via BizJournals

Protecting military networks in fiscal 2012 will cost $3.2 billion, nearly $1 billion more than the government said last month, according to a new report in Nextgov.com.

The report said the increase that reflects the growing number of programs being re-categorized as cyber security-related.

On Wednesday, Pentagon officials told Nextgov the total request included information assurance activities, program elements across the Defense sector, and non-information assurance initiatives that are critical to the department’s cyber stance.

It is unclear how much of those funds will flow through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, arguably the most organizationally diverse and complex base in the U.S. Air Force. Wright-Patt is home to a major command, Air Force Materiel Command, as well as the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the U.S. Department of Defense’s primary source for air and space intelligence.

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