President Trump elevated U.S. Cyber Command on Friday to a full combatant command, a move that boosts cyberspace operations and makes it easier to coordinate with allies to deter cybersecurity threats.
“The elevation of United States Cyber Command demonstrates our increased resolve against cyberspace threats and will help reassure our allies and partners and deter our adversaries,” Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.
Cyber Command had been under U.S. Strategic Command. By elevating it to a full combatant command, cyber operations are now on par with other commands such as U.S. Central Command, which oversees warfighting operations in the Middle East, and U.S. Northern Command, which is focused on protecting the U.S. homeland. The move has been discussed for years.
Adm. Mike Rogers is dual-hatted as commander of Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, both of which are based in Fort George G. Meade, Md. The White House announcement said a review will determine if Cyber Command and NSA should be separated, something top Pentagon officials have long endorsed. That review will be led by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
I have directed that U.S. Cyber Command be elevated to the status of a Unified Combatant Command focused on….cont: https://t.co/3iScfuMw9s
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 18, 2017
Pentagon leaders are expected to provide further information on the decision Friday afternoon.
Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., said he was pleased to see that any changes to the “dual-hat” arrangement would be subject to scrutiny.
“While we welcome this elevation, there is much more to be done to prepare our nation and our military to meet our cybersecurity challenges,” McCain said in a statement.
He encouraged the Trump adminstration to work closely with Congress to ensure the separation of Cyber Command and the NSA means “each agency will emerge more effective and more capable as a result.”
