DIA Director Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Improve Intelligence Cyber Support

The director of the Defense Intelligence Agency said the government needs to improve its cybersecurity support for intelligence-related missions.

Speaking at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event on Wednesday, 2023 Wash100 winner Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier shared that the DIA is currently not in the optimal position to provide the best intelligence cyber support services. However, he said the DIA is currently talking to lawmakers and its counterparts at the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency about what cybersecurity support should include.

He added that the DIA’s Machine-Assisted Analytic Rapid-Repository System is slated for full operations in 2025. According to Berrier, MARS includes a cyber module, artificial intelligence technologies and open-source data that will help operators exchange information with relevant agencies and individuals. 

Berrier pointed out that MARS is designed to help cyber personnel and not replace them, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Other defense and intelligence agencies are also exploring novel ways to improve cybersecurity capabilities.

In early October, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced plans to use generative AI to support cybersecurity data management. According to NGA Chief Information Officer Gary Buchanan, generative AI and machine learning will help NGA operatives handle terabytes of cyber data.