Episode 109 examines a recent report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on the arguments for a United States Cyber Force. This episode is a two part series of Project Cyber that looks at the arguments for and against a Cyber Force.
Our guests delve into their long-standing experiences with U.S. Cyber Command and detail the current challenges in cyber force readiness, recruitment, training, and retention. They then discuss how despite significant funding, cyber force readiness hasn't progressed as expected, citing adversaries like Russia and China as examples of rapidly evolving cyber capabilities. They highlight the inadequacies of current service structures in cyber operations and suggest that a dedicated cyber force could better meet the demands of modern cyber warfare. The conversation also touches on the potential integration of existing units and the implications for relationships with organizations like the NSA and DISA.
Rear Admiral (Retired) Mark Montgomery is a senior director at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, leading efforts to enhance U.S. prosperity and security through technology innovation and combating cyber threats. He directs Cyberspace Solarium Commision 2.0, focusing on implementing recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, where he previously served as executive director. With a distinguished 32-year career in the U.S. Navy, RADM Montgomery retired as a rear admiral in 2017, having held key roles including director of operations at U.S. Pacific Command and commander of Carrier Strike Group 5.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Kurt Sanger is a cybersecurity and data privacy attorney with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over 23 years as a cyber operations attorney, criminal defense counsel and prosecutor, adviser to the Afghan National Army, international law instructor at the Marine Corps University and National Defense University, and as a planning officer with U.S. Central Command. He served with the U.S. Cyber Command from 2017 to 2022, first as the lead attorney for plans, policy, domestic and international partnerships, and legislative affairs; later as lead attorney for operations and intelligence; and finally as the command’s deputy general counsel. He retired from the Marine Corps in November 2022. Kurt is also a non-resident fellow with the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, and a non-resident fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Matthew Moellering and Louis Tobergte are the hosts for Episode 109. Please reach out to them with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
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