Cyber Command increases readiness to hold at-risk targets

In testimony provided to a Senate panel on Tuesday, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers stated that U.S. Cyber Command (Cybercom) is continually increasing its cyber mission forces’ readiness to hold targets that are at risk in the face of intensified international conflicts and cyberspace threats.

Rogers, who serves as the Commander of Cybercom and Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), said that not a day had gone by without at least one significant cybersecurity event occurring somewhere in the world during his tenure.

“Conflict in the cyber domain is not simply a continuation of kinetic operations by digital means,” Rogers said. “It’s unfolding according to its own logic, which we are continuing to better understand, and we are using this understanding to enhance the department and the nation’s situational awareness and management of risk.”

Rogers detailed Cybercom’s three lines of operation, which include defending the department’s information environment, supporting joint force commander objectives across the globe, and deterring and defeating strategic threats to U.S. interests or critical infrastructure. The organization also conducts full-spectrum military cyberspace operations in all domains while ensuring the U.S. and its allies have freedom of action in cyberspace.

To address any vulnerabilities that may arise in the future, Rogers said that he could be engaging with Senate committee members to enhance the command’s responsibilities and authorities by increasing cyber manpower, cyber workforce professionalization, building capacity, and developing and streamlining organizational acquisition processes.

Rogers has served as director of the NSA and Cybercom Commander since April 2014. He previously served as commander of the Tenth Fleet and commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.