Cybersecurity Spending Rises Across Agency 2013 Budget Requests

Although the proposed 2013 federal budget contains sweeping cuts in defense spending, one major area could see major increases: cybersecurity. With mounting concern about America's vulnerability to cyber attacks, the Department of Defense has requested $3.4 billion in cyber defenses for FY 2013, up from the previous year's $3.2 billion. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security is dramatically increasing its request for cyber security spending to $769 million, up from the previous year's $459 million. The proposed increases are taking place despite a reduction in the proposed Defense Department budget, from $670 billion in FY 2012 to $613 billion, and reductions in Science and Technology spending, from $12.2 billion to $11.9 billion.