As Forbes reports, there has been a significant increase in the military’s cybersecurity spending. In 2023 alone, the sector invested $36.9 billion, and that number is expected to reach $49.4 billion by 2028. This much needed attention is due to the alarming rise in threats and attacks, especially to ICS. It is also due in part to the mounting risk that state-actors pose, which is further fueled by geopolitical events.
Progressing Cybersecurity Terms
Considering the demand for cybersecurity in defense, the sector has made it a point to highlight the call for advancements in industry events. For instance, National Guard and Department of Defense officials hosted a panel earlier this month in which they discussed topics such as the need to “include cybersecurity measures in the development stage of new components and devices, especially those designed to work specifically on DOD and government networks,” as Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy writes for the U.S. Army’s site.
The focus on cybersecurity can also be seen in the progress of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification rule (CMMC). The Defense Department has published the final CMMC, which outlines cyber requirements for contractors. However, there is still work to be done. A recent report concluded that much of the defense contracting industry is not prepared to comply with these standards. Josh Luckenbaugh reports for National Defense Magazine that, “Despite the majority of respondents claiming compliance via self-assessment, only 4 percent said they are completely ready for CMMC certification.”
Working Across Sectors to Shore Up Defense Cybersecurity
While contractors work to enhance their cybersecurity practices to meet these evolving expectations, the defense sector is also looking to other industries for assistance. According to TechRadar, the government may be looking to Silicon Valley and the tech industry to step in. The outlet shares that the military may be looking for tech experts to take on part-time reservist officer roles in order to participate in developing solutions to national security challenges, including nation-state-led threats to critical infrastructure such as energy and water systems.
Sources:
- “Six Cybersecurity Trends For Defense Contractors As 2024 Concludes” – Neil Lampton, Forbes https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/10/14/six-cybersecurity-trends-for-defense-contractors-as-2024-concludes/
- “National Guard Bureau Hosts Cybersecurity Awareness Panel” – Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, U.S. Army https://www.army.mil/article/280705/national_guard_bureau_hosts_cybersecurity_awareness_panel
- “DoD ‘fine tunes’ final CMMC program rule, industry turns attention to implementation” – Justin Doubleday, Federal News Network https://federalnewsnetwork.com/acquisition-policy/2024/10/dod-fine-tunes-final-cmmc-program-rule-industry-turns-attention-to-implementation/
- “BREAKING: Few Companies Ready for CMMC Compliance, Study Finds” – Josh Luckenbaugh, National Defense Magazine https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2024/10/1/few-companies-ready-for-cmmc-compliance-study-finds
- “US government wants to recruit tech leaders to help boost security” – Benedict Collins, TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/pro/us-government-wants-to-recruit-tech-leaders-to-help-boost-security
