A leading national security think tank is urging Congress to establish an independent Cyber Force branch within the U.S. military to confront escalating cyber threats. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies released a comprehensive 40-page white paper advocating for the creation of a dedicated Cyber Force equipped with specialized personnel and a substantial budget. The report highlights systemic inefficiencies within the current cyber operations framework, emphasizing the need for a centralized cyber force capable of addressing evolving threats in cyberspace.
Researchers conducted interviews with over 75 military officers, identifying an “inefficient division of labor” across existing military branches that impedes the development of a cohesive cyber force. The proposed Cyber Force aims to streamline operations, address recruitment challenges, and provide enhanced training opportunities for cyber operators. The report underscores the urgent necessity of establishing an independent cyber service to effectively counter the cyber capabilities of adversaries like China and Russia.
The think tank emphasizes the importance of centralizing cyber, space, electronic warfare, and psychological warfare capabilities within a dedicated Cyber Force, similar to China’s Strategic Support Force. The proposed branch, initially integrated within the Department of the Army, seeks to cultivate a small yet highly skilled cyber force capable of agile responses to emerging threats. While the Cyber Force would collaborate with existing military branches, it aims to mitigate redundancies and enhance overall cyber defense capabilities across the Department of Defense’s information network and infrastructure.
