The U.S. Cyber Command is now fully operational after months of completing essential tasks to reach its “fully operational capability†status, the Defense Department announced Nov. 3.
Cyber Command completed a number of tasks to reach FOC status, including establishing a Joint Operations Center and transitioning personnel and functions from two existing organizations tasked with securing networks, United Press International reported.
In the end, U.S. Cyber Command had to demonstrate its ability to fulfill its main mission, which is defending the Pentagon’s networks from cyber saboteurs.
Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the National Security Agency and the director of the new Cyber Command, said he is “confident†in the team of professionals who operate in the command.
“Cyberspace is essential to our way of life,†he added, “and U.S. Cyber Command synchronizes our efforts in the defense of (defense) networks. We also work closely with our interagency partners to assist them in accomplishing their critical missions.”
The command had been in “initial operational capability” since May, around the same Alexander was confirmed to lead the agency.
In September, Alexander voiced support for a secure zone made up of government networks and critical industries, such as defense contractors.
The creation of the U.S. Cyber Command was spurred by an attack on military networks via an infected flash drive in August 2008.
