Washington is grappling with an escalating cyber conflict against its adversaries, senior lawmakers revealed on Thursday. Critical infrastructure faces relentless real-time assaults that are increasingly hard to detect and thwart, they cautioned during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Chairman Roger Wicker declared the threats no longer hypothetical. ‘This isn’t a theoretical danger,’ he stressed. ‘It’s an ongoing battle raging right now.’ He highlighted U.S. Cyber Command’s pivotal role as the frontline defender in the shadowy digital realm, confronting sophisticated foes investing heavily in evasion tactics.
Wicker pointed to vulnerabilities in America’s essential systems, noting similar risks globally, especially as the U.S. bolsters cyber capabilities amid Indo-Pacific tensions. Nominee Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudder, tapped to lead Cyber Command and the NSA, emphasized that cyber operations are now inseparable from modern warfare.
Drawing from decades of experience, Rudder underscored the need for speed, agility, and integrated capabilities. ‘In today’s strategic environment, velocity, flexibility, and integration of all our capabilities are absolutely essential,’ he told senators. He affirmed cyber effects are fully embedded in military operations.
Ranking Member Jack Reed warned of a ‘window of vulnerability,’ with rivals like China and Russia fusing AI, information warfare, and cyber tools. He questioned Cyber Command’s readiness amid leadership gaps and structural overhauls dubbed ‘Cyber Command 2.0.’
Debate intensified over adopting a more offensive cyber posture. Sen. Dan Sullivan argued, ‘Isn’t the best defense a good offense?’ Rudder agreed Cyber Command must excel in both defense and attack, though deployment decisions rest with civilian leaders. Safeguards against misuse on U.S. citizens were also probed, with Rudder pledging to reject any such attempts lacking foreign ties.
Protecting democratic processes remains paramount, Rudder added, vowing to counter foreign efforts to undermine elections. As threats evolve, lawmakers urged swift action to fortify defenses and deter aggressors in this invisible war shaping national security.
