The Pentagon wants to increase spending in cyberspace by 21%

WASHINGTON – The US Department of Defense is asking for $13.5 billion for its so-called cyberspace effortsincluding strengthening of information networks and research and development of virtual tools.

The fiscal year 2024 budget request, filed March 13, is a 20.5% increase over the Biden administration’s previous request of $11.2 billion and is also higher than the $10.4 billion in fiscal year 22, the $9.8 billion in fiscal year 21, and the $9.6 billion in fiscal year 20.

The plan comes days after the Biden administration presented its latest national cybersecurity strategy, more than two dozen pages in which it pledged to protect critical infrastructure, strengthen international partnerships and use “all instruments” of national power to end digital crime.

According to Navy Vice Admiral Sara Joyner, Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Petition Confirms Pentagon’s “Enduring Cyberspace Missions” and strengthens the authority of General Paul Nakasone, head of the US Cyber ​​Command. It is also funding five additional Cyber ​​​​​​Mission Force teams, bringing the total to 147. CYBERCOM and its teams are tasked with protecting the information technology of the Department of Defense and conducting military operations in the digital world.

“With this budget request,” Joyner said at a briefing Monday, “we continue to modernize network defenses, the capabilities to build a secure and resilient cyber architecture.”

Cyber ​​is increasingly a topic of interest and investment in the United States as critical infrastructure sectors including defense contractors, government agencies, food providers and emergency services are targeted by hackers.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has also led to discipline. Lawmakers and analysts have raised concerns about the possibility of attacks in the United States or the conflict spilling over into the digital realm, potentially compromising sensitive information or crippling vital systems.