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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Pentagon Plans New Command for Online War

Military unit will complement Obama's new civilian office

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(Newser) – The Pentagon is pushing ahead with a new military command devoted to cyberspace as the armed forces ramp up abilities to not only defend against computer attacks but launch them as well, the New York Times reports. The new command will work in concert with a civilian organization, which President Obama will unveil today, devoted to revamping the security of America's computer networks for stock exchanges, air traffic control, and other cyber infrastructure. The White House office will be run by an as-yet unnamed "cyberczar."

Thousands of online attacks are mounted against the US every day—largely by hackers, but sometimes by foreign governments. The Pentagon has not yet presented Obama with a formal version of its cyberwarfare plan, but the president is expected to sign a classified order creating the command in the coming weeks. The new command goes far beyond the actions of the Bush administration, which authorized a few online attacks but never planned for an age of digital warfare.

President Obama makes remarks to the media after holding his first Cabinet meeting, Monday, April 20, 2009.
President Obama makes remarks to the media after holding his first Cabinet meeting, Monday, April 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, right, meets reporters at the Pentagon, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, right, meets reporters at the Pentagon, Monday, May 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Attorney General Eric Holder listen as President Obama delivers an address on national security.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Attorney General Eric Holder listen as President Obama delivers an address on national security.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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2 comments
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Observer
May 29, 09 9:15 AM CDT
What BS. The DOD has been attacking networks and systems since the dawn of the digital age. Just ask retired Raytheon, BBN, TRW, Honeywell, AT&T and IBM coders. DARPA has employed a lot of devious geniuses since the 50's. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 29, 09 12:29 PM CDT
I wonder if the more focused web efforts will include as much collateral damage as 'precision' missile strikes have? There's nothing like good ole bureaucratic incompetency to make a mess of things. Reply
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