DISA Plans to Roll Out AI-Enabled Cybersecurity Capabilities Amid Chinese Threat

The Defense Information Systems Agency is considering the use of artificial intelligence to automate its administrative-like cybersecurity capabilities amid the growing threat coming from China, according to Cybersecurity and Analytics Director Brian Hermann.

In a roundtable with reporters on Tuesday, Hermann said that automation will allow the DISA workforce to contribute their brainpower to performing “high-end fight stuff” instead of carrying out normal day-to-day tasks. He said that while DISA is “not where it needs to be,” milestones have been made, ensuring that the data only lives in a collective space and not in separate silos, Breaking Defense reported.

Hermann also discussed the agency’s plan to establish a “data lake architecture,” a replacement for the existing Big Data Platform that allows users to log into a single data-centric environment. He also highlighted how the data-centric layout will help in rolling out zero trust principles across its network.

Using AI to improve DISA’s cybersecurity capabilities is in line with the recommendation made by its director of intelligence. In March, Army Col. Richard Leach discussed the opportunities offered by AI and other emerging technologies in helping the agency embrace a zero trust architecture as it combats cyberthreats.