Cyberspace Activities

The Cyberspace Activities line item (LI 8645) in the Department of the Navy's FY 2026 budget supports a range of procurement objectives aimed at enhancing the Navy's cyber defense posture and operational readiness. This program is managed under the Other Procurement, Navy appropriation, specifically within the Personnel & Command Support Equipment budget activity. The primary goal of this line item is to ensure that Navy networks and information systems remain secure, resilient, and compliant with evolving cybersecurity standards, particularly under Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) 3 requirements.

NAVIFOR INFOCON 3 - Security Compliance (32F) is a central component of this line item, with funding allocated for the procurement of mission-critical hardware and software. The objective is to maintain security compliance for both Non-classified Internet Protocol Routing Network (NIPRNET) and Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET) systems. This includes acquiring software licenses, technical support, and system upgrades that enhance analytical capabilities and provide host-based security system changes. These investments are justified by the need to provide early warning and mitigation of malicious activity at the host level, ensuring the integrity and availability of Navy information systems.

The program also supports the Joint Information Management System, which enables interoperability between Navy and Joint systems. The goal is to facilitate reciprocal communications, streamline incident reporting processes, and improve situational awareness of cybersecurity incidents across the Navy. By enhancing these capabilities, the Navy aims to strengthen its ability to coordinate with other military services and respond effectively to cyber threats in a joint operational environment.

Another significant objective within this line item is the procurement and sustainment of deployable mission support systems. These systems are designed to provide flexible, on-demand cyber defense capabilities that can be rapidly deployed to support operational commanders. The focus is on ensuring that Cyber Mission Force teams have the hardware and software tools necessary to execute their missions, including directing, synchronizing, and coordinating cyberspace operations in defense of U.S. national interests.

The Persistent Cyber Training Environment node is also funded under this line item. This node provides a dedicated environment for continuous cyber training, enabling Navy personnel to develop and maintain the skills required to operate in the dynamic cyber domain. The objective is to support realistic training and exercises, which are essential for maintaining readiness and effectiveness in cyber operations.

Additionally, the FY 2026 budget includes a technology refresh for the Cyber Defense Mission Support System, with funding allocated for hardware upgrades. This refresh is intended to ensure that the system remains capable of supporting the evolving needs of Cyber Mission Force teams, providing them with up-to-date computing resources and associated hardware to execute their cyber defense missions effectively.