Cyber Priorities

The Pentagon never considered making cuts to its cybersecurity funding as it searched for nearly half a trillion dollars in cuts over the next decade, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said today.

Speaking at a information security event, Carter said the Defense Department would increase its investments in the cyber area if it could find worthy investments. He noted that DOD is requesting several billion dollars for cyber capabilities but could make room for more dollars if necessary.

Carter added that DOD wants to be “the firstest with the mostest” when it comes to cyber technologies, which means supporting innovations and providing platforms or ranges for the experimentation on and testing of cyber technologies, both offensive and defensive.

DOD can also make investments that are risky or whose payoff is long-term, Carter said.