Cybersecurity: ‘All Hands Call’ says VADM Tighe

The Navy, Marines and Coast Guard released a new maritime strategy this month adding a fifth function — all-domain access — to the fleet’s traditional four — deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security. It’s an “all hands call,” VADM Jan Tighe, Commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet (FCC/C10F) briefed the Pax River community on how the new strategy impacted Cyber Command.

Last released in 2007, the newly released 2015 maritime strategy — A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower: Forward, Engaged, Ready —  addresses global and fiscal changes, including the intensifying cyber security threats. It is in large part VADM Tighe’s job to step up to this new function which demands cyberspace and information dominance. But by its nature, “cybersecurity is every commander’s job, not just VADM Tighe’s,” she said.

Cyberspace must be a “combat credible forward presence,” VADM Tighe told about 100 attendees at The Patuxent Partnership briefing. And knowledge gleaned must also be “all domain accessible” and “all integrated.” Not merely across all commands of the Navy, but across all the forces.

That is the goal of the US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), which reached operational capability Oct. 31, 2010, reports the US Strategic Command’s fact page on USCYBERCOM. The command is located at Fort Meade, MD and all services are represented. Cyber Command is charged to prepare for three missions:  Direct DoD information networks. Conduct full spectrum military cyberspace operations. Ensure US/Allied freedom of action in cyberspace and deny the same to our adversaries.

Progress is uneven, but forward moving, with the Navy frequently leading. For this VADM Tighe credits the transformation that started at the top of Navy. Nodding at VADM David Dunaway, head of Naval Air Systems Command, who had introduced her, she noted the “team at Pax River is especially helpful.” The Information Dominance Strategy on surface, air, and submarine, will be ready for the Navy in 2018 at the latest, she said.

By the nature of information disruption, the evolving threats are larger in number and scope. The effects are broad, from information loss and data theft, to cyber attacks and disruption. Cyber criminality and cyber mischief are both disruptive and must be found before they cause harm. Attacks are by no means exclusively aimed at the military. Government, health care, financial institutions, even Sony Pictures pose an entrance to attack.   There are roles for the government, for government and industry collaboration, and in the private sector to “prepare and protect itself,” VADM Tighe said.

VADM Tighe became the first female in U.S. Navy history to command a numbered fleet when she assumed command of FCC/C10F in 2014. The U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as central operational authority for networks, cryptologic/signals intelligence, information operations, cyber, electronic warfare, and space capabilities in support of forces afloat and ashore. U.S. 10th Fleet is the operational division of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders.