DOD Announces First Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace

The Department of Defense released the DoD Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace (DSOC).

The report includes five strategic initiatives:

1. Treat cyberspace as an operational domain to organize, train, and equip so that DoD can take full advantage of cyberspace’s potential
2. Employ new defense operating concepts to protect DoD networks and systems
3. Partner with other U.S. government departments and agencies and the private sector to enable a whole-of-government cybersecurity strategy
4. Build robust relationships with U.S. allies and international partners to strengthen collective cybersecurity
5. Leverage the nation’s ingenuity through an exceptional cyber workforce and rapid technological innovation

It is the first DoD unified strategy for cyberspace and officially encapsulates a new way forward for DoD’s military, intelligence and business operations. Reliable access to cyberspace is critical to U.S. national security, public safety and economic well-being. Cyber threats continue to grow in scope and severity on a daily basis. More than 60,000 new malicious software programs or variations are identified every day threatening our security, our economy and our citizens. The DoD and other governmental agencies have taken steps to anticipate, mitigate and deter these threats. Last year, DoD established U.S. Cyber Command to direct the day-to-day activities that operate and defend DoD information networks. DoD also deepened and strengthened coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to secure critical networks as evidenced by the recent DoD-DHS Memorandum of Agreement.