Presented by HII Mission Technologies
As Acting Deputy Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Rear Admiral Dennis Velez offers a rare glimpse into what it takes to defend digital frontlines on a global scale. In this episode of DefenseTech TV, he reflects on the lessons learned from the Cyber Guard 25 exercise and the evolution of Cyber Command’s role in integrating AI, high-powered computing, and global partnerships into national defense.
"We executed the entirety of our authorities," Velez says, describing the event as a stress test of operational plans, command and control structures, and real-world scenarios. The goal wasn't just to simulate future threats but to assess how current capabilities would perform in actual kinetic conflict support.
One theme that emerged from the exercise is the central role of interoperability. Unlike past exercises, which often remained confined to single services or theaters, Cyber Guard exemplifies a shift toward integrated operations across all combatant commands. For Velez, this reflects a deeper truth about modern conflict: "We fight as a joint force. We don’t fight as individual services."
That joint imperative extends beyond the Department of Defense. U.S. Cyber Command collaborates with state, local, and federal agencies as well as international allies. Information sharing with industry and academia is also crucial. Velez points to longstanding partnerships with institutions like Vanderbilt University that are now training cyber operators in real-world AI applications.
AI is no longer hypothetical. Cyber Command is already using AI for both operational defense and internal automation. From spotting adversary traffic patterns to accelerating command decisions, AI tools are proving essential. The command has even created an AI Task Force under its Cyber National Mission Force to develop, test, and field new AI solutions on a 90-day continuous development cycle.
"AI is foundational," Velez states. "We're not just using it in the back office. We're using it in operations."
But using AI in cyber defense comes with its own responsibilities. Velez is clear that training must keep pace with the technology. This means not only equipping operators with the latest tools, but also creating an advanced training environment that ensures trusted outcomes from AI models. His team is focused on validating data pipelines, building secure model monitoring infrastructure, and keeping humans in the loop for high-stakes decisions.
Another foundational tool in Cyber Command's strategy is high-powered computing. As data volumes grow and adversary behavior becomes more complex, the need for scalable computational power is increasing. The department is investing accordingly, and Velez sees this as critical to unlocking AI's full potential in cyber operations.
Equally important is the new command structure. With the elevation of Cyber Defense Command, the Department of Defense has signaled a new era of cyber strategy that integrates cyber operations more deeply with kinetic force planning. As Velez describes, cyber must now support real-time, on-the-ground operations across land, sea, air, and space.
He also emphasizes the value of honest after-action reviews. Success in exercises like Cyber Guard depends on whether assumptions hold under pressure. If not, plans must be reworked. Velez's team is already dissecting what worked, what didn’t, and how future iterations can improve.
"We 100% need our industry partners to be alongside us," he says. "We cannot do this alone."
Looking ahead, Velez says Cyber Command will continue deepening its ties with research institutions and tech companies. The focus will remain on deploying technologies that scale across the entire Department of Defense. As adversaries become more sophisticated and threats more distributed, the ability to act at scale—and with speed—will define the next generation of cyber dominance.
"Cyber is no longer an isolated domain," Velez concludes. "It’s fully integrated into how we plan, fight, and defend."
Key Takeaways:
Cyber Guard 25 tested full-scale readiness across combatant commands and partners.
Cyber Command has elevated cyber defense as a core operational capability through CDC.
AI is already being used in operations to detect, defend, and accelerate decision-making.
High-powered computing and continuous AI development cycles are critical to future success.
Collaboration across DoD, industry, and allies is central to effective cyber readiness.
Excerpts from this conversation are featured on DefenseTech TV. Watch the full program at DefenseTech.TV.