Mr. Michael Davis

Faculty Associate – Energy Academic Group
Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

Michael Davis will share details of the Spring 2021 ransomware attack on one of the nation’s largest pipelines, which supplies refined gasoline and jet fuel throughout the eastern seaboard, from Texas to New York. Via a brief look into the background of the pipeline and the anatomy of the attack, Mr. Davis will share how the pipeline was forced to shut down. Subsequently, via a review of the actions of the system operator, Colonial Pipeline, and the U.S. interagency, Mr. Davis will take the audience on a tour of the responses to the attack and vulnerability of aging U.S. (and allied) energy infrastructure, as well as some of the lessons identified from this event.

Biography

Michael Davis is a seasoned military diplomat, special operator, and scholar having served in a variety of assignments spanning nearly three decades of service in the United States Army. Michael began his career after graduating with honors from James Madison University in 1995. Michael is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the French Army Staff College (CSEM). He holds an A.A. in French from the Defense Language Institute, a B.A. in English from James Madison University, and an M.A. in National Security Affairs, as well as the Defense Energy Certificate, both from the Naval Postgraduate School.

His early experiences included Airborne and Special Forces assignments, involving operational and peacekeeping deployments in the Balkans, as well as combat operations in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM I,II, III, and IV. Michael transitioned to the U.S. Army’s Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program in 2005. Since that time, Michael’s career has reflected multiple international assignments and affiliations.

Michael completed his military career in 2022, culminating as the Commandant of the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO). During his time at the NSO, Michael developed and taught the initial Energy Security course for new FAOs at the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies, as well as supported NATO courses as an instructor in Energy Security, Operational Energy, Leadership, and Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection. Michael has published on energy security and international relations with Harvard University, Routledge Press, and the Foreign Area Officer Journal. 

Related Resources