Vautrinot discusses the importance of cyber operations

  • Published
  • By Auburn Davis
  • Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) --  The 24th Air Force commander spoke on April 16 at the Annual Cyber 1.2 event at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot, who is also the commander of the Air Force's Cyber Air Component to USCYBERCOM Network Operations, is responsible for the Air Force's component force that provides combatant commanders with trained and ready cyber forces, discussed the importance of the 24th Air Force mission.

"When we talk about cyber, we are talking about mission; a mission focus and a mission accomplishment. My mission focus, just like in any other domain--whether it is ground, sea, air or space--the same is true for cyber: we are responding to orders and guidance that support this nation in its responsibilities and national security efforts around the globe," Vautrinot said.

She described how the 24th Air Force is the operational warfighting organization that establishes, operates, maintains and defends Air Force networks, and conducts full-spectrum operations in cyberspace.

The general explained that full spectrum is offense, defense and exploitation. They merge together at Cyber Command, and are provided to the combatant commands so they can execute their missions.

She also said that it is important to defend Air Force networks to ensure warfighters can maintain the information advantage as they execute military operations.

"The defense can make a huge difference," the general said, "and it makes the difference by understanding what is happening on the field of play and getting in front of it before a play can form, that is the beginning of forensics."

When looking at forensics from a defensive standpoint, it is like reviewing the game tapes before a football game, General Vautrinot explained. A person is able to "stop the play" before adversaries get any ground.

When someone watches them over and over again, the "signature" advises the defense, she said. More importantly someone can get to the next step of heuristics and know what any play may look like and let the system automatically adjust ... in cyber-time.

"It is about proactive defense in depth" she said.

Vautrinot said cyber defense is all about being able to apply knowledge across all possibilities of how someone can take advantage of their architectures and their ability to use cyber as an advantage.