AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity for Protecting National Defense Systems

Abstract

As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, national defense systems face unprecedented risks from state-sponsored adversaries, advanced persistent threats (APTs), and cyber-enabled warfare tactics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential in strengthening cybersecurity for defense environments through automation, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and adaptive defense strategies. This paper explores the integration of AI-enhanced cybersecurity into military and government defense systems, examining its role in protecting critical infrastructures, mission-critical networks, and sensitive intelligence. The study discusses the evolving threat landscape, AI-driven technologies for cyber defense, and policy implications of deploying intelligent systems in national security contexts. While AI provides enhanced speed, accuracy, and scalability in combating threats, it also introduces challenges such as algorithmic bias, adversarial AI risks, and ethical dilemmas. By analyzing these opportunities and limitations, this paper underscores that AI-enhanced cybersecurity represents both a technological advancement and a strategic imperative for safeguarding national defense in the digital era.