Make Way for USCYBERCOM
He’s been pounding the table for two years about cyber issues. Now, a senior official explains some of the thinking behind the imminent stand-up of United States Cyber Command.
The prototype sub-unified command already has all the tactical execution they need. Help comes from units tasked to STRATCOM’s Joint Force Component Command for Network Warfare, run by Lieutenant General Alexander, who is dual-hatted as head of the National Security Agency. DISA personnel pitch in to run global network operations.
What’s needed are more staff and command leadership. Not everyone has to be a high-end cyber techie. Some of the best advances have come from military personnel expert at the art of war, who bring their vision and experience to cyberspace challenges.
Demystifying cyber is also part of the plan. Cyber abides by the laws of war just like any other domain.
Attacks today look mainly like espionage, but the tactics, techniques and procedures for breaking into computer systems can be used to damage them, too. “We think it would go beyond espionage in times of war,” said the official.
What’s the U.S. position? Simple. “You go through my network to do an operation, that’s an attack,” said this official.
Future cyber war will probably start with cyber efforts designed to dissuade, deter or knock the U.S. off its game as a regional conflict begins. In that case, nothing’s off the table.
“Don’t make this domain so special you forget the blocking and tackling associated with military operations,” cautioned this senior official.
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