Military Command Created to Oversee Cyberspace
Julian E. Barnes, LA Times: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday ordered the creation of a military command to oversee cyberspace in order to better defend military computer networks as well as pool capabilities for attacking the networks of other countries.
For now, the U.S. Cyber Command will remain a part of the military’s Strategic Command, which also oversees the nation’s nuclear arsenal. But experts said the move is likely to be a precursor to setting up an independent command.
In a memo signed Tuesday, Gates said the command would help the Defense Department secure “freedom of action in cyberspace.” The U.S.’ “increasing dependency on cyberspace, alongside a growing array of cyber threats and vulnerabilities, adds a new element of risk to our national security,” Gates wrote.
Pentagon officials emphasized the Department of Homeland Security would retain the lead role in defending government computers, while the new command would focus on the Defense Department’s networks. The new command, to be based at Ft. Meade, Md., will be run by the head of the National Security Agency, Army Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander. In a memo, Gates recommended Alexander be promoted as part of the creation of the command.
Although Pentagon officials emphasized the command’s defensive orientation, experts said the reorganization would improve coordination of both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.
