Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Pentagon to Create 'Digital Warfare Force'

Share

(Newser) – The US military is creating a digital warfare force as part of a complete reorganization of its cyber operations, says NSA director and top cyber warfare commander Keith Alexander. In blunt testimony prepared for the House Armed Services subcommittee today, Alexander says the Pentagon’s current cyber training is woefully inadequate. He says a new cyber command will be created at a Maryland Army facility.

In separate testimony, the Air Force’s chief of war-fighting integration says the Pentagon hasn't kept up with digital threats because it was too heavily reliant on industry efforts. The Pentagon has spent more than $100 million responding to and repairing the damage from cyber attacks over the past 6 months, and a recent National Research Council report concluded that its cyber warfare policies were ill-informed.

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, reviews his notes, while testifying on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 1, 2007, before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, reviews his notes, while testifying on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 1, 2007, before the Senate Intelligence Committee.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Crew member Breana Haecker operates one of computers on board a US Boeing B-707 OC-135B Observation Aircraft at the military airbase in Pardubice, Czech Republic in this file photo.
Crew member Breana Haecker operates one of computers on board a US Boeing B-707 OC-135B Observation Aircraft at the military airbase in Pardubice, Czech Republic in this file photo.   (AP Photo/CTK, Alexandra Mlejnkova)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The mission of the military's new cyber command at Fort Meade, Md., will be to 'defend vital networks and project power in cyberspace.' - Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
Reader74806141
May 5, 09 11:02 AM CDT
Here's my 2 cents. Keeping sensitive information on a Windows machine connected to the Internet is like trying to smuggle arms into a country by putting them on a double decker british bus with loud music blaring from speakers and big targets painted on the sides! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
May 6, 09 2:27 AM CDT
now thats funny....shame it's probably true
Vote up! Vote down!
0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 5, 09 11:11 AM CDT
Nothing like bureaucratic ran efforts to place you at the very cutting edge of technology. However, the Pentagon receives more funds and priority than the DMV or Social Security, so hopefully it will perform slightly better. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

72 Stories

 Feds Point Fingers 
 in Hasan Missteps 

Fort Hood blame game begins

Nov 11, 09 5:43 AM CST
(Newser) - The FBI and the Pentagon are fighting off accusations that someone dropped the ball on Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. Department of Defense officials say that the FBI never notified them that Hasan had been in contact with extremist imam Anwar al-Aulaqi, while the FBI's defenders say that his... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Pentagon • FBI • US military • counterterrorism • Department of Defense • imam • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan • Anwar al-Aulaqi

Brits Hold Up Hacker's  Extradition

Asperger's sufferer accused of cracking Pentagon systems

Oct 27, 09 2:20 AM CDT
(Newser) - American authorities keen to get their hands on a man accused of the biggest military hack in history are going to have to wait. British authorities have "stopped the clock" on the extradition of Gary McKinnon while lawyers examine new medical evidence, say officials. McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • Pentagon • autism • hacker • US military • hacking • Asperger's Syndrome

 Military Frustrated 
 by 'Slow' Obama 

Commanders irked by ongoing review of Afghanistan strategy

Oct 20, 09 3:54 AM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama's ongoing review of Afghan strategy is frustrating military officers used to a different commander-in-chief's style, say past and present top brass. Some fear that the long deliberations over Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for more troops signal weakness and indecision to the enemy, while others fear the president is... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Pentagon • US military • Afghanistan war • President Obama • Stanley McChrystal

72 Stories


Debate rages over White House role in cybersecurity
ComputerWorld


Politics  •  Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Pentagon • cyberwarfare • cyberterrorism • cyberattack • US military • Keith Alexander

from our news partners