A Growing Threat to Our Communities
A hospital losing access to patient records, a city’s water supply contaminated, or a region left without power—these scenarios feel like nightmares, but they’re terrifyingly real. State-sponsored hackers, such as China’s Volt Typhoon, are infiltrating our critical infrastructure, turning cyberspace into a weapon. The Department of Defense raised this alarm during a recent House hearing, exposing the scale of the danger. Their response, however, prioritizes military might over the comprehensive action our communities deserve. We can’t afford to lag behind when lives are on the line.
Laurie Buckhout, acting assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, detailed how Volt Typhoon targets power grids, water systems, and telecom networks with tactics that evade detection. These attacks don’t just disrupt systems; they endanger families, businesses, and entire towns. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s 2024 advisory confirms this, revealing Volt Typhoon’s deep reach into vital sectors. With nation-state cyberattacks surging 150% from 2024 to 2025, why are we still relying on outdated strategies?
Russia, Iran, and North Korea amplify the threat, deploying ransomware and AI-driven phishing to destabilize our economy and security. The DoD’s focus on offensive cyber operations, while necessary, overlooks the urgent need to protect our hospitals and schools. Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman cited 6,000 cyber operations in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Numbers impress, but they don’t address the human cost of a breached power grid or a crippled healthcare system.
Every American depends on these systems. A cyberattack on critical infrastructure halts surgeries, shutters small businesses, and isolates vulnerable communities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s vision of cyber dominance aims to deter adversaries, but deterrence alone won’t secure a rural clinic or a municipal water plant. We need a strategy that puts people first, one that builds resilience across society, not just within the Pentagon’s walls.
The stakes are clear: our way of life hangs in the balance. The DoD’s approach, rooted in military superiority, misses the broader need for collaboration with communities, industries, and allies. A truly secure future demands a collective effort to safeguard the systems we all rely on.
Building a Cyber Workforce for Tomorrow
At the heart of any cyber defense are the people who fight for it, yet the DoD struggles to recruit and retain the talent we need. Hartman admitted that competition with tech companies hinders hiring for roles like linguists and analysts. A 5 to 8% workforce loss from voluntary separations compounds the problem, leaving gaps in our national security. This isn’t a minor issue; it’s a crisis that demands bold solutions.
Research highlights a nationwide shortage of 500,000 to 700,000 cybersecurity professionals. Government pay trails private sector salaries by up to 30%, and lengthy clearance processes deter applicants. Burnout is a persistent challenge, with turnover rates in some agencies hitting 60% annually. The DoD touts the unique appeal of national security missions, but that alone can’t compete with better pay and work-life balance elsewhere. Why should our cyber defenders face such barriers?
Mental health support is another weak point. Lawmakers pressed Hartman on inadequate resources, and he noted Cybercom’s recent hire of a single psychologist in 2025. One specialist for a command facing chronic stress is a drop in the bucket. We need comprehensive mental health programs, loan repayment incentives, and clear career paths to retain talent. Programs like the Cyber Talent Initiative show promise, but they need to scale up to close the 4.8 million-person global skills gap.
The DoD’s plan to model Cybercom 2.0 after Special Operations Command could streamline training and operations. It’s a solid idea, but cybersecurity extends beyond the military. Investing in diverse talent—from community colleges to underrepresented groups—would strengthen our defenses and reflect the communities we serve.
A Global Challenge Needs Global Answers
Cyber threats don’t respect borders, yet the DoD’s strategy leans heavily on unilateral action. A 50% rise in critical infrastructure attacks underscores the vulnerability of our interconnected grids and pipelines. The Pentagon’s 2023 Cyber Strategy, backed by $14.5 billion, prioritizes resilience and human capital but falls short on international collaboration. To outpace adversaries, we need to work with allies, not go it alone.
Policymakers advocating for multilateral approaches, such as NATO’s Cyber Defense Pledge, emphasize shared threat intelligence and collective defenses. The UN’s norms initiatives aim to hold rogue actors accountable. These efforts treat cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, fostering an open, rights-respecting digital ecosystem. Why limit ourselves to military solutions when global partnerships can amplify our impact?
The DoD’s use of AI for threat detection holds potential but raises ethical questions. Adversaries exploit AI for deepfake disinformation and zero-day attacks, and without strict oversight, our own systems risk bias or unintended escalation. Establishing clear norms for AI in cyber defense would balance innovation with accountability, ensuring our tools don’t become liabilities.
Securing Our Future Together
The DoD’s warnings expose a stark reality: our digital future is under siege. But their military-focused approach isn’t enough. Cybersecurity is about protecting our communities, our economy, and our values. We need a revolution in how we invest in people, forge alliances, and build resilience across society.
This fight belongs to all of us. Support workforce training grants, push for stronger software regulations, and back leaders who prioritize collective security. Our schools, hospitals, and homes depend on it. The threats are daunting, but our ability to act is limitless. Will we seize this moment to protect our future?
Let’s create a digital world that’s safe, inclusive, and resilient. The time for bold action is now—our communities can’t wait.