School of War Ep 178: Mark Montgomery on Cyber War
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Feb 18, 2025 Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and senior director at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, discusses America's readiness for cyber warfare. He elaborates on how the U.S. is a 'target-rich environment' and the significant risks posed by Chinese cyber operations like Salt and Volt Typhoon. Montgomery highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the urgent need for resilience and clear doctrines in responding to cyber threats. He also emphasizes the evolving dynamics of warfare and the critical importance of adaptive leadership in this new landscape.
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Target-Rich America
- America is a target-rich environment for cyberattacks, with vulnerable critical infrastructure.
- These vulnerabilities impact military mobilization, economic power, and public health and safety.
Mobilization Vulnerabilities
- Military mobilization relies heavily on civilian infrastructure (rail, air, ports) vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- These civilian systems lack the cybersecurity protections of military bases, creating a significant weakness.
Cyber Attack Scenario
- Chinese attackers could exploit existing vulnerabilities in civilian infrastructure to disrupt military movements.
- They would likely install malware, wait, and then disrupt or damage networks during mobilization.