Pentagon's Cyber Chief Warns Military Demand for Cyber Tools Outstrips Supply

Katie Sutton, the US Department of Defense's assistant secretary for cyber policy, told the DefenseTalks conference that her main priority is building a stronger set of cyber capabilities for military and presidential decision-making. She said the gap between what commanders want and what is actually available remains significant, despite years of growth in the department's cyber force since it gained expanded operational authorities in 2018.

Sutton pointed to the past year as a turning point where cyber operations have moved into the spotlight, citing increased operational experience and capability building. She referenced reports around a Venezuela operation involving former president Nicolas Maduro, where public statements suggested cyberattacks contributed to power outages, though experts noted physical attacks during the same operation could also explain the disruptions.

Sutton described a broader shift in military thinking, framing cyber not just as a way to counter hackers but as an integrated part of modern warfare, particularly around denying adversaries access to data. She also noted cyber tools can offer leaders options to respond to threats without escalating to physical military action.