The Pentagon agency responsible for combat support is set to support military services, combatant commands, agencies and allies in the multidomain conflicts of the future, according to a top official.
Speaking May 14 at an event in Baltimore, Maryland, Vice Adm. Nancy Norton, director of the Defense Information Systems Agency and the commander of the Joint Force Headquarters, said the U.S. needs to prepare for a multidomain fight, with more focus on cyberwarfare, and understand how it will affect the nation.
“Every sector relies on cyberspace, so the Defense Department must adopt a competitive mindset to achieve the resiliency and innovation our military needs in order to accomplish our mission and respond to national security threats,” Norton said.
She stressed how both her organizations depend on the private sector to provide IT and cyber solutions to support their missions and thwart digital threats.
“Through persistent engagement, government and industry can partner our research and expertise to develop innovative technology, services, and capabilities to pace the threat of our cyberspace adversaries,” Norton said, and emphasized trusted partnerships with industry.
DISA is looking to work with vendors that bake in cybersecurity into their services and solutions from the get-go, as well as those who proactively manage supply chain risks, Norton said.
“As a nation, we cannot be complacent,” she said. “DISA and JFHQ-DODIN, with our trusted partnerships and persistent engagement across DOD, government, with our allies, and with industry, must be prepared to fight and win in cyberspace.”