Harmonizing Cyber Defense Efforts
The Air Force’s primary cyber unit is developing a new strategy to better synchronize the work of different groups of cyber defenders, with a particular emphasis on critical infrastructure and networks.
Mission Thread Defense
Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, commander of 16th Air Force, explained that the move for greater harmonization came out of work on „mission thread defense,” an overarching strategy focused on protecting critical operational sequences that span multiple systems and components.
Protecting Critical Operations
Mission thread defense aims to safeguard critical operations from cyber threats, disruptions, and failures, ensuring essential capabilities remain functional even under attack.
Base Defense and Public Utilities
Historically, the military has focused on Internet Protocol-based networks, but the threat landscape has expanded to include Internet-of-Things devices and digitally maintained critical infrastructure.
Volt Typhoon Concerns
The discovery of Chinese malware, Volt Typhoon, inside US critical infrastructure has raised concerns about a shift from espionage to holding critical infrastructure at risk.
Protecting Public Utilities
Hensley emphasized the importance of protecting public utilities that supply military bases, as the bases rely on these utilities to maintain operations.
Cooperative Agreements
The Air Force is working through cooperative research and development agreements with public utility companies to improve defenses and partnerships. These agreements include intelligence sharing, sharing best practices, and deploying sensors on utility systems for persistent monitoring.
National Guard Role
Hensley noted the National Guard’s authorities in this area, with exercises designed to establish partnerships and memorandums of agreement for crisis situations.
