Cyber Command struggles to define its place on a shifting battlefield

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/08/hacker-wars/57438/

By Aliya Sternstein
Nextgov
August 16, 2012

The U.S. Cyber Command, which directs network offensive operations for 
the Pentagon and protects its networks, is becoming more open about the 
military’s capabilities in cyberspace. Recently, the Defense Department 
was forced to show part of its hand when leaks surfaced about 
U.S.-manufactured cyber weapons and cyber espionage missions. Still, 
since 2011, the department has told the world it stands prepared to 
protect U.S. national security interests through cyberspace maneuvers.

With intrusions becoming ever more frequent and public—Defense and the 
Office of the Director of National Intelligence have called Chinese 
hackers a continuing and concerning threat—the military is focusing its 
constrained budgets on cyber. The Pentagon in January announced a 
spending strategy that switches priorities from ground wars in the 
Middle East to the Asia-Pacific maritime region and cyber operations.

But a cyber fighter shortage and the U.S. force’s dedication to civil 
liberties may be dragging down the agenda.

Cyberspace demands a new breed of warrior whose skills are scarce even 
by private sector standards. Troop size aside, cyber weapons could 
backfire on U.S. civilians, because of the amorphous nature of the cyber 
domain. And the very idea of an Internet corps scares the people Cyber 
Command aims to protect: Americans who value free speech and free 
markets.

[...]