7 Pillars Support US Navy’s New Cyber Strategy

The Department of the Navy released its first cyber strategy on Tuesday, featuring seven focus areas to align the service with the National Defense Strategy and the Department of Defense Cyber Strategy. 

The Office of the Principal Cyber Advisor and the Office of the Chief Information Officer collaborated to develop the strategy and ensure it includes all aspects of the Navy’s cyberspace activities. 

The Navy Cyber Strategy’s core efforts include supporting the cyber workforce, securing defense-critical infrastructure and weapon systems and conducting and facilitating cyber operations. The strategy will also defend enterprise IT, data and networks, form partnerships to secure the defense industrial base and foster cooperation and collaboration, the Navy said.

According to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the strategy was drawn from years of global cyber domain operations. He said the Navy is focused on the robust advancement of its cyber enterprise while cultivating collaborations with U.S. allies and partners.   

Jane Rathbun, Department of the Navy’s chief information officer, added that the strategy puts the service in a more effective position to defend its information ecosystem while emphasizing the importance of its cyber workforce critical to maintaining maritime dominance.