Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on Sept. 30, 2014.
The Army Signal Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, Georgia, is being augmented by the Army Cyber Center of Excellence and designation as the center for all Army cyber activities. C4ISR & Networks recently spoke with COL Jennifer Buckner, commandant of the Cyber School at the Army Cyber Center of Excellence, for her view of the transition.
C4ISRNET: Why and when was the Cyber Center of Excellence created?
Buckner: On Dec. 19, 2013, the secretary of the Army announced the establishment of the Cyber Center of Excellence [CoE] to provide a comprehensive synchronization of cyberspace, electronic warfare (EW), and signal capabilities to support operations. This multidimensional approach is an innovative first step toward providing focused and integrated solutions for cyberspace operations. The Cyber CoE also identifies Fort Gordon as the Army’s focal point for cyberspace operations and provides synergy and enhanced support to the joint force and Army commands.
C4ISRNET: What was the timeline for the transition from the Signal Center of Excellence to Army Cyber?
Buckner: The Signal CoE transitioned to the Cyber CoE on March 28. The CoE will reach full operational capability by fiscal 2016. Once at FOC, the CoE becomes the focal point for all cyberspace-, signal- and EW-related institutional efforts.
C4ISRNET: What is Army Cyber’s role?
Buckner: Army Cyber Command and Second Army serve as the Army Force Component Headquarters to USCYBERCOM and the headquarters responsible for service cyberspace missions, respectively. Army Cyber Command and Second Army are globally postured, regionally aligned and responsive to both the combatant and Army commanders.
The Army is also aggressively manning, training and equipping cyber-mission teams in support of USCYBERCOM. As a part of that effort, the Cyber CoE provides a comprehensive synchronization of cyberspace, electronic warfare and signal capabilities to support operations as an innovative first step toward providing focused and integrated solutions for cyberspace operations. The Cyber School, within the Cyber CoE, will integrate instruction to educate soldiers and civilians on cyberspace and EW operations.
C4ISRNET: What are Army Cyber’s future goals?
Buckner: The Army’s cyber goals include ensuring we remain ready for the cyberspace threats that face the nation; preparing our leaders and soldiers to understand the cyberspace domain and integrate cyberspace operations within the operational process; ensuring that cyberspace operations doctrine remains nested with evolving national policy and law and joint and service doctrinal concepts; and expanding cyber training capacity, recruiting and career management and leader development.
C4ISRNET: What are the most important threats currently facing Army Cyber?
Buckner: Cyberspace operations are a reality of 21st-century warfare, and cyberspace technologies and threats are evolving and expanding at a rapid pace. Army Cyber must ensure an adversary does not disrupt or deny access to any friendly forces network-enabled capabilities or functions. These capabilities and functions range from social media to critical war-fighting functions.
C4ISRNET: How do you see Army Cyber evolving in the years to come?
Buckner: The Army is currently executing plans to create a first-rate cyber workforce. Over time, this workforce will comprise an elite lineup of the Army’s best and brightest officers, enlisted and Department of the Army civilians. These professionals are trained using the most advanced cyber toolsets. This requires the Army to prioritize investing in the cyber portfolio. The Army’s focus must clearly be the full scope of this domain with an objective of accelerating its maturation across the workforce, processes and
technology.
