cyber force Archives

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Taylor Kirby, operations superintendent, and U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Randolph Halim, cyber warfare operator, both with the 262nd Cyber Operations Squadron, set up a local cyber range at Cyber Protection Team Conference 2026 at the Pierce County Readiness Center on Camp Murray, Wash., Feb. 25, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Jeffords)

Pentagon announces ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’

If prospective beneficiaries are looking for answers on how to qualify for C-MIP and how much they’d get paid under the new program, however, the announcement provides…

Jun 10, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A cyber operations division chief, client systems technician, and network infrastructure section chief assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Communications Squadron practice assembling a communications fly-away kit (CFK) within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 11, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A Cyber Force without enlisted? New report poses model for standalone military cyber organization

The proposed Cyber Force, the authors argued, would be staffed by commissioned officers, warrant officers, civilians and contractors only — no enlisted service members.

Jun 5, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A sign for the National Security Agency (NSA), US Cyber Command and Central Security Service, is seen near the visitor’s entrance to the headquarters of the National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade, Maryland, February 14, 2018. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

The Pentagon’s cyber reform effort stumbles out the gate

After trusting the military to fix its own problems with unsatisfactory results, it is time for President Trump and the Congress to seize the reins and establish…

May 18, 2026 By Joshua Stiefel

(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Barry Loo)

‘The fight is on’ as top cyber officials try to revamp the military’s digital workforce

On the first day of the Cyber Workforce Summit this week, multiple officials charged with various elements of the U.S. military’s digital domain focused on how to…

Mar 24, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, nominee to be director of the National Security Agency, takes his seat before the start of his confirmation hearing in the Senate Select Intelligence Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Thursday, January 29, 2026. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Cyber Command, engaged in war with Iran, gets new commander

Rudd is entering the job as Cybercom supports U.S. military action against Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

Mar 10, 2026 By Jon Harper

Inside U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Maryland. (Josef Cole / DOD / U.S. Cyber Command)

Senior DOD officials back Cybercom 2.0, as Cyber Force debate continues to churn

“I think this is a really important debate for us all to be having about the future of the cyber warfighting domain," Katie Sutton told lawmakers.

Jan 30, 2026 By Jon Harper

Pentagon touts revised cyber force generation model, but some experts say it’s insufficient

Some observers say the U.S. military needs an independent service focused on cyber.

Nov 17, 2025 By Jon Harper

U.S. Cyber Command operators participate in Cyber Guard 25-2 exercise on June 3, 2025, at Fort George G. Meade, MD. The exercise, in coordination with the Joint Staff, simulates scenarios that test response protocols and defensive and offensive techniques across geographic areas of responsibility. (Photo credit: U.S. Cyber Command)

New commission to examine how to create an independent Cyber Force

The new commission was established by CSIS in partnership with the Cyber Solarium Commission 2.0 project at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Aug 4, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in cyber operations room at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo illustration source: DVIDS)

The Pentagon knows its cyber force model is broken. Here’s how to fix it

More than two decades after declaring cyberspace a warfighting domain, the U.S. military relies on an inefficient and ineffective solution to generate the capabilities needed to defend…

Jun 20, 2025 By Erica Lonergan Jiwon Ma

Members of the 106th Rescue Wing Communication Flight stand in formation at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York National Guard, during their unit’s redesignation ceremony to become the 106th Communications Squadron, February 4, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Donaldson)

Despite softened bill language, observers still optimistic about independent cyber force assessment

While language directing an independent assessment for a potential cyber force was weakened, observers are still feeling positive about the provision in the NDAA.

Dec 13, 2024 By Mark Pomerleau