ARFORCYBER Headquarters Stands Up in National Capital Region

ARFORCYBER Headquarters Stands Up in National Capital Region

What is it'

Army Forces Cyber (ARFORCYBER) is the Army Service Component for Cyberspace Operations. On Feb. 1, 2010, the chief of staff of the Army directed establishment of this new three-star command with operations centered at Fort Belvoir, VA.

ARFORCYBER supports the sub-unified command designated as U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). The area of operations for ARFORCYBER is global; the primary operational area is all Army networks.

What has the Army done'

The Army is establishing a new ARFORCYBER Headquarters within the national capital region. ARFORCYBER will capitalize on existing Army cyber resources and improve operational readiness by bringing Army cyber resources under a single command. The Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command (Army) (NETCOM/9thSC(A)) and portions of the 1st Information Operations Command (Land) (1st IO CMD (L)) will be subordinate units to ARFORCYBER. Additionally, the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) will be under the operational control of ARFORCYBER for cyber-related actions. The Army is on track to meet full operational capability for ARFORCYBER in October 2010, and Maj. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez has been announced as the commanding general.

The total command strength will exceed 21,000 Soldiers and civilians with no new growth or impact to Army end strength. ARFORCYBER will be funded from within existing fiscal resources. In October 2009, the Army achieved initial operating capability by employing the Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT), with support from NETCOM/9thSC(A), 1st IO CMD (L) and INSCOM, as its interim ARFORCYBER headquarters.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

The Army will have a fully functioning Army Service Component for Cyberspace to plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize, direct, and conduct Army Cyberspace operations. ARFORCYBER will be the Army's single point of contact for external entities for reporting, assessments, recommendations, synchronization, and integration for cyberspace incidents, events, and operations. ARFORCYBER will focus the Army's execution of cyber research and development, product and combat development, as well as working with TRADOC and others to improve all aspects of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) for cyberspace.

Why is this important to the Army'

ARFORCYBER provides the Army an organization capable of cyberspace operations to support our nation and warfighters in the 21st century. The new command capitalizes on existing Army cyber resources, but provides unity of effort and command by realigning current Army cyber resources under a single command. This ensures policy, force structure, capabilities development, resources and personnel within the Army will be able to operate safely, securely and effectively in cyberspace at the tactical, strategic and national levels.

Resource:

<a href="http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx'releaseid=13549" target="_blank">Army Forces Cyber Command Headquarters Standup Plan Announced</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/06/02/40195-cyber-command-to-unite-network-defense-efforts/" target="_blank">Cyber command to unite network defense efforts</a>