No service has taken a lead role on cyber attacks in the Defense Department. Army leadership sees an opening where it could take more of a leadership position on cyber defense issues, an official said at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual conference.
The service has scheduled a cyber presentation for Tuesday afternoon titled "Cyber Domain and LandWarNet: Powering the Army." The Army official said to keep a close eye on that forum scheduled for 2:30 p.m. for an announcement to be made.
Pentagon officials have struggled to figure out what role they play in cyber security outside of protecting their own networks. Cyber is a growing threat within national security. Agencies like the NSA have more capabilities than a military service branch to combat cyber attacks, however, military leaders across all four services want to find a leadership role that makes sense for each branch.
Army Lt. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez, the head of U.S. Army Cyberspace Command, will lead the panel. He will be joined by Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, head of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Lt. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence, the Army's chief information officer, Lt. Gen. Mary A. Legere, the Army's deputy chief of staff G-2, and Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell, Jr., commanding general of III Corps and Fort Hood.
