DOD to form new cyber command

The Obama administration plans to direct the DOD to establish a cyber command to manage security for military computer networks, reports the Washington Post.

The command would coordinate the security of military computer networks and develop new offensive cyberweapons, sources told the newspaper.

Plans for a reorganization necessary to establish the command are underway and a formal decision is expected soon. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans on April 21.

The new arrangement would affect the U.S Strategic Command and the National Security Agency, which shares cybersecurity responsibility with the Defense Information Systems Agency.

It remains to be determined whether the command’s leader would be a military commander with a four-star rank. The NSA is led by Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, who has three stars.

The development follows a 60-day White House review of cybersecurity efforts.