Fergie's Tech Blog

Defense Secretary Gates Approves U.S. Cyber Command

Jaikumar Vijayan writes on ComputerWorld:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates today approved the creation of a unified U.S. Cyber Command to oversee the protection of military networks against cyber threats.

In a memorandum issued today to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gates said he intends to recommend to the President that the new command be led by the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) Lt. General Keith Alexander.

Gates directed the Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, General Kevin Chilton, to develop implementation plans for USCYBERCOM, as the new unified command will be called.

The plans are due by Sept. 1 and need to include the new command's mission, roles and responsibilities, reporting structures, and accountability measures, Gates said.

The new command will most likely headquartered in Fort Meade, MD. and will reach initial operating capabilities by October, and full operating capability by October 2010, Gates said in his memo.

The "subordinate unified" cyber command will operate under U.S. Strategic Command for military cyberspace operations.

posted by Fergie @ 6/24/2009 05:06:00 PM