Corps’ acquisition arm pursues accelerated cyber acquisition to respond to needs of force

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Terika King | Gunnery Sgt. Lagarian Smith, cyber network chief with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, guides Cpl. Justin Henderson, a 13th MEU cyber network specialist, through troubleshooting techniques as they set up network communications aboard the USS Boxer during PHIBRON-MEU Intergration (PMINT) exercise Sept. 24, 2015. The exercise marks the first time 13th MEU Marines and Sailors with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group get to work together at sea before their deployment to the Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility in early 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by: Staff Sgt. Terika S. King/Relased)  

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

03.10.2016

Story by Emily Carroll 

Marine Corps Systems Command

QUANTICO, Va. - Marine Corps Systems Command is tackling cyber acquisition head-on with enhanced oversight and governance, and new streamlined processes to better respond to the needs of the force.

The command’s cyber acquisition experts are working with the Marine Corps Cyber Task Force as it creates courses of action to address manpower, organizational, acquisition and other challenges for cyberspace operations. This update to the Corps’ approach to cyber warfare is in response to the Commandant’s vision to modernize offensive and defensive cyber operations in a volatile and complex operating environment.

Established in 2015 by MCSC Commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, the Cyber Acquisition Team is tasked with developing a rapid cyber acquisition process to address urgent and emergency cyber requirements.

“The Marine Corps is placing a strong emphasis on improving management of our cyber operating environment,” said Harry Oldland, director of systems engineering and integration, and CAT team lead. “Our immediate role as the systems command of the Marine Corps is to provide that focused pursuit of accelerants to IT and cyberspace system acquisition to address critical requirements of today and tomorrow.”

The CAT will lead acquisition and fielding efforts for emergency requirements (less than 30 calendar days from statement of need to fielding) and assist program management offices, as needed, with urgent cyber requirements (30-180 calendar days from statement of need to fielding).

“The tailored rapid cyber acquisition process still conforms to all of the key activities associated with the traditional acquisition model,” Oldland said. “The primary key to successfully implement this process, compared to the traditional acquisition process, is accelerating the review and approval times for the required paperwork.”

The end goal is to provide speed to the Corps’ cyber warfighting capability while maintaining the discipline necessary for a unified, standardized and configuration-controlled Marine Corps Enterprise Network. These improvements will provide more responsive and effective support to the operational force.

Among other duties, Marine Corps Systems Command oversees the development and acquisition of all Marine Corps ground weapon and information technology systems.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2016
• Date Posted: 03.10.2016 15:51
• Story ID: 191961
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA, US