The U.S. Navy understands full spectrum cyber warfare and is devoted to discovering where vulnerabilities exist in weapons systems to enhance security and mission accomplishment. However, despite many advantages, the cyber warfare threats outpace the federal and Department of Defense cybersecurity policies. Cybersecurity innovation in engineering is needed to maintain the edge of having the finest fighting force equipped with the leading-edge tools and technologies to help combat the threat along with the best-trained military and civilian workforce ready to perform any mission when called upon.

This study explores if the use of system safety engineering processes can be used for system security engineering in the acquisition process. The literature review discoveries show industry in the U.S. and Europe are active in adopting safety processes for use in cybersecurity challenges facing them. The study reveals changes to the SSE process to put the discipline on an equal footing regarding cost, schedule, and technical performance are not happening possibly due to the lack of understanding of the current threat and the reliance upon a checklist mentality. The study discloses important cybersecurity requirements are not being flowed down from resource sponsors and current defense acquisition processes are not keeping pace with the speed with cyberwarfare. The study recommends conducting a pilot study implementing safety engineering processes for cybersecurity vs. traditional SE processes to help the government’s overall efforts to develop, build, and operate weapons systems in a cyber contested environment.