Today, the U.S. Army’s data networks are as critical as its tanks and rifles, making cyber defense its most crucial, yet invisible, frontline. With millions of daily attacks ranging from simple intrusion attempts to complex, globally distributed denial-of-service attacks, the Army’s networks face a constant barrage. This digital battlefield is global, where the Army’s resilience and readiness are tested every second of every day.
Since 2007, SOSi has assisted in this fight, supporting the U.S. Army’s Regional Cyber Center for the Continental United States (CONUS), located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. It also supports operations in RCC-Europe and RCC-Pacific, delivering IT services and support of the Army’s global cybersecurity capabilities.
The magnitude of securing these networks cannot be overstated.
SOSi is responsible for maintaining and protecting the lion’s share of the Army Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN-A) throughout the CONUS AOR, which is about 80% of its overall network,” SOSi Program Director Jason Yingst said. “These networks span a vast geographic footprint, serving a large, diverse user base. As they are the digital lifelines that enable the Army to operate effectively, their security is paramount.”
The threats these networks face are as diverse as they are numerous.
“We defend millions of attacks against the Army in the United States daily,” SOSi Chief Growth Officer Jim Edwards said. “The attacks can be as simple as malicious actors just trying to gain access to our systems, or as complex as denial-of-service attacks being launched from places all around the world.”
To protect against these attacks, SOSi conducts threat hunting analysis and categorization as well as defensive and offensive cyber operations.
Over the past two decades, SOSi employees on the frontlines have witnessed firsthand the evolution of cyber threats and defensive cyber operations. Today’s threats are more sophisticated, persistent, and diverse than ever before.
“As cybersecurity is constantly evolving, as the threat is constantly evolving, we’re constantly evolving with it,” Edwards said.
This evolution is evident in the strategies and technologies being adopted. Cloud migration offers scalability and flexibility, while Zero Trust architectures reflect a shift in mindset, emphasizing the principle of “never trust, always verify” in a world where network boundaries are increasingly blurred.
As cyber threats ignore geographical boundaries, so must our defenses. Yingst said the next frontier will be a global one where each RCC will be unified under one umbrella. “The Global Cyber Center of tomorrow is going to become more of a central nervous system for the U.S. Army,” he said. “And because our team has been working with complex requirements in these different theaters for so long, SOSi efficiently and securely integrates new capabilities into core services for the betterment of network globalization.”
This journey through the Army’s cyber defense landscape reveals a story of constant evolution, resilience, and foresight. It’s a testament to the dedication and expertise of those working tirelessly behind the scenes, adapting strategies and implementing cutting-edge solutions to keep our nation’s digital infrastructure secure.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, so will the Army’s defenses. It’s an ongoing challenge to stay ahead in this ever-changing digital battleground, but one that’s being met with determination, innovation, and a deep commitment to securing the networks that our military relies on.
To learn more about SOSi’s work supporting the U.S. Army’s Regional Cyber Centers, click here.
