DefenseTech TV: Cyber Defense at Global Scale

Rear Admiral Dennis Velez, Acting Deputy Commander at U.S. Cyber Command, shares insights from the Cyber Guard 25 exercise, a large-scale test involving over 6,000 cyber operators, multiple combatant commands, and Five Eyes allies. Velez details how the newly formed Cyber Defense Command is leading efforts to defend the Department of Defense’s global networks. He underscores the need for interoperability, not only across the services but also with domestic agencies and international partners. Artificial intelligence and high-powered computing are central to Cyber Command's ability to detect threats, act in real time, and support joint operations. Velez also discusses the command’s AI Task Force, which is rapidly prototyping tools that help cyber operators keep pace with evolving threats. Takeaways: Cyber Guard 25 tested joint-force readiness in a real-world exercise AI is already used in live cyber defense and task automation Cyber Command relies on collaboration across DoD, allies, and industry