Risky Bulletin Risky Bulletin: Pentagon has more than 70,000 cyber personnel
Sep 19, 2025
The Pentagon boasts over 70,000 cyber personnel, raising eyebrows about efficiency. Recent hacks include stolen SonicWall configurations and vulnerabilities in various systems. Government missteps, like a DHS leak, highlight ongoing challenges in cybersecurity. Plus, two Scattered Spider members were arrested in the UK. Discover the intersection of policy, AI bias, and tech breaches that are shaping the cyber landscape.
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Pentagon's Massive, Fragmented Cyber Force
- The GAO found the Pentagon employs over 70,000 cyber personnel across 500 organizations, including military, civilians, and contractors.
- Many organizations overlap services, suggesting potential cost-saving consolidation opportunities.
Misconfigured Platform Exposed DHS Data
- A DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis misconfiguration exposed unclassified investigative leads to thousands for two months in 2023.
- The leak shows how platform misconfiguration can widely overexpose sensitive law enforcement data.
Scrutinize Forensics And Surveillance Contracts
- Agencies should vet forensic and surveillance vendors before contracts, as ICE bought GrayKey-like and facial recognition tools totaling millions.
- Limit or monitor such tools' use to reduce civil liberties and misuse risks.