Partnerships are essential to the Defense Department’s proactive cyber defense strategy, according to Army Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, deputy director of U.S. Cyber Command. Hartman emphasized the importance of synchronizing efforts across agencies and with foreign partners to gain an advantage in defending against various adversaries. Cybercom remains focused on aligning with geographic combatant commanders and government partners to support regional cybersecurity strategies. This collaboration with partners allows the U.S. to have an asymmetric advantage in the cyber domain.
In addition to working with government partners, Cybercom has maintained close ties with key foreign partners through small team deployments around the world. These teams conduct defense operations and demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to cybersecurity through collaboration with foreign partners. Hartman highlighted the growing demand for these deployments, indicating that they are an effective way to show the United States’ dedication to cybersecurity. He also stressed the importance of leveraging technology and partnerships to scale global engagements, as the demand for these engagements is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
Hartman emphasized the need for adversaries to understand that the U.S. is serious about cybersecurity and will work with allies and partners to combat cyber threats. He highlighted the importance of creating an ecosystem where adversaries cannot execute their operations safely. By working together across the government and private industry, the U.S. can be most effective in addressing cyber threats. Hartman’s remarks underscored the importance of collaboration and coordination in cybersecurity efforts to ensure a strong defense against cyber adversaries.
Overall, partnerships are a critical component of the Defense Department’s cyber defense strategy, enabling the U.S. to leverage technology and collaboration with allies to effectively defend against cyber threats. By working closely with government and foreign partners, Cybercom can align efforts and scale global engagements to address cyber challenges. The emphasis on partnerships and collaboration reflects the interconnected nature of cybersecurity and the need for a coordinated approach to cybersecurity defense. Hartman’s comments highlight the ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and leverage technology to stay ahead of adversaries in the cyber domain.