Obama Prepares to Boost US Military’s Cyber Role

US Cyber Command would be separated from the National Security Agency.

The Obama administration is preparing to elevate the stature of the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, signalling more emphasis on developing cyber weapons to deter attacks, punish intruders into US networks and tackle adversaries such as Islamic State, current and former officials told Reuters.

Under the plan being considered at the White House, the officials said, US Cyber Command would become what the military calls a “unified command” equal to combat branches of the military such as the Central and Pacific Commands.

Cyber Command would be separated from the National Security Agency, a spy agency responsible for electronic eavesdropping, the officials said. That would give Cyber Command leaders a larger voice in arguing for the use of both offensive and defensive cyber tools in future conflicts.

Both organisations are based at Fort Meade, Maryland, about 30 miles north of Washington, and led by the same officer, Navy Adm Michael S Rogers.

A former senior intelligence official with knowledge of the plan said it reflects the growing role that cyber operations play in modern warfare, and the different missions of the Cyber Command and the NSA. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

A Cyber Command spokesman declined comment on the plan, and the NSA did not respond to requests for comment.

Established in 2010, Cyber Command is now subordinate to the US Strategic Command, which oversees military space operations, nuclear weapons and missile defence.

US officials cautioned that details of the plan, including some aspects of Cyber Command’s new status, are still being debated.

It was unclear when the matter will be presented to President Barack Obama for final approval, but the former senior intelligence official said it was unlikely anyone would stand in the way.

A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration was “constantly reviewing if we have the appropriate organisational structures in place to counter evolving threats, in cyber space or elsewhere.”

“While we have no changes to this structure to announce, the relationship between NSA and Cyber Command is critical to safeguarding our nation’s security,” the official said.