Information and Cyberspace (Formerly Cyber) –
To maintain national security in a complex information and cyberspace landscape, the United States must execute decisive policy reforms that invest in innovative technologies, build digital supply chain resilience, develop the cyber workforce, and secure the advantage in the information domain. Unless the United States radically changes its approach through bold policy reform, it risks ceding the digital battlespace entirely.
This paper applies a four-part operational framework to assess America's vulnerabilities and prescribe actionable reforms. The framework focuses on four Lines of Effort (LOEs): regulating and scaling innovative security solutions, building digital supply chain resilience, developing a future-ready cyber workforce, and securing informational advantage.
Key Findings:
Innovation vs. Inertia: While the private sector races ahead in AI and cybersecurity innovation, DoD systems lag due to antiquated procurement processes and ineffective regulation. Weak regulatory enforcement and segmented security architecture compound these issues.
Digital Supply Chain Fragility: The defense industrial base suffers from fragmentation, poor interoperability, and overreliance on foreign suppliers, particularly from China, posing systemic cybersecurity and logistics risks.
Cyber Talent Shortfall: With over 450,000 cybersecurity vacancies and a hiring system mired in red tape, the U.S. cannot meet workforce demands. Outdated hiring policies and poor retention hinder the government from competing with the private sector.
Information Environment Under Siege: Disinformation, censorship, and algorithmic manipulation exploit regulatory loopholes, erode public trust, and allow adversaries—especially China—to shape global narratives at the expense of democratic values.
Recommendations:
Institutional Reform: Adopt a "Three Layers of Cyber Defense" model, implement integration readiness levels, and elevate technology adoption across DoD and federal agencies as a core leadership metric.
Supply Chain Modernization: Create a National Digital Supply Chain Security Council, enforce dynamic certification models, and mandate zero-trust architecture across the defense ecosystem.
Workforce Development: Establish a Cyber Reserve Force, modernize federal hiring, and expand K-12 and postsecondary cybersecurity education through public-private partnerships.
Informational Advantage: Update legal frameworks, expand media literacy education, and launch targeted strategies to counter foreign censorship, especially China’s influence over U.S. tech and media.
Conclusion: Technical tools alone cannot close America's cyber gap. Decisive policy action across government, industry, and civil society is necessary to overcome systemic inertia and protect national interests. This paper offers a strategic roadmap prioritizing adaptability, public-private collaboration, and enduring resilience. By acting with urgency and unity, the United States can reclaim its edge in cyberspace and defend the principles that underpin its global leadership
Read the report →