Defense Department leaders delivered a stark warning about adversaries exploiting cyberspace and threatening national security during a House Armed Services Committee cyber, information technologies and innovation subcommittee hearing in Washington today.
Laurie Buckhout, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, and Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, acting commander of U.S. Cyber Command, called for heightened strategic focus, cutting-edge innovation and a world-class workforce to counter sophisticated cyberthreats.
"Adversaries transform cyberspace — a domain powering global connectivity, communications and innovation — into a contested battlespace," Buckhout said.
With over 40 years of experience in communications, intelligence and cyberoperations, Buckhout spotlighted the alarming rise of Chinese state-sponsored actors like Volt Typhoon. She said the group infiltrates critical infrastructure, including power grids, water systems and telecommunications networks, using stealthy "living off the land" tactics that exploit legitimate tools to evade detection.
"Volt Typhoon's actions expose the urgent need for relentless vigilance and advanced countermeasures," she said, citing its potential to disrupt essential services or enable espionage.
Her warning aligns with a 2024 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency advisory, which revealed Volt Typhoon's deep penetration of infrastructure sectors, posing a "significant risk" to national security.
Buckhout also flagged Russia's integration of cyberoperations with geopolitical aims, Iran's persistent malicious activities and North Korea's ransomware campaigns. She noted that transnational criminal organizations further increase the threat, targeting infrastructure with profit-driven cyberattacks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's vision for cyberdominance underpins Buckhout's call to action.
"We're pushing real-time inclusion of cyber — offense and defense — into planning cycles to leverage it fully," he said during an address at the U.S. Naval Academy in April. "In a world where cyber and space dominance will determine future battlefields, if we do it right … it should be our comparative advantage."
His directive drives the department's push to align resources with the most lethal and effective capabilities, prioritizing homeland defense against near-peer competitors like China.
Cybercom's Daily Battle
Hartman painted a vivid picture of Cybercom's relentless engagement.
"We fight cyberwarfare every day, defending the nation, securing DOD networks and empowering the joint force," he said.
In 2024, Cybercom executed over 6,000 operations — a 25% surge from 2023 — targeting malicious actors worldwide. "Our operations grow in scale, speed and complexity," he told lawmakers, projecting even greater activity this year.
Hartman highlighted the command's collaboration with the National Security Agency to optimize resources and technical expertise. He cited a congressionally mandated artificial intelligence roadmap, which fuels pilot programs to enhance operational efficiency.
"AI transforms how we analyze threats and deploy capabilities," Hartman said, aligning with President Donald J. Trump's emphasis on AI as a cornerstone of cybersecurity superiority.
Refining Cybercom 2.0
Buckhout addressed the ongoing evolution of Cybercom 2.0, an initiative inherited from the prior administration to streamline workforce management, training and innovation.
"We value Cybercom 2.0's foundation but recognize its shortcomings," she said. The current administration is conducting a comprehensive review to align the program with evolving threats.
"We view cyberspace as mission-critical and we're committed to delivering a refined strategy," Buckhout told the committee.
After lawmakers pressed for clarity on Cybercom 2.0's future structure, Hartman revealed that Cybercom favors a model similar to U.S. Special Operations Command, where a unified command oversees training and force development while geographic combatant commanders retain operational control.
"This model balances efficiency with flexibility," Hartman explained.
Workforce Challenges in a Competitive Landscape
Hartman said building a world-class cyber workforce remains a top priority, but intense competition with the private sector complicates recruitment and retention. He added that strong retention in specialized roles — interactive on-net operators, exploitation analysts and coders — is driven by the unique allure of national security missions.
"We offer opportunities no tech company can match," he said. However, Cybercom is struggling to attract broader talent, such as linguists, intelligence analysts and planners essential for comprehensive cyberoperations.
Hartman said the current hiring freeze and workforce reductions threaten to increase these challenges, noting that 5 to 8% of the command's workforce accepted voluntary separation offers.
"Our junior leaders will step up, but the loss is significant," he said.
Mental health support for cyberoperators facing chronic stressors emerged as a concern during the hearing. Lawmakers cited a congressional report targeting inadequate mental health resources for cyberpersonnel.
Hartman explained that Cybercom hired its first psychologist in 2025 and is actively seeking additional specialists to combat the issue.