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School of War

Ep 178: Mark Montgomery on Cyber War

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.
52:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The U.S. critical infrastructure, particularly in military mobilization and energy, is significantly underprotected against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
  • Effective military mobilization is compromised by dependence on civilian systems, which pose substantial risks if targeted by adversaries during crises.

Deep dives

Cyber Vulnerabilities in National Infrastructure

The discussion highlights the significant vulnerabilities in America's critical infrastructure that could be targeted by cyber attacks, particularly by state actors such as China. Key infrastructures, including military mobilization, energy production, and public health systems, are noted to be inadequately protected, creating opportunities for adversaries to impact the U.S. operational capabilities in times of crisis. The conversation emphasizes the need for understanding how such cyber attacks could disrupt military planning and transportation, drawing attention to the heavy reliance on civilian-run systems that lack robust cybersecurity measures. As adversaries become more sophisticated, there is an urgent necessity for U.S. authorities to reinforce the defenses of these infrastructures to prevent cyber disruptions during military operations.

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