WASHINGTON — U.S. Cyber Command is keeping a close watch on digital activity in the Russia-Ukraine war that may coincide with a springtime renewal of military operations, according to the organization’s leader, Gen. Paul Nakasone.
Nakasone, who oversees both CYBERCOM and the National Security Agency, told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 7 that his teams are monitoring the situation in Ukraine “very carefully,” noting that Russia remains a “very capable adversary.”
During his testimony, General Nakasone provided an overview of the current state of cybersecurity and outlined the challenges facing the United States in this area.
“By no means is this done, in terms of the Russia-Ukraine situation,” Nakasone said, responding to questions from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat. “So, as Russia looks at armaments coming into the country, as Russia looks at different support, how do they react?”
One of the key themes of General Nakasone's testimony was the growing threat posed by nation-state actors in the cyber domain. He noted that countries like Russia and China are investing heavily in their cyber capabilities and are using these capabilities to engage in a range of nefarious activities, including espionage, intellectual property theft, and even sabotage.
General Nakasone also highlighted the growing threat posed by cybercriminals, who are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to target both individuals and organisations. He noted that cybercrime is a growing industry, with cybercriminals using a range of tools and tactics to conduct their activities, including ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and social engineering techniques.
In addition to these threats, General Nakasone also highlighted the need for the United States to invest in its own cyber capabilities. He noted that the United States is facing a shortage of cyber professionals and that there is a need to increase investment in research and development to stay ahead of the curve.
The war in Eastern Europe kicked off Feb. 24, 2022, when Moscow launched a surprise incursion across the border into Ukraine, seeking to topple the government in Kyiv.
The invasion was preceded by a flurry of cyberattacks, including one on Viasat, a California company, meant to cripple command and control networks. The hack had no effect on Viasat’s government customers.
The CyberPeace Institute, a Switzerland-based non-governmental organisation, has reported that in 2022 alone, there have been more than 50 discrete attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian systems in Ukraine. The organisation catalogued these discrete assaults, including ransomware attacks, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and data breaches, as part of its ongoing efforts to track cyber threats and promote peace and security in the digital domain.
Overall, General Nakasone's testimony highlighted the significant challenges facing the United States in the area of cybersecurity. He noted the need for increased investment in research and development, as well as greater collaboration between the government and private sector, to address these challenges and protect against cyber threats.
