I'm writing to you fromAFCEA WEST 2016, one of the biggest naval conferences on the West Coast. Here in San Diego, I'm surrounded by both industry experts and military leaders who are discussing how to use technology to advance the Navy's mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. Cisco is here sharing our solutions for the Navy that focus on both collaboration and security.

Our Connected Navy initiative helps digitize naval operations, connecting the unconnected to assist the Navy in increasing operational efficiencies and performing their duties more effectively. For example, Cisco solutions can help the Navy improve the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance abilities on unmanned vehicles to increase situational awareness on the open seas. We also have tools that can help the Navy keep track of key assets on an enormous aircraft carrier, or improve shipboard security and the Navy's Anti-Terrorism Force Protection capabilities. Digitization can provide the Navy with an opportunity to better deliver net-centric warfare across the operational spectrum, which in turn helps keep our seas safer.

Additionally, for us security is given. At Cisco security is embedded into everything we do. For example, Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) provides protection across the attack continuum, detecting known threats both as they enter the network and turning back the clock to identify previously unknown threats. Also, as part of Cisco's security portfolio, Lancope's StealthWatch system provides visibility into suspicious traffic patterns and helps accelerate incident response. The increased network visibility and advanced threat detection Cisco provides is crucial to protecting naval networks so that warfighters can use them securely during their missions. And Cisco Industrial and Embedded products can be used for everything from mobile communications to unmanned vehicles. For example, Cisco embedded solutions are used in Marine Corp vehicles and aircraft.

If you're at West 2016, make sure you stop by Booth#1631 to learn more about Cisco's security solutions and our Connected Navy initiative. If you're not in San Diego this week, make sure you follow along on social media using#WEST2016 and @CiscoFederal for key insights from what I'm hearing on the show floor.