Security leader issues warnings of increasing perils at Alexandria's gathering

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), a key player in safeguarding the nation's defense, has been dealing with a surge in cyber threats. According to reports, one Fortune 100 defense contractor faces approximately 65,000 phishing attempts monthly.

The DCSA, central to defending our national power, has been proactive in addressing these challenges. Last year, it conducted 5.4 million course completions in extensive security training programs and oversaw more than 10,000 cleared defense companies nationwide. It also conducted over 2.7 million background investigations annually.

The agency, headquartered at Marine Corps Base Quantico, oversees 13,000 facilities and 5,500 classified information technology systems. This year, it began deploying insider threat representatives directly into military commands and installations nationwide.

Adversaries, particularly China and Russia-related cyber elements, view Northern Virginia's intellectual property and defense workforce as strategic terrain. The DCSA has seen a surge in suspicious contact reports, receiving over 32,000 last year, with 3,000 to 4,000 considered serious.

In recent years, there have been several incidents of classified information leaks. In 2023, an Air National Guard analyst leaked classified information on Discord, while in 2025, a Defense Intelligence Agency analyst allegedly sought to sell information in exchange for foreign citizenship.

The DCSA, formed in 2019 by consolidating functions previously handled by the Defense Investigative Service and Defense Security Service, describes itself as "America's Gatekeeper" responsible for protecting classified information across the defense industrial base. It trains over 100 new polygraph examiners annually.

The DCSA director, David Cattler, spoke about the mounting challenges facing his agency at the National Insider Threat Awareness Month conference. He stated that today's adversaries do not separate economic competition from national security. Rapid technological advancement, he added, is outpacing policy development, creating additional vulnerabilities.

Cattler also warned of a "perfect storm" of global threats targeting defense contractors and classified government work in the region. He cited Chinese cyber campaigns such as "Volt Typhoon" and "Salt Typhoon," which have targeted U.S. infrastructure and telecommunications companies, as examples of these threats.

The conference brought together security professionals from the military, government, industry, and academia to discuss insider threat challenges. The Defense Department faces competing pressures of economic strain and tighter budgets while demand for defense capabilities increases, making the work of the DCSA more crucial than ever.