International Cyber Terrorism

domain; employ more active defenses; support the Department of Homeland Security in
protecting critical infrastructure networks; practice collective defense with allies and
international partners; and reduce the advantages attackers have on the Internet."
In 2013, USCYBERCOM held a classified exercise in which reserve officers (with
extensive experience in their civilian cyber-security work) easily defeated active duty
cybermen. In 2015 Eric Rosenbach, the principal cyber adviser to Defense
Secretary Ash Carter, said DoD was looking at alternatives to staffing with just activeduty
military. Beginning that year, USCYBERCOM added 133 teams (staffing out at
6,000 people), with the intent that at least 15% of the personnel would be reserve cyber
operations airmen.
These new teams had achieved "initial operating capability" (IOC) as of 21 October
2016. Officials noted that IOC is not the same as combat readiness, but is the first step
in that direction.
President Barack Obama's Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity is
expected to release its substantial report prior to 20 January 2017. The report will make
recommendations regarding the intertwining roles of the military, government
administration and the private sector in providing cyber security. Incoming President
Trump has indicated that he wants a full review of Cyber Command.
International Effects and Reactions
The creation of U.S. Cyber Command appears to have motivated other countries in this
arena. In December 2009, South Korea announced the creation of a cyber warfare
command. Reportedly, this is in response to North Korea's creation of a cyber warfare
unit. In addition, the British GCHQ has begun preparing a cyber force. Furthermore, a
shift in military interest in cyber warfare has motivated the creation of the first U.S.
Cyber Warfare Intelligence Center. In 2010, China introduced a department dedicated
to defensive cyber war and information security in response to the creation of
USCYBERCOM.
Operations
In June 2019, Russia has conceded that it is "possible" its electrical grid was under
cyberattack by the United States. The New York Times reported that hackers from the
U.S. Cyber Command planted malware potentially capable of disrupting the Russian
electrical grid.
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