Active Army cyber teams fully operational a year-plus ahead of schedule

UNITED STATES

11.02.2017

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Cyber Command

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) announced today that all of the Army’s Cyber Mission Force teams achieved full operational capability (FOC) at the end of September, 2017, more than a year ahead of schedule.

All 41 of the Army’s active duty Cyber Mission Force teams were validated FOC by U.S. Cyber Command on Sept. 28. Since the first of these teams was rated initially capable in 2014, they have been employed by the Dept. of Defense as part of coordinated military strategy around the world, performing both defensive cyberspace and combat support missions. With the Army reaching the FOC milestone, this employment continues uninterrupted.

“The Army's achievement of this critical milestone is a testament to both the tireless work of the Soldiers and Civilians of Army Cyber Command, Cyber Center of Excellence, the Army Headquarters Cyber Directorate, as well as unwavering support from the highest levels of the Army and Dept. of Defense,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, Commanding General of Army Cyber Command.

“I’m grateful for the teamwork and support from our institutional leaders, and proud of our Army’s landmark accomplishment. The Army’s cyber teams are built and fully operational, but our work is just beginning, as we ensure they stay trained and ready to step into the joint fight when needed,” Nakasone added.

The achievement required completion of thousands of courses in structured, progressive cyberspace training. This demanding training included cyberspace operations planning, network operations and architecture, technically-detailed software analysis and development skills, as well as foundational concepts of military teamwork. Validation of this cyber training baseline will continue to sustain Cyber Mission Force readiness.

The Army’s build of 41 fully operational teams was focused on the active component, divided between cyber protection teams and offensive mission teams. Beyond this effort, the service is also building another 21 cyber protection teams within the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. As these reserve component teams come online, they will be critical to the Army’s cyber defense posture.

The focus of U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber Mission Force teams aligns with the DoD Cyber Strategy’s three primary missions: Defend DoD networks and ensure their data is held secure; support joint military commander objectives; and, when directed, defend U.S. critical infrastructure.

U.S. Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries. The command’s core efforts are to: operate and aggressively defend the Army’s portion of the Department of Defense Information Network, deliver cyberspace effects – both defensive and offensive – against global adversaries, and rapidly develop and deploy cyberspace capabilities to equip our Force for the future fight.

• Date Taken: 11.02.2017
• Date Posted: 11.02.2017 14:21
• Story ID: 253884
• Location: US