February 12, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Fleet cybersecurity funding to see ‘increased investment’ in FY27 budget request: Navy official
The Navy has the chance to bake in cybersecurity from the beginning as it builds its Golden Fleet concept.
A pair of BQM-74E drones are in position for launch from the flight deck of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) during a live-fire drone exercise with Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as part of UNITAS Pacific (PAC). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stuart Phillips/Released) WEST 2026 — The Navy’s upcoming budget request will include a focused pot of money to increase cybersecurity aboard the fleet, the department’s principal cyber adviser told Breaking Defense.
“With the secretary’s focus on shipbuilding and the announcement of Golden Fleet, we spent some time this year talking about cybersecurity risk to the fleet,” Anne Marie Schumann said during a Tuesday interview at the annual WEST conference. “That’s an area where I think you’re going to see a lot of progress in the next year, especially given a number of the reform initiatives that are going on, acquisition reform, we have the announcement of the CNOs Fighting Instructions.” “I think you’re going to see increased investment and increased attention on cybersecurity of the fleet this year,” she added. Schumann noted that with several high profile efforts such as acquisition reform, Golden Fleet and emphasis on ship building, the demand signal for cybersecurity of the ships will have to increase.