The Future of BioSecurity: a DOD Perspective

Abstract: In the last two years, whenever the topic of biodefense and readiness comes up, a discussion of COVID-19, its origin and its impact, often takes center stage, and while this certainly provides a valuable case study in evaluating biodefense capabilities and maintaining operations, there is so much more to biodefense. Preventing the acquisition of dangerous pathogens, equipment, and expertise for nefarious purposes, and maintaining the capability to rapidly control outbreaks in the event of a biological attack and DOD's ability to operate in biologically-challenged threat areas are strategic interests of the United States.

The current administration has prioritized biodefense based on a number of factors. The impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid advancement within the life sciences, and the potential role that these technologies could play in future conflicts with our near-peer adversaries contribute to prioritization of biodefense within the Department. For the first time ever, the forthcoming National Defense Strategy includes pandemics and Earth system evolution as trans boundary threats transforming the context in which the Department operates. That's the threat space we're working in. It's complex and dynamic. And it will continue to rapidly evolve in the future and pose a destabilizing effect across the entire spectrum of warfare.

From cell therapeutics to wearable censors that detect early exposure to CB threat agents, we are seeing the capabilities of tomorrow enabled and emerging today. While this brings the potential for a lot of positive and promising advancements that could benefit millions of people, it also introduces a lot of opportunity for bad actors to make use of that same technology to advance their own agendas. In particular, chemical, and biological threats are expanding at an exponential rate because we're in the midst of a convergence of multiple sciences and rapid technological developments. As such, the Biodefense Posture Review and the National Defense Strategy are adapting to the rapidly changing threat environment so that the Department can stay innovative, and agile, in order to deploy emerging technologies to keep the warfighter safe and effective.

Bio: Dr. Brandi C. Vann currently serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs. This position serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense on nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, chemical demilitarization, chemical and biological defense and treaty management. Immediately prior, Dr. Vann served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense (DASD/CBD). She has held multiple senior leadership positions in Federal government including Chief of Advanced and Emerging Threats at Defense Threat Reduction Agency where she received the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Meritorious Achievement Award for her management of an innovative program to detect contaminated battlefields. Prior to her joining the Department of Defense, Dr. Vann served as the Director of Laboratories for Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation and a visiting scientist at the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.