The US Naval Forces (Navy) have released their inaugural cyber strategy, recognizing the crucial role that cyber warfare will play in future conflicts. The strategy emphasizes the need to move away from traditional military means, such as ships and torpedoes, and focus on the use of non-visible cyber tactics that can cause serious damage to enemy systems. These effects include interference in electronic systems, compromising networks, and manipulations with information consumed by military and civilian populations.
This new strategy is based on lessons learned from cyber operations conducted around the world. The Navy and the Marine Corps (Marine Corps) are expected to compete in cyberspace, protecting national interests, ensuring dominance at sea, and supporting comprehensive deterrence. To achieve this, the Navy will need to enhance its preparedness, strengthen digital infrastructure, and foster closer cooperation with the private sector.
The Navy is confident that this strategy will provide an effective plan of action to succeed in cyberspace and compete with opponents on all fronts. Special attention is given to sustainability, which involves the ability to protect sensitive systems while also striking the enemy. To support these efforts, the Navy has requested billions of dollars in funding for the development of cybernetics, network, and information-war technologies in the 2024 financial year budget.