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[spacer.gif] Video: In State of the Union, repeating history [spacer.gif] After 62 executions, a change of heart [post-pulse.png] Obama won't raise the Medicare age Pentagon to boost cybersecurity force RICK WILKING/Reuters - A network defender works at the Air Force Space Command Network Operations & Security Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Pentagon is expanding efforts to safeguard critical computer systems and conduct cyberattacks against foreign adversaries, officials say. * Smaller Text Larger Text Text Size * Print * E-mail * Reprints By Ellen Nakashima, Jan 27, 2013 10:42 PM EST The Washington Post The Pentagon has approved a major expansion of its cybersecurity force over the next several years, increasing its size more than fivefold to bolster the nation’s ability to defend critical computer systems and conduct offensive computer operations against foreign adversaries, according to U.S. officials. The move, requested by the head of the Defense Department’s Cyber Command, is part of an effort to turn an organization that has focused largely on defensive measures into the equivalent of an Internet-era fighting force. The command, made up of about 900 personnel, will expand to include 4,900 troops and civilians. Loading... Comments * Weigh In * Corrections? Personal Post Graphic Sepcial Report: Zero Day - The Threat in Cyberspace: To succeed in addressing risks in the digital universe, global leaders must understand one of the most complex, man-made creations on Earth. Click Here to View Full Graphic Story Sepcial Report: Zero Day - The Threat in Cyberspace: To succeed in addressing risks in the digital universe, global leaders must understand one of the most complex, man-made creations on Earth. Latest from National Security Intelligence report says U.S. is target of massive cyber-espionage campaign Intelligence report says U.S. is target of massive cyber-espionage campaign Ellen Nakashima New assessment concludes efforts by China are threatening country’s economic competitiveness. Iran and Hezbollah build militia networks within Syria, officials say Iran and Hezbollah build militia networks within Syria, officials say Karen DeYoung and Joby Warrick Fighting alongside Syrian forces, they are protecting their interests in the event that Assad’s government falls. Panetta fighting to the end against proposed defense spending cuts Panetta fighting to the end against proposed defense spending cuts Craig Whitlock The outgoing Pentagon chief is waging an increasingly desperate campaign to persuade Congress. Lawmakers propose giving federal judges role in drone strikes Lawmakers propose giving federal judges role in drone strikes Greg Miller Among main obstacles to lawmakers’ proposal is executive opposition to dilution of president’s authority. Obama unlikely to reconsider arming Syrian rebels Obama unlikely to reconsider arming Syrian rebels Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung Analysis found that the weapons the administration was comfortable with would not have “tipped the scales.” Details of the plan have not been finalized, but the decision to expand the Cyber Command was made by senior Pentagon officials late last year in recognition of a growing threat in cyberspace, said officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the expansion has not been formally announced. The gravity of that threat, they said, has been highlighted by a string of sabotage attacks, including one in which a virus was used to wipe dat a from more than 30,000 computers at a Saudi Arabian state oil company last summer. The plan calls for the creation of three types of forces under the Cyber Command: “national mission forces” to protect computer systems that undergird electrical grids, power plants and other infrastructure deemed critical to national and economic security; “combat mission forces” to help commanders abroad plan and execute attacks or other offensive operations; and “cyber protection forces” to fortify the Defense Department’s networks. Targeting ‘malicious actors’ Although the command was established three years ago for some of these purposes, it has largely been consumed by the need to develop policy and legal frameworks and ensure that the military networks are defended. Current and former defense officials said the plan will allow the command to better fulfill its mission. “Given the malicious actors that are out there and the development of the technology, in my mind, there’s little doubt that some adversary is going to attempt a significant cyberattack on the United States at some point,” said William J. Lynn III, a former deputy defense secretary who helped fashion the Pentagon’s cybersecurity strategy. “The only question is whether we’re going to take the necessary steps like this one to deflect the impact of the attack in advance or . . . read about the steps we should have taken in some post-attack commission report.” Although generally agreed to by the military’s service chiefs, the plan has raised concerns about how the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force will find so many qualified cybersecurity personnel and train them. It also raises deeper issues — which are likely to intensify as the Cyber Command grows over the years — about how closely the command should be aligned with the National Security Agency, the giant electronic-spying agency that provides much of its intelligence support. The head of the Cyber Command, Gen. Keith B. Alexander, is also the director of the NSA, which employs some of the nation’s most advanced cyber-operations specialists. * Continued * 1 * 2 * Next Page * Email * Tumblr * Reddit * Stumbleupon * Digg * Delicious * Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions Loading... Comments Add your comment Read what others are saying About Badges SuperFan Badge SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams. More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur Badge Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment. 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Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. * Spam * Obscene * Duplicate * + Facebook + Twitter + Reddit + StumbleUpon + Digg + Delicious * Top world Stories * Most Popular Videos * * * * * The bizarre stories of the four other popes to have resigned in the last 1000 years Pope Benedict XVI announces resignation U.S. said to be target of massive cyber-espionage campaign Ellen Nakashima A two-minute video explains the Vatican's dilemma in finding a new Pope Pentagon extends benefits to same-sex partners of service members; not healthcare, housing Associated Press Pope Benedict fell short of John Paul II's legacy as a global political leader Egyptian court bans YouTube for a month Abigail Hauslohner Iran and Hezbollah build militia networks in Syria in event that Assad falls, officials say Karen DeYoung French, Malian troops regain control of northern Maliâs Gao; scour for Islamic fighters Associated Press London-to-LA United flight reports smoke in cockpit, lands safely in Shannon, Ireland Associated Press New urgency to cross along tougher U.S. border Nick Miroff Obama to award Medal of Honor to Army veteran for courageous leadership in Afghan firefight Associated Press Al-Qaeda's world: A fascinating map of the group's shifting global network Obama awards Medal of Honor to hero of Afghan battle William Branigin Pope Benedict fell short of John Paul II's legacy as a global political leader Max Fisher Why Switzerland has so many guns When the pope was powerful, and why that changed Max Fisher South Africaâs Ramphele discreet on challenge to African National Congress andrew England | Financial Times 9/11 defendantâs attorney says U.S. is listening in on client conversations Peter Finn The bizarre stories of the four other popes to have resigned in the last 1,000 years Max Fisher The Post Most: WorldMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours * Most Popular 1. 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