18 August, 2017
President Trump has directed that Cyber Command-which is now a part of the National Security Agency-will become its own unified military command in a move that is meant to strengthen cyberspace operations and bolster US defenses.
The elevation of the command's status "demonstrates our increased resolve against cyberspace threats and will help reassure our allies and partners and deter our adversaries", Trump wrote.
"Elevation will also ensure that critical cyberspace operations are adequately funded", he said.
Trump said he has tasked the secretary of defense with "examining the possibility of separating U.S. Cyber Command from the National Security Agency", which will "streamline command and control time-sensitive cyberspace operations".
The long-awaited move elevates U.S. Cyber Command as a so-called unified command, granting its commander additional decision-making and purchasing power.
Previously, Cyber Command was subordinate to Strategic Command, which oversees, among other things, the American nuclear arsenal. By co-locating Cyber Command with NSA, policymakers hoped that military hackers could learn from their NSA counterparts in standing up a new unit. The move presumably gives Cyber more independence.
"He will announce recommendations on this matter at a later date", Trump said.
But the Arizona Republican stressed that there was "much more to be done to prepare our nation and our military to meet our cybersecurity challenges".
The National Security Agency collects signals intelligence and is also tasked with the protection of United States communications networks and information systems.
Congress called for Cyber Command to be elevated to a unified combatant command in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.
Trump also said that Defence Secretary James Mattis will study whether Cyber Command should split from the NSA altogether.
