The Obama administration is finalizing the creation within the Pentagon of a new unit called Cyber Command, dedicated to ensuring the security of computer networks of the United States military that have been, of late, threatened by the intrusion of hackers linked especially to countries such as China and Russia.
Most likely to be at the helm of the new Cyber Command deck is Keith Alexander, a three-star general in charge of the National Security Agency. He will receive an additional star when he takes over his new assignment. To be based on the outskirts of Washington, the new unit will be directly under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon’s Strategic Command in all matters related to cyber space.
The White House has also ordered a review of cyber-security in the civil sphere. During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama pledged to devote more attention to these issues. The threat to national security posed by cyber attacks is now compared with the threat of unconventional weapons.
In its most recent budget request submitted to Congress, the Defense Department asked for additional funds to expand the training of military specialists in the cyber front. This is in line with the plans to triple the sector’s human resources by 2011.
Via Yahoo! News/The Wall Street Journal
