Cyber Security Research

Cyber Security Research supports the Department's National Defense Strategy priorities to Defend the U.S. Homeland including America’s skies and borders, and Deterring China in the Indo-Pacific. It does so by developing cyber capabilities that integrate functionally with electromagnetic spectrum operations to increase readiness and deterrence, particularly in priority areas such as USINDOPACOM. This program explores technical and scientific concepts to overcome challenges in the Joint Warfighting Environment with cyber effects and integrated non-kinetic options through applied research for an asymmetric advantage across all domains (maritime, land, air, cyberspace, and space). It applies the Joint Publication (JP) 3-0 principles of Mass, Maneuver, and Unity of Command to achieve specific outcomes with minimal collateral damage and unforeseen consequences for integrated non-kinetic effects development efforts are focused to support the Joint Warfighting Environment through intended cyber effects execution without perturbing the unintended kinetic and non-kinetic entities through disruptive integration of cyberspace operations with electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) and sensing. The program accelerates cyber S&T capability development to directly address INDSG priorities to defend the homeland and deter aggression/prepared to prevail in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility against China. Adversaries are increasingly leveraging asymmetric tactics in the Joint Warfighting Environment. The Department of War (DoW) needs to evolve its approach to warfare, integrating cyber and non-kinetic effects to maintain a decisive advantage across all domains. The Non-Kinetic Advantage (NKA) project is a collaborative effort aimed at revolutionizing how the Joint Force employs non-kinetic capabilities. By focusing on four key pillars – Protect, Process, Visualize, and Align & Shape – NKA will deliver a decisive advantage in the information battlespace. NKA will enable the Joint Force to conduct faster, more effective operations across all domains, even in contested environments. Will provide Asymmetric Advantage by mastering the information battlespace, NKA will provide a decisive edge against adversaries, deterring aggression and ensuring US dominance.

The NDS identifies PRC as a peer challenger. Credible deterrence in INDOPACOM and OPLAN 5077 requires a ready DoW and DIB workforce in Cyber, IT, EW, Data Science, and Intelligence. P3I’s mission is to be a critical enabler to meet the skilled workforce demand for DoW’s evolving and emerging requirements in IT, Cyber, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare (EW), and Data Science. Primarily supporting DoW/USINDOPACOM and its requirement to accelerate innovation and modernization of USINDOPACOM’s Joint Force advancements supporting a robust integrated defense. P3I capitalizes on the trusted network of the Hawai’i Defense Alliance / Military Affairs Council, DoW, business community, and academic institutions. Expand the Cyber, Data Science, Intelligence programs and certificate offerings across K-12 and post-secondary institutions. Partner with ROTC programs, Hawai’i National Guard, and transitioning Service members. The Payoff is enhanced USINDOPACOM mission readiness and workforce resilience by creating job pathway opportunities for Hawaii's youth, mid-career military, and businesses.

The University Consortium for Cybersecurity (UC2) was created under Section 1659 of the FY 2020 NDAA. Its mission is to increase communication, collaboration, and access between the academic research community and the Department of War. UC2 funds 6.2 Applied Research solving priority CYBERCOM mission gaps in coordination with existing R&E S&T Enterprise investments.

Section 1640 of the NDAA for 2019 authorizes the Secretary of War to carry out a program to establish Academic Cyber Institutes (ACI) for the purposes of accelerating and focusing the development of foundational expertise in critical cyber operational skill for future military and civilian leaders. OUSW(R&E) executes the ACI program on behalf of SECWAR and coordinates with DoW CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office in support of FY 2024 NDAA Section 1531. Establishes a mission-focused cyber-spectrum leadership development pathway that attracts and retains cyber and electromagnetic spectrum STEM talent by exposing them to priority applied national security problems. Establishes academic cyber virtual institutes at schools of higher learning, to develop foundational expertise in critical cyber operational skills for future military and civilian leaders of the Armed Forces and the DoW, including such leaders of the reserve components. Provide critically-needed mission-aligned internships to develop required skills, while eliminating logistic and financial barriers impeding pursuit of a DoW career. Increases mission readiness of military and civilians supporting the Cyber Mission Forces, Service Cyber Components, DoDIN Ops, Cyber S&T Enterprise, and the Defense Industrial Base.