Cyber components of the military service branches will wait for a Defense Department directive before planning for budget cuts under sequestration, Fierce Government IT reports.However, the idea of sequestration is looming large among the military’s cyber leadership brass, according to July 25 testimony reported by Molly Bernhart Walker.
Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot, commander of Air Force Network Operations, told the House Armed Services emerging threats subpanel the Air Force’s cyber capabilities are relying on acquisitions that have not been scheduled.
Recent innovations will stall further without appropriate funding, she added.
Lt. Gen. Richard Mills, deputy commandant of combat development and integration commanding general for the Marine Corps, said sequestration impacts staffing, readiness and training and spreads cyber funds disproportionally.
Vice Adm. Michael Rogers, commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command for the Navy Department, said service commanders will not be able to arrange fiscal cuts for cyber projects.
Rogers estimated that they have 14,000 personnel under their cyber command with 75 percent of the workforce concentrating on cyber operations and the rest handling offensive and defensive functions.
Lt. Gen. Rhett Hernandez, head Army Cyber Command, said that if he had responsibility for aligning cuts, he would try to maintain the current workforce and continue investing in science and technology programs.
According to Walker, the Army currently has 11,000 personnel protecting and operating the network.
