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Bill YOUNG

Bill is a PhD candidate in the Engineering Systems Division and Colonel in the United States Air Force. He is also a military fellow at Lincoln Laboratories in the Cyber System Assessments Group. His specialization area is cyberspace strategy, technology and systems. Bill is a member of the Complex Systems Research Lab led by Professor Nancy Leveson. Bill was commissioned in 1991 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the US Air Force Weapons School and is a 2006 graduate of the USAF School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS). Bill is also a former Air Force Intern and served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Air Force Operations Group, and the Air Force CHECKMATE Division. Bill is an Instructor Electronic Warfare Officer with more than 2,400 flying hours in the EA-6B and B-52.

Academic Background:

  • 2011 - present • MIT, ESD: PhD student in Engineering Systems
  • 2011 • Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL: MA in Strategic Studies
  • 2006 • School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL: MA in Air and Space Strategy
  • 2005 • Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL: MA in Military Operational Art and Science
  • 1999 • George Washington University, Washington DC: MA in Organizational Management
  • 1991 • USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO: BS in Engineering Science (Aeronautical and Electrical Engineering Emphasis)

Work Experience:

  • 1991 - 1997 • USAF • Various Bases
    Titles: Flight School Student, B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer, Chief of Protocol, Wing Executive Officer
  • 1997 - 1999 • USAF • Pentagon, Washington DC
    Titles: Air Force Intern, Strategist
  • 1999 - 2004 • USAF • Various Bases
    Titles: B-52 Instructor Electronic Warfare Officer, Weapons Officer, Flight Commander, Weapons School Instructor, Strategist, Campaign Planner
  • 2004 - 2005 • USAF • Maxwell AFB,
    Title: Graduate Student, Air Command & Staff College
  • 2005 - 2006 • USAF • Maxwell AFB, AL
    Title: Graduate Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
  • 2006 - 2007 • USAF • NAS Whidbey Island, WA
    Title: Director of Operations, 388th Electronic Combat Squadron
  • 2007 - 2009 • USAF • NAS Whidbey Island, WA
    Title: Commander, 388th Electronic Combat Squadron
  • 2009 - 2010 • USAF • Randolph AFB, TX
    Title: Director, Strategic Initiatives Group
  • 2010 - 2011 • USAF • Maxwell AFB, AL
    Title: Graduate Student (Grand Strategy Program), Air War CollegeResearch Domain: Military operational design and strategic analysis; Critical Infrastructure Protection; Cyber mission assurance

Research Methodology:

system-theoretic process analysis; control theory; organizational cybernetics

Research Description:

Bill's research focuses on applying system-theoretic approaches to improve systems engineering, operational design, red teaming, and campaign-level mission assurance in cyberspace. Specifically, he is applying systems-based safety approaches to mitigate cyber vulnerabilities and enhance mission assurance during the early stages of military campaign development. If successful, his approach should enable designers to more rigorously address security as an emergent system property during the concept development phase in future critical infrastructure systems.

Publications:

  • “Discovering the Effects-Endstate Linkage: Using Soft Systems Methodology to Perform EBO Mission Analysis,” Proceedings from the 10th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium, 2005. (Nominated for Best Student Paper)
  • “Understanding and Diagnosing Adversary System Behavior in 4th Generation Warfare: A Soft Approach to EBO Mission Analysis,” Proceedings from the 23rd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, 2005.
  • “JFACC as Architect: Using Systemic Design to Create Options in a World of Wicked Problems” (SAASS thesis incorporated into courseware at Air Command & Staff College and the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies)



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