Addressing the Growing Cyber Threat Landscape: Evolving DoD Defense Strategies

October 3, 2024

Presented by Forescout Technologies & Carahsoft

Dean Hullings, Global Defense Solutions Strategist at Forescout Technologies, discusses the increasing threats to national security, which extend beyond state actors to include hacktivists and other non-state actors. These threats are becoming more sophisticated and are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure such as hospitals, power grids, and operational technology. Hullings highlights the need for the DoD to evolve its defense posture to not only address state-sponsored cyberattacks but also combat the rise of hacktivists. This shift requires the DoD to expand its focus from traditional IT systems to the broader operational technology landscape, working to safeguard essential public services and private sector operations. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government entities and private organizations, including local and state-level responses, to enhance national cybersecurity resilience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hacktivists, who may be backed by state actors or act independently, are increasingly sophisticated and pose a significant threat to national security, particularly to critical infrastructure.
   
   
2. The DoD must adjust its cybersecurity strategies to address both nation-state actors and the growing risk posed by non-state, ad hoc cybercriminals, including hacktivists.
   
   
3. The DoD is expanding its focus from information technology systems to operational technology, aiming for a more holistic defense strategy that protects not only government systems but also critical infrastructure serving the public.