthi Narukonda and Jason Jenkins asking Major General David Gaedecke about his career and experience as the former Director of Cyberspace Operations at The Pentagon and former Vice Commander of Sixteenth Air Force (AF Cyber). He was the inaugural speaker for The Beacom Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
The questions for this podcast were developed and curated by DSU student Gwen Vongkasemsiri.
Major General David Gaedecke bio:
Maj. Gen. David M. Gaedecke is the Vice Commander, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Sixteenth Air Force ensures the readiness of more than 44,000 personnel conducting worldwide operations by delivering electromagnetic warfare capabilities, multisource intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance products, applications, capabilities and resources. In addition, they build, extend, operate, secure and defend the Air Force portion of the Department of Defense global network. The command also serves as the Service Cryptologic Component, responsible to the Director, National Security Agency, and Chief, Central Security Service, as the Air Force’s sole authority for matters involving the conduct of cryptologic activities. Sixteenth Air Force leads Air Force global information warfare activities with nine wings, a technical center and operations center.
Maj. Gen. Gaedecke earned his commission from Officer Training School. He has operational experience in the Control & Reporting Center, U.S. and NATO Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft and U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s Combined Air Operations Center. He has commanded a flying squadron and wing, as well as served on the Air Combat Command and Headquarters Air Force staff. Prior to his current assignment, Maj. Gen. Gaedecke was the Air Force’s first Director, Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority in the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Maj. Gen. Gaedecke has more than 2,000 flying hours including more than 500 combat hours and 170 combat support hours.
More episodes
View all episodes

12. Special episode: A Look Inside Quantum Computing
34:41||Season 4, Ep. 12On this bonus episode for the holidays, Assistant Professor Jason Jenkins interviews Dr. Peng Guo and Dr. Mariam Gado about their roles in quantum computing at Dakota State University (DSU). Dr. Guo, a physics faculty member since 2023, teaches quantum computing courses and has received an NSF Award for simulating nuclear reactions using quantum computers. Dr. Gado, a recent PhD graduate, focuses on quantum cryptography and has taught quantum computing courses since joining DSU. They discuss the importance of linear algebra and programming skills for students, the potential of quantum computing in AI, and the emerging quantum computing programs at DSU, including a graduate certificate and undergraduate minor.Check back later this spring for a new season of Cyberology!
11. DARC: Dakota State University Applied Research Corporation
26:54||Season 4, Ep. 11Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for the Dakota State University Applied Research Cooperation (DARC) Colonel Stacy Kooistra joins us for the newest episode of Cyberology. Learn all about this nonprofit affiliate of the university that is bringing cyber applied research opportunities to South Dakota, its mission and vision and the exciting opportunities on the horizon.
10. A look inside the field of cybersecurity
44:45||Season 4, Ep. 10On the latest episode of Cyberology, Dr. Andrew Kramer and Tristan Stapert join to talk about how people can learn more about the cyber industry and become involved. The two guests shared what interested them in the field of cybersecurity and how they first started exploring the subject matter, and how students before and during college can get involved in cybersecurity through camps, courses, and extracurricular activities. Kramer is an assistant professor in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences, and Tristan Stapert is a DSU graduate student earning a master's degree in computer science and adjunct instructor.
9. Cyber competitions from the faculty perspective
29:09||Season 4, Ep. 9On the latest episode of Cyberology, the cyber competition talk continues with Dr. Tyler Flaagan, a DSU alumnus and assistant professor, who talks about competitions from a faculty perspective. Whether he's competing or he is mentoring student competitors, Flaagan talks about the benefits of participation in cyber competitions such as Capture the Flag events.
8. Student cyber competitions
25:30||Season 4, Ep. 8On the latest episode of Cyberology, DSU senior Gwen Vongkasemsiri sits down to tell us about the world of cyber competitions. After participating in a cybersecurity competition as a high school student, Gwen was hooked and has been signing up for local, regional, national, and international competitions. "I think competitions are an amazing way to keep up on your knowledge," she said. Additionally, these competitions have sent her to states like California Illinois, and New York, and countries like Norway and Japan.
7. AI Deepfakes
34:45||Season 4, Ep. 7On the newest Cyberology, hear from a team of DSU students who will be presenting their research on AI Deepfakes for elected officials and their staff as part of the Center of AI's Congressional Exhibition on Advanced AI. Learn how easily someone real-time deepfakes that can be used on video conferencing platforms like Teams and Zoom.
6. Exercise Science, biomechanics, and biostatistics
38:45||Season 4, Ep. 6On the newest episode of Cyberology, Dr. Luke Chowning, assistant professor in the College of Education & Human Performance, talks about exercise science, biomechanics, biostatistics, and how technology is elevating it all. Starting with a broad explanation of exercise science, the body's response to exercise, down to the mechanical assessment of specific movements, muscles, or tissues in the execution of movement.
5. Leveling up with esports
31:51||Season 4, Ep. 5On the newest episode of Cyberology, we check back in with DSU Esports Coach Andy Roland. He shares the diverse games offered through the athletic program, highlights the team's move to the new space in the Beacom PREMIER Complex, and talks new esports courses available in academics.
4. Women in Cyber
40:32||Season 4, Ep. 4On this episode of Cyberology, Margarita Sallinen of the Swedish Defence University and the podcast Cyber Chats & Chill joins Kanthi Narukonda and Dr. Ashley Podhradsky of Dakota State to discuss their experiences as women in cyber. Sallinen is an information security consultant at Orange Cyberdefense and an AI researcher for the Swedish government. She also serves in the Swedish Armed Forces - Home Guard. Kanthi Narukonda is an assistant professor in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences teaching cyber law and policy. She is also the director of CybHER Institute, managing undergraduates in the development of cybersecurity curriculum for K-12 students. Dr. Ashley Podhradsky is an award-winning cybersecurity expert who serves as DSU's Vice President for Research & Economic Development and co-founder of CybHER.The trio talked about their journeys in the cybersecurity industry, the importance of diversity in both gender and background, and how organizations can best support women in cyber.