A new Pentagon exhibit called "Keep the Edge: Security, Law Enforcement, Counterintelligence" officially opened Monday, Aug. 30.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, hosted by Mr. Ronald Moultrie, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, with remarks from Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Security of Defense. The timing coincides with the start of the third annual National Insider Threat Awareness Month, which was declared a national observance in 2019.
The goal of NITAM is to help detect, deter and mitigate insider threats by increasing awareness and promoting reporting in order to prevent harm to people, organizations and resources.
The Keep the Edge exhibit showcases the meaning of NITAM through six panel displays: The Department of Defense Oath of Office, Criminal Leakers, History of Spying, Active Shooters, International Threats and Prevention, and A Call to Action — Respond — Report.
“Throughout the exhibit there are more than 600 examples of individuals who have been in engaged in espionage, criminal leaking, sabotage, terrorism or active-shooter incidents against our nation,” said Moultrie.
The three-year process to create the exhibit was led by MaryAnn Cummings, a retired U.S. Army officer who now serves as a senior strategic communications advisor for Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
“Army Soldiers are highlighted in the first still imagery kiosk because they, along with the other services, are the strategic advantage our nation has over our adversaries. Our military forces are the "edge" in 'Keep the Edge'" said Cummings. "The exhibit's purpose is to remind everyone of their responsibility to maintain security and protect those who selflessly serve our nation and provide our strategic edge over other nations."
Cummings explained how Keep the Edge is a reminder for all of us to safeguard information, protect our nation's security and watch out for our service members and civilian workforce who selflessly serve our nation every day.
“Defense Department members are called upon to redouble their efforts in practicing sound security habits and looking out for the well-being of their co-workers in a complex and challenging security environment,” said Hicks.
The Keep the Edge exhibit, which is located on the second floor in Pentagon corridor two, includes videos, artifacts and printed materials, covering 30 terrorist attacks against the United States and the nearly 600 individuals who harmed the nation.
The exhibit is dedicated to all of the special agents, intelligence analysts, law enforcement officers and counterintelligence professionals who work each day to support and protect DoD warfighters and civilian employees.
For more information about NITAM and to learn about this month’s theme, Insider Threat and Cultural Awareness, please visit the Center for Development of Security Excellence NITAM website.
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