U.S. critical infrastructure is in solid shape, according to defense officials, and a digital transformation has helped define a proactive approach to protecting data and implementing cyber operations.
“When we know it’s critical infrastructure, I give us a good grade,” Principle Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon said at Defense One’s Tech Summit. “The combination of how we understand the threats, what we know how to do to protect it and, quite frankly, what the private sector is doing in terms of being able to detect and defend [our nation].”
Deputy Director Gordon also mentioned that there is a challenge in recognizing what qualifies as critical infrastructure, particularly when it comes to election security. She says that the vastness of computer systems makes cybersecurity difficult in terms of computer hygiene.
At the event, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy at the Department of Defense B. Edwin Wilson said that the U.S. is being more proactive and has put itself in a position to act, if necessary, in cyber operations and the utility of artificial intelligence is going to play a role going forward.
“We’re in a state of digital transformation,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Wilson said, adding that cyber capabilities are moving at a pace that is faster than anticipated. “That speaks to threats, and what are we going to do about those threats,” he said regarding cyber defense pace.
Wilson also made mention that he wasn’t aware of any constraints on the policy side that would limit technological advances in AI. He said that any limitations would likely be on the development side, but conceded that he was not an AI expert.
