Today's Article
The Obama
Administration is
quietly creating a
Defense Department
command which will
'develop new
offensive
cyber-weapons.'
Administration is
quietly creating a
Defense Department
command which will
'develop new
offensive
cyber-weapons.'
The American Spark
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Pentagon Creating 'New Offensive Cyber-Weapons'
By Cliff Montgomery - May 26th, 2009
The Obama Administration is quietly creating a Defense Department command which will "develop new
offensive cyber-weapons," according to a little-noticed article in The Washington Post last month.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the new Pentagon command. The Post apparently confirmed the
story on April 22nd.
Following common Pentagon procedure, the command is being sold to the American public as a defense for
the nation, or as something that will "coordinate the security of military computer networks." Yet the Post
appeared to go out of its way in stressing that the command will employ offensive as well as defensive cyber
weapons.
A planned reorganization of the Defense Department and U.S. intelligence agencies now is underway. "A
person familiar with the White House plans" told the Post that a final decision on the Pentagon cyber-weapons
command is "imminent".
But careful observers have noted that such a cyber-weapons authority may have always been a consideration
of the Obama Administration.
As early as February 9th, the White House issued a press release which announced an "Immediate Cyber
Security Review" to be conducted by the combined forces of its Homeland Security and National Security
Councils.
"President Obama has directed the National Security and Homeland Security Advisors to conduct an
immediate review of the plan, programs, and activities underway throughout the government dedicated to
cyber security," stated the February release.
"This 60-day inter-agency review will develop a strategic framework to ensure that U.S. Government cyber-
security initiatives are appropriately integrated, resourced and coordinated with Congress and the private
sector," added the release.
If approved, the new weapons authority certainly will have an influence on U.S. Strategic Command, which
currently is charged with the mission of ensuring American "freedom of action" in both space and cyber-space.
The National Security Agency, or NSA (which is not to be confused with the above-mentioned White House
National Security Council) also will be affected, as it now shares Pentagon cyber-security duties with the
Defense Information Systems Agency.
This planned weapons command will not interfere with the cyber authority of the Homeland Security
Department (DHS), however.
The DHS (which, of course, is not to be confused with the White House Homeland Security Council,
mentioned above) is charged with securing all U.S. government non-military computers.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - May 26th, 2009
The Obama Administration is quietly creating a Defense Department command which will "develop new
offensive cyber-weapons," according to a little-noticed article in The Washington Post last month.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the new Pentagon command. The Post apparently confirmed the
story on April 22nd.
Following common Pentagon procedure, the command is being sold to the American public as a defense for
the nation, or as something that will "coordinate the security of military computer networks." Yet the Post
appeared to go out of its way in stressing that the command will employ offensive as well as defensive cyber
weapons.
A planned reorganization of the Defense Department and U.S. intelligence agencies now is underway. "A
person familiar with the White House plans" told the Post that a final decision on the Pentagon cyber-weapons
command is "imminent".
But careful observers have noted that such a cyber-weapons authority may have always been a consideration
of the Obama Administration.
As early as February 9th, the White House issued a press release which announced an "Immediate Cyber
Security Review" to be conducted by the combined forces of its Homeland Security and National Security
Councils.
"President Obama has directed the National Security and Homeland Security Advisors to conduct an
immediate review of the plan, programs, and activities underway throughout the government dedicated to
cyber security," stated the February release.
"This 60-day inter-agency review will develop a strategic framework to ensure that U.S. Government cyber-
security initiatives are appropriately integrated, resourced and coordinated with Congress and the private
sector," added the release.
If approved, the new weapons authority certainly will have an influence on U.S. Strategic Command, which
currently is charged with the mission of ensuring American "freedom of action" in both space and cyber-space.
The National Security Agency, or NSA (which is not to be confused with the above-mentioned White House
National Security Council) also will be affected, as it now shares Pentagon cyber-security duties with the
Defense Information Systems Agency.
This planned weapons command will not interfere with the cyber authority of the Homeland Security
Department (DHS), however.
The DHS (which, of course, is not to be confused with the White House Homeland Security Council,
mentioned above) is charged with securing all U.S. government non-military computers.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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