Enhancing Cyber Operations: Perspectives from the Senate Armed Services Committee

Introduction

Recent developments from the Senate Armed Services Committee highlight a growing recognition of the need for the Department of Defense (DoD) to broaden its approach to cyber operations beyond the traditional capabilities of U.S. Cyber Command (Cybercom). As cyber threats evolve and proliferate, the committee’s recommendations could reshape how cyber capabilities are employed across military branches.

Call for Comprehensive Review

The current draft of the annual defense policy bill mandates that the Secretary of Defense initiate a thorough evaluation of cyber force employment concepts. While the detailed bill text has yet to be published, the impetus behind this review is clear: previous operations have primarily concentrated on strategic levels, but emerging threats necessitate tactical capabilities that extend the reach of U.S. cyber power.

Shifting Focus: Tactical Cyber Operations

In recent years, Congress has observed that U.S. cyber operations have largely remained in the domain of high-level strategies. Officials noted an increasing necessity for operational capabilities that reach beyond traditional Internet Protocol (IP) networks:

• Expeditionary Cyber Operations: Defined as operations needing the deployment of cyber forces within conventional physical domains, this concept was formally integrated into DoD’s cyber doctrine in late 2022.
• Proximal Tactics: Certain military factions are advocating for direct operational methods that utilize radio-frequency (RF) technologies, potentially bypassing the extensive approval processes generally required for cyber operations.

This shift reflects a maturation in the DoD’s cyber doctrine, which has historically centralized cyber capabilities under stringent government oversight, due to concerns about unintended consequences arising from cyberspace actions.

Branch-Specific Innovations

Each military service has begun to cultivate unique offensive cyber capabilities, often aligned with their respective operational objectives:

• Army Developments: The formation of the 11th Cyber Battalion illustrates a commitment to tactical cyber operations, concentrating on RF effects and electronic warfare. This unit is part of a broader move to establish scalable cyber teams that can augment ground units on request.

• Air Force Initiatives: The Air Force’s Cyber Enabled Air Superiority (CEAS) program represents an innovative approach to safeguard critical missions against cyber threats. The re-tasked National Guard unit spearheads initial efforts to integrate cyber assets directly into aviation operations.

• Naval Enhancements: The Navy is creating “non-kinetic effects teams” aboard ships to empower commanders with cyber and electronic warfare capabilities in maritime environments.

• Marine Corps Adaptations: The Marine Corps has incorporated cyber, intelligence, electronic warfare, and information operations into its expeditionary forces, reflecting the integrated approach now necessary for modern warfare.

Collaborative Framework with Cyber Command

Despite individual service advancements, all cyber operations must coordinate through Cybercom, which retains overarching responsibility for offensive cyber capabilities. The command is increasingly recognizing the value of these tactical assets, exploring mechanisms to leverage them to improve access to specialized networks that may be less accessible through conventional means.

Synergizing Forces: The Modern Triad

The integration of space, cyber, and special operations forces exemplifies the contemporary military concept of a “modern triad.” This framework enables the military to generate integrated capabilities that exceed the efficacy of isolated units, allowing special operations forces to establish proximity to high-value targets and potentially enhance cyber operational capabilities.

Personnel and Training Considerations

Recognizing the necessity of a broader talent pool for future cyber operations, the Senate Armed Services Committee is urging a comprehensive review of personnel strategies. This assessment could pave the way for incorporating talent beyond the current Cyber Mission Force, potentially involving conventional forces and special operations troops. Key aspects of this evaluation include:

• Personnel Policy Adjustments: To support the evolving landscape of cyber capabilities, new policies may be required.
• Broader Recruitment Efforts: The initiative may expand the recruitment lens, enabling the integration of diverse military and civilian expertise into cyber operations.

Conclusion

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s directive marks a pivotal step in redefining the U.S. approach to cyber operations. By encouraging a more inclusive framework for personnel and operational concepts, the committee aims to strengthen national security in an increasingly digital battlefield. This evolution reflects an urgent understanding of the transformative potential of cyber capabilities and the imperative for military readiness in the face of emerging threats.