Dr. Erica Lonergan discusses the need for a U.S. Cyber Force to tackle growing cyber challenges. They explore issues in cyber mission, benefits of a distinct cyber force, challenges in personnel training, and debates on command structure. The podcast advocates for establishing a specialized cyber force to enhance operational effectiveness in the cyber domain.
Establishing a dedicated U.S. Cyber Force is crucial to centralize force generation responsibilities for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Distinctive operations in cyberspace involve offensive, defensive, and DOD Information Network (DODIN) operations, each serving specific cybersecurity purposes.
Challenges in cyberspace readiness include inconsistent priorities, training approaches, and service cultures, necessitating cohesive strategies for improvement.
The proposed cyber force would focus on recruitment, training, role definition, skill specialization, and personnel requirements tailored to cyberspace operations.
Aligning a U.S. cyber force with international models while adapting to the U.S. military's unique structure is essential for strategic planning.
Congressional direction for an in-depth study is crucial to inform the establishment of a specialized cyber force, optimizing operational effectiveness and readiness.
Deep dives
Discussion on the Need for an Independent Uniformed Cyber Service
The establishment of a separate service for cyberspace operations is advocated due to the challenges posed by the current distribution of responsibilities for force generation and force employment among existing military services. While Cyber Command focuses on force employment, the responsibility for force generation is dispersed across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and now the Space Force. This decentralized approach results in varied standards and priorities across services, leading to inefficiencies in preparing forces for cyberspace operations.
Cyberspace Operations Overview
Distinctive operations in cyberspace are categorized into offensive, defensive, and DOD Information Network (DODIN) operations. Offensive operations involve accessing adversary targets, defensive operations focus on protecting own networks, and DODIN operations maintain the Department of Defense's information systems. The responsibilities of Cyber Command primarily encompass offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, though the broader DOD information network defense involves various agencies.
Evolution of US Cyber Command
Established in 2010 and initially under US Strategic Command, Cyber Command's elevation to a unified combatant command occurred in 2018. Accompanied by strategic, legal, and policy changes, Cyber Command transitioned to full operational capability and obtained enhanced operational purview. This evolution aligned with efforts to address challenges and enhance readiness for cyberspace operations.
Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Cyberspace Readiness
Critical challenges identified include inconsistent priorities, training approaches, and service cultures, impacting readiness for cyberspace missions. Personnel interviews revealed a lack of readiness stemming from varied service standards and focuses. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a cohesive, cyber-specific service culture, improved personnel recruitment, training, and retention strategies, and streamlined organizational structures for enhanced operational effectiveness and readiness.
Arguments and Recommendations for Establishing a Cyber Force
Proposals to establish a dedicated cyber force aim to centralize force generation responsibilities, currently dispersed across multiple services, into a single, focused entity. Such a force would oversee recruitment, training, role definition, skill specialization, and personnel requirements specific to cyberspace operations. Advocates emphasize the need for a proactive approach to tackle readiness challenges before facing conflicts with advanced adversaries, highlighting the importance of an independent study to explore the logistical, organizational, and strategic implications of creating a cyber service.
Comparative Perspectives on Military Cyber Organization
While considering models from both adversarial and allied nations like China's strategic support forces and Israel's Unit 8200, the focus remains on aligning a cyber force with the US military's organizational frameworks. Insights from international approaches serve as supplementary perspectives, guiding discussions on force design, personnel recruitment, and service culture establishment within the unique structure of the US military.
Practical Implementation Considerations for Establishing a Cyber Force
The transition to a dedicated cyber force requires strategic decisions on leadership appointments, service culture development, personnel recruitment criteria, training programs, and relationships with industry partners. Drawing from the Space Force's establishment, early decisions around force size, roles, responsibilities, and operational autonomy lay the foundation for a functional and efficient cyber service. Additionally, a phased approach to recruitment, training, facility setup, and policy alignment is key to shaping a cohesive and capable cyber force within the existing military structure.
The Need for Congressional Action and Comprehensive Study
Emphasizing the importance of congressional direction for an in-depth study to inform the establishment of a cyber force, the call is made to explore organizational, logistical, and cultural implications, soliciting expert insights and recommendations. Engaging in proactive, comprehensive assessment and planning can pave the way for addressing readiness challenges and optimizing the effectiveness of cyber operations within the US military.
Final Thoughts and Call for Action
The discussion underscores a commitment to enhancing military readiness for cyberspace operations through structural improvements and dedicated focus on cyber-specific personnel recruitment, training, and culture development. The report advocates congressional action to commission a thorough study for informed decision-making on establishing a specialized cyber force, signaling a proactive approach to addressing critical challenges and ensuring effective operational strategies.
Wrap-up and Acknowledgments
The podcast episode concludes with acknowledgments of collaborative efforts between the Lawfare podcast and the Brookings Institution, highlighting the benefits of support for ad-free versions of the podcast. Encouraging audience engagement through ratings and reviews, the episode showcases varied offerings from Lawfare's podcast series and written content, extending gratitude to contributors and production team members for their valuable contributions to informative discourse.
End of the Podcast Episode Transcript
The episode ends with the usual podcast content notice, promoting supporters' access to ad-free versions of the podcast and exclusive events. It acknowledges the production team's efforts and credits the music used in the episode. Reminders to explore other Lawfare podcasts and written content, along with appreciation for listener support, mark the conclusion of the episode's transcript.
Lawfare’s Fellow in Technology Policy and Law, Eugenia Lostri, talks to Dr. Erica Lonergan, Assistant Professor in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Dr. Lonergan recently authored a report making the case for establishing a U.S. Cyber Force as a way to address the military’s difficulty to recruit, train, and equip sufficient personnel to meet growing cyber challenges. They talked about the types of problems the cyber mission faces, different ways in which they can be addressed, and why establishing a distinct cyber force might be the best path forward.
