The director of the Defense Information Systems Agency said the Department of Defense needs to enhance its cybersecurity measures and technologies to counter threats and protect critical networks.
Speaking at the 2024 Department of the Air Force Information Technology & Cyberpower Conference, DISA Director Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner, a 2024 Wash100 awardee, highlighted how optimizing operations and industry collaboration can help secure the U.S. cyber landscape in the coming years, noting that data breaches in 2023 rose 72 percent and the cost of cybercrime is expected to increase to over $10 trillion in 2026, DISA said Friday.
Skinner emphasized the importance of integrating identity management into the DOD network, saying that “identity is at the heart of zero trust.”
He asked industry to deliver artificial intelligence capabilities that address risk management framework challenges and accelerate the civilian hiring process to help overcome the shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
“The problems we’re running into and are going to run into aren’t getting any easier,” said Skinner. “So that’s my ask to industry, is continue driving forth on critical thinking and see where we can improve.”
Skinner, who also serves as commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-DOD Information Network, discussed ongoing efforts to protect the DODIN. He said the DOD controls access at internet access points but the effort is not enough, pointing to the delay in implementing Comply-to-Connect protocols.