The U.S. Cyber Command is now on an equal plane with other combat branches of the U.S. military, and plans are underway to potentially separate it from the National Security Agency (NSA). The command works on Pentagon activities that include cyberspace, with a view of the internet as a domain for warfighting, similar to land, sea, air, and space.
President Donald Trump elevated the military force, also known as CYBERCOM, to the status of a unified combatant command, in a memorandum on Aug. 18. This places the combat command on the same level as other commands including Central Command, Southern Command, and Africa Command.
Trump said the new designation will “strengthen our cyberspace operations and create more opportunities to improve our nation’s defense.” He also said it “demonstrates our increased resolve” against threats in cyberspace, deterring adversaries and reassuring U.S. allies and partners.
The move will create a single commander to run the operations of CYBERCOM, which Trump said would help “streamline” the command and control of time-sensitive cyberspace operations.
“Elevation will also ensure that critical cyberspace operations are adequately funded,” he stated.
