2 Cyber Command Elevated to Combatant Status

2

Formerly a part of U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Cyber Command, has been brought into “the fold” of combatant commands operating in the Middle East, Europe, and other theaters of operations.  This move effectively ensures that Cyber Command reports to the Secretary of Defense directly.  This is an important move in order to “reassure our allies and deter our adversaries”, according to President Trump.

Primarily focused with defending military cyber structure, it will now assume a more offensive posture.  This change of posture can possibly mean that Cyber Command will actively seek out potential threats from foreign invaders and eliminate any possibility of them launching an attack.  This can also have ramifications in any type of negotiations with Pyongyang and the ever increasing threat of nuclear war.

Currently, before any type of collaborative effort can be made, the task of how to separate CYBERCOM from the NSA must be addressed.  Admiral Mike Rogers currently is in command of both organizations and can potentially pose a conflict of interest or even a lack of leadership or direction in either organization.  Also, the separation of responsibilities will be key during the “break-up”.  Historically, when government agencies do not have a clear picture of what they are responsible for chaos almost always ensues.  This chaos would severely hamper any efforts of either agency as well as leave us completely unguarded from threats while responsibilities are sorted out.  I am hopeful that lawmakers will get this right before changes are rolled out and that it’s not stuck on the senate floor to become the latest victim of partisan rhetoric.

References
Browne, R., Herb, J. (2017) Trump Elevates Military Command that Handles Cyberthreats.  Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/trump-cyberthreat-command/index.html

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