Security leader issues alert of growing perils at Alexandria meeting
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), headquartered at Marine Corps Base Quantico, proudly describes itself as "America's Gatekeeper," responsible for safeguarding classified information across the defense industrial base.
In a recent statement, DCSA Director David Cattler highlighted the strategic importance of Northern Virginia's intellectual property and defense workforce, as adversaries, notably the Chinese government, view this region as a critical battleground.
The expanding threat environment has resulted in a surge of suspicious activities for the DCSA. Last year alone, they received over 32,000 contact reports, with 3,000 to 4,000 considered serious. To combat this, the DCSA trains more than 100 new polygraph examiners annually and conducts approximately 2.7 million background investigations annually.
The DCSA's responsibilities extend beyond training and investigation. They also oversee the National Industrial Security Program, a crucial component in defending our national power. This program ensures that cleared defense companies safeguard classified information while working on contracts and research projects.
The DCSA's role is more vital now than ever, given the rapid technological advancement that is outpacing policy development, creating additional vulnerabilities. This was emphasized by Director Cattler.
The DCSA's efforts are not limited to the digital realm. They oversee 13,000 facilities and 5,500 classified information technology systems. To further strengthen their presence, the DCSA has started deploying insider threat representatives directly into military commands and installations nationwide.
The DCSA has faced numerous challenges in recent years. 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 has warned of a "perfect storm" of global threats targeting regional defense contractors and classified government work. Chinese cyber campaigns named "Volt Typhoon" and "Salt Typhoon" have specifically targeted U.S. infrastructure and telecommunications companies.
Recognising the need for collaboration, the DCSA recently hosted a conference on insider threat challenges, bringing together security professionals from the military, government, industry, and academia at the Patent and Trademark Office.
Established in 2019, the DCSA was formed by consolidating functions previously handled by the Defense Investigative Service and Defense Security Service. With their extensive security training programs, conducting 5.4 million course completions annually, the DCSA continues to play a crucial role in protecting the nation's classified information.
